Vortech MP10QD
Wattage
19 W
Suits tanks
10–190 L
Flow rate
9500 L/h
Warranty
1 year
Voltage
24V DC pump, via 100-240V AC / 50-60Hz external power supply
Vortech MP10QD
A controllable, magnetically-driven wavemaker for nano and small reef tanks. The EcoTech Marine VorTech MP10QD drives broad, wall-to-wall flow in aquariums from about 9.5 to 190+ litres, with the pump motor sealed on the wet side and the QuietDrive driver clipped to the outside of the glass. It is the previous-generation MP10 driver, being progressively replaced by the newer Mobius Quiet Drive version, and remains available while stock lasts.
Key features
- Wet motor, dry driver – no wiring or motor housing inside the tank, just the magnetically-coupled pump body.
- QuietDrive magnetic drive – EcoTech's redesigned drive from the original MP10, reducing motor noise versus the first-generation pump.
- Six flow modes – Lagoon, Reef Crest, Gyre, Short Pulse, Tidal Swell and Nutrient Transport, each a different flow character rather than just a different speed.
- Multi-pump sync – up to 8 VorTech pumps can run a coordinated pattern in one tank.
- Feed and Night modes – flow pauses for feeding and drops automatically overnight.
- EcoSmart Live control – programmed from EcoTech's web-based dashboard rather than a phone app.
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | VorTech MP10QD (QuietDrive) |
| Maximum flow | 9,500 L/h (2,500 GPH) – the ceiling of the highest mode, not a sustained figure |
| Controllable flow range | 750–6,000+ L/h (200–1,500 GPH) across the six flow modes |
| Power consumption | 8–19 W, depending on mode and flow setting |
| Recommended tank size | 9.5–190+ L (2.5–50+ US gal) |
| Maximum glass thickness | 9.5 mm (3/8 in) at the mounting point |
| Control | EcoSmart Live web dashboard, onboard buttons |
| Multi-pump sync | Up to 8 pumps per tank |
| Warranty | 12 months from purchase, EcoTech product registration required within 30 days |
Performance – controllable flow range
EcoTech doesn't publish a flow-against-tank-width curve for the MP10 family, so sizing in practice is done off the controllable range and the flow character of each mode, not a single wattage figure. The pump hardware and flow figures are shared with the current MP10 Mobius Quiet Drive – only the driver electronics differ.
| Mode | Flow character |
|---|---|
| Lagoon | Gentle, randomised reef-flat style flow |
| Reef Crest | Higher-energy randomised flow for SPS-heavy tanks |
| Gyre | Directional, wall-to-wall circular flow |
| Short Pulse | Rapid on/off pulsing |
| Tidal Swell | Slow rise-and-fall surge |
| Nutrient Transport | Very low, near-still flow that lets detritus settle for the skimmer or filter to pick up |
Which VorTech MP10 do I need?
The MP10QD is being superseded by the MP10 Mobius Quiet Drive, which adds phone-app control and cloud settings backup on the same pump hardware. Choose the MP10QD if you're adding to an existing EcoSmart Live multi-pump system and want every pump on the same driver generation; otherwise the Mobius version is the current standard pick.
What's included / Not included
Included: VorTech MP10QD pump (wet side and dry-side driver), mounting hardware kit, power supply.
Not included: the aquarium or sump, additional pumps for multi-pump sync, the EcoTech MXM module needed for Apex integration, and the EcoTech battery backup unit.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for: nano and small reef tanks from roughly 9.5 to 190+ L, existing EcoSmart Live multi-pump systems, tanks needing web-scheduled flow patterns.
Not suitable for: tanks with more than 9.5 mm of glass at the mounting point – the magnetic coupling won't hold reliably beyond that. On very small nano tanks, even the lowest Nutrient Transport setting can be too strong for seahorses, pipefish or newly settled coral frags; those tanks are usually better served by a smaller, dedicated low-flow pump.
Safety
The included power supply is a switch-mode adapter rated for 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz input, so it runs safely from a standard Australian 240 V outlet without a separate transformer. Keep the driver and power supply dry and outside the tank at all times – only the pump body is designed to be submerged.
Care and maintenance
Rinse the impeller and wet-side housing periodically to clear coralline growth and detritus, which can otherwise reduce flow or cause noise. The magnetic coupling has no direct-drive shaft to wear, but the impeller is a wear item over several years of continuous running and is available as a spare part.
Warranty and delivery
Covered by EcoTech Marine's 12-month limited warranty from date of purchase, provided the product is registered with EcoTech within 30 days – in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Standard freight class, no special handling required.
Common questions
Is the MP10QD being discontinued?
It's being phased out in favour of the MP10 Mobius Quiet Drive, but remains available and fully supported while stock lasts, with the same 12-month warranty.
Can I mix an MP10QD and an MP10 Mobius on the same tank?
Yes – the Mobius driver still supports the older EcoSmart Live dashboard, so the two generations can run together and sync flow modes.
What's the difference between the controllable range and the 9,500 L/h maximum?
9,500 L/h is the output ceiling at the highest mode with nothing slowing the flow. Day-to-day reef flow is set within the 750–6,000+ L/h controllable range using the six flow modes.
Does it work with shrimp or fry in the tank?
On the lowest Nutrient Transport setting flow is very gentle, but the MP10QD is still a reef-flow pump rather than a low-flow species tank pump – for shrimp or fry-only tanks a smaller dedicated pump is usually the safer choice.
Do I need a separate controller to program it?
No. Flow modes and schedules are set from EcoTech's free EcoSmart Live web dashboard; no extra hardware controller is required.
