Picked up a couple of MP40wes for my tank. They are to replace two Hydor Koralia #8 12V Controllable Power head 's that put out 3500gph each. I have been considering a replacement for some time. With a new tank looming for the basement I would need some decent flow down there. My plan is to move the Koralia's to the basement and get something new for the display. The Koralia's have been great pumps, reliable, quiet and great flow. They are pretty large so I was looking for a smaller footprint. It was between a set of used MP40's or the newer WP40's. The MP40's fell into my lap from a reefer friend. He had an extra set that was only used for a couple weeks (actually didn't looked used, still in original packing). They were made mid 2013 and the price was good so I went for it.
Pulled out the Koralia's and installed the MP40's this evening. I was really pleased with how little space they took up in the tank. Hardly noticeable. However when turning them on I immediately knew that they weren't likely going to work out. With all the reef gear in the basement the display tank is very quiet. I enjoy that room a lot. Read books in there, surf the web on the ipad and tank watch of course. I have gotten used to the quiet place. Unfortunately that all changes with the high speed humming coming from the Vortec pumps. Even at 50% (half power) it is to loud for me. I can hear them in every room on the main floor. At 100% I can hear them upstairs. The flow is good at 100%, pretty much the same as what I had with the Koralia's but the noise is just to much for me. The other con is that I can't angle it to adjust where the flow is. This requires me to put toward's the front of the tank to keep from pointing directly at a coral. Their is a lot of neat features with these pumps with the unique mode's, battery backup ready and small foot print however the noise is likely going to just be to much. I am going to give them an honest shot and hopefully over time I will get used to the noise but I have my doubts.