Vortech MP40 (Mobius) Quiet Drive

• Magnetic, through-glass mounting – no drilling, no bulkheads, no plumbing to leak.
• QuietDrive motor – EcoTech's redesigned drive runs measurably quieter than the earlier VorTech generation, based on independent bench testing.
• Mobius app control – set constant, tidal, lagoon, short pulse or randomised wave patterns from a phone, no separate controller box required.
• Neptune Apex ready – pairs with the Apex MXM module for full integration if you already run an Apex system, but doesn't need one.
• 9 to 37 W typical draw – low running cost for the flow delivered; see the running-cost estimate below.
• Field-serviceable – the wet-side pump body wears out before the driver does, and is sold separately as a spare so you don't replace the whole unit.

A VorTech is a submersible in-tank circulation pump, not a return pump – it discharges directly into the display rather than pushing water through external plumbing, so a conventional head-height curve doesn't apply here the way it would on a sump return pump. What does vary, and matters for running cost and flow planning, is power draw and output across its operating modes:

Running cost is shown live on this page, calculated from the pump's estimated annual energy use assuming continuous operation at a typical mid-range wave setting of around 23 W. That works out to roughly 200 kWh a year – about $60 a year on a typical Queensland residential tariff, though your actual cost depends on your tariff and how the pump is programmed.

• QuietDrive dry-side driver and controller
• Wet-side propeller pump
• Foam intake guard
• Glass-mounting spacer
• Mounting hardware kit
• Power supply

• A second pump – running two or more VorTechs in Sync mode for coordinated flow patterns needs additional units, sold separately.
• A Neptune Apex controller – only needed if you want MXM integration; the pump runs standalone from the Mobius app without one.

Check two things before you buy: glass thickness and clearance. The magnetic coupling works through glass up to 19 mm, and needs about 64 mm of clear space behind the tank for the dry-side driver to sit. Acrylic compatibility isn't confirmed by the sources we checked for this listing – if you're running an acrylic tank, check with us before ordering.

• Suitable for: reef and FOWLR tanks from roughly 189 to 1,893+ L needing randomised or directional flow, glass up to 19 mm.
• Not suitable for: tanks under roughly 189 L, where this pump's flow is likely to be more than the tank needs; acrylic tanks, until fit is confirmed; glass over 19 mm without a longer-reach mounting solution.

Mains-powered, 100–240 V auto-switching, compatible with Australian 240 V/50 Hz supply. As with any submersible aquarium equipment, run it on a circuit protected by an RCD safety switch, and keep the dry-side driver and power supply clear of splashes.

Pull the wet-side pump periodically to clear detritus and coralline growth from the propeller and housing – a build-up here is the most common cause of reduced flow and increased noise over time. Check the foam intake guard regularly; a torn or missing guard is a hazard to fish, shrimp and inquisitive fingers, and can also foul the propeller.

• A spare Vortech MP40 wet side – the part that wears first, and the one you'll want on hand rather than waiting on when it does.
• A second VorTech MP40, for Sync mode flow patterns across a larger or more complex tank.
• A Neptune Apex controller, if you want to fold pump control into a wider automation setup via the MXM module.

Covered by EcoTech Marine's 12-month warranty, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Ships as a standard parcel – nothing oversize or dangerous-goods about this listing.

Does this include the wet-side pump, or do I need to buy that separately?

The wet-side pump is included. This listing is the complete unit – driver, wet-side pump, foam guard, spacer, mounting hardware and power supply.

Will one MP40 be enough for my tank?

For most reef tanks in the 189 to 1,893+ L range, one MP40 covers general circulation. Larger, more complex layouts or aquascapes with dead spots often run two or more in Sync mode rather than relying on a single pump to reach everywhere.

What glass thickness does it work through?

Up to 19 mm of float glass, using the supplied spacer and magnetic coupling. Acrylic compatibility isn't confirmed for this listing – check with us first if that's what you're mounting to.

How noisy is it in practice?

Independent bench testing found the QuietDrive generation measurably quieter than the earlier VorTech driver, particularly at idle. We haven't found a published decibel figure for this model, so we're not quoting one here.

Can I run it from a Neptune Apex system?

Yes, via the Apex MXM module, or you can run it entirely standalone through the Mobius app without any other controller.

What happens when the wet side wears out?

You replace the wet-side pump on its own – see the link above – rather than buying a whole new driver and pump.