EcoTech Vectra L1 after 1.5 years of use - Page 3

ca1ore · 08/24/2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02tts

Rectorseal T plus 2 - which if memory serves me right is ABS friendly but I could be wrong.

You are right, that is the correct one to use for ABS.

ca1ore · 08/24/2018, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02tts

On the MP40, it’s been in the tank for several days now, still spins around if I approach 75-80%. I’ll let it sit another few days but I don’t see this stopping.

I have had this with the MP40 on 3/4" walls. Just lower the speed to 20% for a few days and the wetside should stop turning.

ca1ore · 08/24/2018, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zalick

Terrible! I have an L1 and M1.... About 1.5 years old too. I would expect them to last MUCH longer for the price we paid.

In the interest of offering one data point, at least, my M1 was bought on Day 1 and has been running flawlessly since then (I think almost 3 years). I still use Teflon tape though.

Sisterlimonpot · 08/24/2018, 10:53 AM

When I first saw the picture, I suspected that the blue cap was over tightened, and created a tight bond with the male threads. During tightening there was fatigue to the plastic ruining the integrity of the joint. when you tried to remove it, it crumbled. Then I read that you treated the threads as a means to seal which leads me to think that you probably did over tightened the joint. If the O-ring didn't create a seal than it wasn't seated properly.

I'm glad to read that Ecotech is going to replace the damaged parts, even though I feel that it was user error more than it was manufacturer defect. That's what makes Ecotech Customer Service 2nd to none!!!

tkeracer619 · 08/24/2018, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EcoTech Marine

Sorry for my late reply on all of this.

The issue in this case is pipe dope. Of the issues that have come through our CS for the Vectra pumps, plastics crumbling like this has never been one of them.

I spent some time to do some research on this yesterday and have determined that many pipe dopes are designed for use with PVC or metal only and contain petroleum additives. Our volute and quick couplings are made from ABS plastic, not PVC, and thus are not chemically resistant to the chemicals within pipe dope. It can or will cause material to degrade over time resulting in these brittle failure that you see or even the material crumbling like a powder.

We'd be happy to provide you replacement parts, just call in and mention my reply at the end of this thread. Mistakes happen on both sides of the equation and we're not in the business of making enemies of our customers. This time around please use teflon tape though, just to be safe.

O2tts-

I'm sorry about your issues on 3/4" glass. My official recommendation is to slow the pump down to a speed where it does not spin and leave it at that speed for 2-3 days. The wet side of the pump will nest into the glass during that time at which point you'll be able to up the speed.

T

I'm not sure of many companies out there who's president trolls forums wearing a customer service shirt. I think more of them should though because even with excellent support sometimes extenuating circumstances happen that are outside normal warranty guidelines. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02tts

Appreciate someone from ETM jumping in.

The president even

. Update us on how this turns out, looks like it's going to be a favorable ending.

02tts · 08/24/2018, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

When I first saw the picture, I suspected that the blue cap was over tightened, and created a tight bond with the male threads. During tightening there was fatigue to the plastic ruining the integrity of the joint. when you tried to remove it, it crumbled. Then I read that you treated the threads as a means to seal which leads me to think that you probably did over tightened the joint. If the O-ring didn't create a seal than it wasn't seated properly.

I'm glad to read that Ecotech is going to replace the damaged parts, even though I feel that it was user error more than it was manufacturer defect. That's what makes Ecotech Customer Service 2nd to none!!!

While I appreciate the thought of blaming this on user error I will say its not my first pump, it’s not my first plumbing job and it’s certainly not my first tank but above all I also don’t believe am I strong enough to make plastic breakdown and crumble into pieces. If I had tightened it to the point of failure the plastic would of broke off clean, not crumble, and not flex. The large piece that came off is soft enough where I can flex it like rubber.

While Rectorseal T2 is approved for plastic I suspect the chemical reaction is what broke it down. Only thing that makes sense since there is nothing outside of the tank or inside that would influence a reaction, other than maybe the foul smell coming off the protein skimmer, maybe that played a part, who knows. Coincidently the return section’s integrity is just fine.

I think it’s clear the issue was most likely caused by a chemical reaction and breakdown, however; it shouldn’t have given Rectorseal’s recommended usage.

But sure, we can blame my super strength as the cause, why not.

02tts · 08/24/2018, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

I'm not sure of many companies out there who's president trolls forums wearing a customer service shirt. I think more of them should though because even with excellent support sometimes extenuating circumstances happen that are outside normal warranty guidelines. Pretty cool if you ask me.

The president even

. Update us on how this turns out, looks like it's going to be a favorable ending.

Sure. I’ll contact them later today.

