{"product_id":"vortech-mp40-mobius-quiet-drive","title":"Vortech MP40 (Mobius) Quiet Drive","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApp-controlled wave flow, quiet enough to forget it's running.\u003c\/strong\u003e The EcoTech Marine Vortech MP40 Mobius QuietDrive is the complete propeller pump: dry-side driver, wet-side pump and mounting hardware in one box, controlled from a phone over Wi-Fi. It moves up to 18,900 L\/h and suits reef and FOWLR tanks from around 189 to 1,893 L and beyond, mounted through glass up to 19 mm thick with no drilling and no plumbing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMagnetic, through-glass mounting\u003c\/strong\u003e — no drilling, no bulkheads, no plumbing to leak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuietDrive motor\u003c\/strong\u003e — EcoTech's redesigned drive runs measurably quieter than the earlier VorTech generation, based on independent bench testing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMobius app control\u003c\/strong\u003e — set constant, tidal, lagoon, short pulse or randomised wave patterns from a phone, no separate controller box required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNeptune Apex ready\u003c\/strong\u003e — pairs with the Apex MXM module for full integration if you already run an Apex system, but doesn't need one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e9 to 37 W typical draw\u003c\/strong\u003e — low running cost for the flow delivered; see the running-cost estimate below.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eField-serviceable\u003c\/strong\u003e — 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpec\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eValue\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlow, maximum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 18,900 L\/h (5,000+ US gal\/h) advertised\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower draw\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9–37 W advertised; independent testing measured 6–39 W across the constant-speed range, and up to approximately 47 W in wave (Gyre) mode\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVoltage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100–240 V, 50–60 Hz — auto-switching, compatible with Australian 240 V mains\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended tank size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 189 to 1,893+ L (50 to 500+ US gallons)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum glass thickness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e19 mm (0.75 in), magnetic coupling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDry-side dimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eØ76 x 57 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWet-side dimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eØ76 x 76 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClearance required behind tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 64 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCable, pump to controller\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 2.4 m\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eControl\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMobius app (Wi-Fi), onboard physical controls, optional Neptune Apex MXM integration\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 months, EcoTech Marine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePerformance: power draw and flow by mode\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMode\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower draw\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFlow output\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLowest constant setting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvertised from 9 W; measured from approximately 6 W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGentle circulation, suitable near frags and fry\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum constant flow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 37 W advertised; measured up to approximately 39 W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 15,900 L\/h (4,200 US gal\/h) measured in independent testing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum wave (Gyre) mode\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMeasured up to approximately 47 W at peak\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 18,900 L\/h (5,000+ US gal\/h) advertised\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRunning 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuietDrive dry-side driver and controller\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWet-side propeller pump\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFoam intake guard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGlass-mounting spacer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting hardware kit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower supply\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eNot included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA second pump — running two or more VorTechs in Sync mode for coordinated flow patterns needs additional units, sold separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Neptune Apex controller — only needed if you want MXM integration; the pump runs standalone from the Mobius app without one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it fit my tank?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e reef and FOWLR tanks from roughly 189 to 1,893+ L needing randomised or directional flow, glass up to 19 mm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSafety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMains-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePull 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA spare \u003ca href=\"\/products\/vortech-mp40-wet-side\"\u003eVortech MP40 wet side\u003c\/a\u003e — the part that wears first, and the one you'll want on hand rather than waiting on when it does.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA second VorTech MP40, for Sync mode flow patterns across a larger or more complex tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Neptune Apex controller, if you want to fold pump control into a wider automation setup via the MXM module.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCovered 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes this include the wet-side pump, or do I need to buy that separately?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wet-side pump is included. This listing is the complete unit — driver, wet-side pump, foam guard, spacer, mounting hardware and power supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill one MP40 be enough for my tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat glass thickness does it work through?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUp 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow noisy is it in practice?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIndependent 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I run it from a Neptune Apex system?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, via the Apex MXM module, or you can run it entirely standalone through the Mobius app without any other controller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat happens when the wet side wears out?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou replace the wet-side pump on its own — see the link above — rather than buying a whole new driver and pump.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"EcoTech Marine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55293349331235,"sku":"MP40MQD","price":879.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/vortech-mp40-mobius-quiet-dr-43203669033251.webp?v=1790235416","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/vortech-mp40-mobius-quiet-drive","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}