02tts · 08/24/2018, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

I have had this with the MP40 on 3/4" walls. Just lower the speed to 20% for a few days and the wetside should stop turning.

Right at lower speed it’s fine. I have it at 50% now and will let it run like that for another week, then I’ll crank it up to 80-90% and see how it behaves. Hopefully it sticks

RussM · 08/24/2018, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02tts

Rectorseal T plus 2

Are you positive? What I see in the pic in the first post looks like Rectorseal #5, which is yellow-brown and soft-sets. T+2 is white and does not set or harden. The color and the somewhat crumbly appearance after disassembly definitely looks like #5 to me.

02tts · 08/24/2018, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussM

Are you positive? What I see in the pic in the first post looks like Rectorseal #5, which is yellow-brown and soft-sets. T+2 is white and does not set or harden. The color and the somewhat crumbly appearance after disassembly definitely looks like #5 to me.

I’m 90% sure yes. I just checked the other 5 pumps and the seal is dirty-whitish looking under the limited light. But I do use #5 on any other unions outside of pump unions. It’s always possible it’s #5, I can’t rule that out as that was 1.5 years ago. And if it is indeed #5, shame on me and FYI to others. Not sure how to determine for sure, it is soft and squishy so I think it’s T2 maybe gone bad but I honestly cannot rule out the possibility #5 was used by mistake.

Update: To be clear, the other pumps I know for a fact are using T2. As 2 of them were setup 4-6 months ago and they look the same. Wonder if if was just a bad batch of the Rectorseal - I honestly don’t know, but I do know the other pump outer rings look the same and I know for a fact it’s T2 on those. But unfortunately I honestly can’t rule out using #5 on the one in question.

dave540 · 08/24/2018, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbulb2

Though they're not DC, I have several Ehiem pumps that are pushing over decade now and look like new with a simple vinegar soak. A pump shouldn't disintegrate in a year and a half no matter what.

FB

I have had the same experience with Ehiem pumps. My manifold pump is at least ten years old.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02tts · 08/27/2018, 04:42 PM

I spoke to EcoTec Marine on Friday and spoke to Mike in Support. He was very courteous and professional and advised the pump will be replaced in full. Needed some info from me so I called back today and spoke to Chris, who was also a pleasure to speak to and was very helpful. My past support experiences were not as pleasant and so I welcomed the change.

I did not expect nor called asking for a pump replacement as I know it was well outside of warranty, but they are replacing the whole pump for which I am very happy about. I will now have a spare in case the other two experience the same failure, which I am really hoping they don’t. Will be sending the pump to Ecotec and I’m sure they’ll look into the issue which at this point I’m pretty confident it’s due to a chemical reaction of sorts although interestingly enough and may or may not be related as to an attributing factor, when I took the pump apart the center magnet is pretty much fused into place, I could not pull it out for the life of me. Now, I know the pump ran HOT and ran at 70%, the new pump runs WAY cooler and that’s at 90-100% so could the heat have attributed to it...? Maybe, probably, not sure. I’ll leave that to the experts but another factor to consider for when the pump is looked at.

Thank you for whomever it was from
EcoTec that intervened, much obliged. I need another flow pump so I’ll be ordering an MP60 tomorrow. MP40 still spins at 100% after running for a few min but at 90% seems to be holding now. Will let it ride out another week and hopefully its sets in.

rtague · 08/27/2018, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbulb2

Though they're not DC, I have several Ehiem pumps that are pushing over decade now and look like new with a simple vinegar soak. A pump shouldn't disintegrate in a year and a half no matter what.

FB

+++++1 ,I have 2 eheim 2260 going on 8 years, no issues, an occasional vinegar bath,thats it, there's no way a pump 11/2 years old should fall apart like that, people get caught up in the latest gadgets and forget about old school reliables,these vectra thingies are probably just as overrated as their powerheads.

tkeracer619 · 08/27/2018, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02tts

I spoke to EcoTec Marine on Friday and spoke to Mike in Support. He was very courteous and professional and advised the pump will be replaced in full. Needed some info from me so I called back today and spoke to Chris, who was also a pleasure to speak to and was very helpful. My past support experiences were not as pleasant and so I welcomed the change.

I did not expect nor called asking for a pump replacement as I know it was well outside of warranty, but they are replacing the whole pump for which I am very happy about. I will now have a spare in case the other two experience the same failure, which I am really hoping they don’t. Will be sending the pump to Ecotec and I’m sure they’ll look into the issue which at this point I’m pretty confident it’s due to a chemical reaction of sorts although interestingly enough and may or may not be related as to an attributing factor, when I took the pump apart the center magnet is pretty much fused into place, I could not pull it out for the life of me. Now, I know the pump ran HOT and ran at 70%, the new pump runs WAY cooler and that’s at 90-100% so could the heat have attributed to it...? Maybe, probably, not sure. I’ll leave that to the experts but another factor to consider for when the pump is looked at.

Thank you for whomever it was from
EcoTec that intervened, much obliged. I need another flow pump so I’ll be ordering an MP60 tomorrow. MP40 still spins at 100% after running for a few min but at 90% seems to be holding now. Will let it ride out another week and hopefully its sets in.

Hey man that's awesome! I love my Vectra, glad you were able to get it worked out. Do you already have an mp60? I love my 40s but the 60s are a whole other animal! They push so much water, has to be the best prop pump of all time!

02tts · 08/27/2018, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Hey man that's awesome! I love my Vectra, glad you were able to get it worked out. Do you already have an mp60? I love my 40s but the 60s are a whole other animal! They push so much water, has to be the best prop pump of all time!

I do not have an mp60 nor have I seen one in action personally. I feel the 40 is actually a little under powered for my tank, which is 8ft long. I suspect the mp60 will move more volume and allow me to get rid of these dead spots I have which promotes growth. Plus it’s up to 1” thick glass so I’m confident I won’t have the issue I’m seeing with the mp40.

tkeracer619 · 08/27/2018, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02tts

I do not have an mp60 nor have I seen one in action personally. I feel the 40 is actually a little under powered for my tank, which is 8ft long. I suspect the mp60 will move more volume and allow me to get rid of these dead spots I have which promotes growth. Plus it’s up to 1” thick glass so I’m confident I won’t have the issue I’m seeing with the mp40.

Yeah, the 60 is a whole different ballgame. It moves a ton of water.

homer1475 · 08/28/2018, 03:09 AM

Interesting that you have mp40 spinning on 3/4 glass.

I have mp10's on 1/2" glass and even at 100% they do not spin. I would think that a mp40 would hold better on 1/4" thicker glass.

alton · 08/28/2018, 01:06 PM

I am glad this issue was resolved. Ecotech's service has been spot on with me, first with a controller that was replaced, and then when my M1 started a whine, the pump was replaced. The only thing I would suggest is try the pump without any tape or dope. My M1 is running externally and no leaks. I chamfered the edges of the pvc and glued them with multi purpose cement.

08/24/2018, 10:53 AM	#54
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	When I first saw the picture, I suspected that the blue cap was over tightened, and created a tight bond with the male threads. During tightening there was fatigue to the plastic ruining the integrity of the joint. when you tried to remove it, it crumbled. Then I read that you treated the threads as a means to seal which leads me to think that you probably did over tightened the joint. If the O-ring didn't create a seal than it wasn't seated properly. I'm glad to read that Ecotech is going to replace the damaged parts, even though I feel that it was user error more than it was manufacturer defect. That's what makes Ecotech Customer Service 2nd to none!!! __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

08/27/2018, 04:42 PM	#62
02tts Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Palm Beaches Posts: 671	EcoTech Vectra L1 after 1.5 years of use I spoke to EcoTec Marine on Friday and spoke to Mike in Support. He was very courteous and professional and advised the pump will be replaced in full. Needed some info from me so I called back today and spoke to Chris, who was also a pleasure to speak to and was very helpful. My past support experiences were not as pleasant and so I welcomed the change. I did not expect nor called asking for a pump replacement as I know it was well outside of warranty, but they are replacing the whole pump for which I am very happy about. I will now have a spare in case the other two experience the same failure, which I am really hoping they don’t. Will be sending the pump to Ecotec and I’m sure they’ll look into the issue which at this point I’m pretty confident it’s due to a chemical reaction of sorts although interestingly enough and may or may not be related as to an attributing factor, when I took the pump apart the center magnet is pretty much fused into place, I could not pull it out for the life of me. Now, I know the pump ran HOT and ran at 70%, the new pump runs WAY cooler and that’s at 90-100% so could the heat have attributed to it...? Maybe, probably, not sure. I’ll leave that to the experts but another factor to consider for when the pump is looked at. Thank you for whomever it was from EcoTec that intervened, much obliged. I need another flow pump so I’ll be ordering an MP60 tomorrow. MP40 still spins at 100% after running for a few min but at 90% seems to be holding now. Will let it ride out another week and hopefully its sets in. Last edited by 02tts; 08/27/2018 at 04:58 PM.

08/28/2018, 03:09 AM	#67
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Interesting that you have mp40 spinning on 3/4 glass. I have mp10's on 1/2" glass and even at 100% they do not spin. I would think that a mp40 would hold better on 1/4" thicker glass. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"