New EcoTech Marine Vectra Return Pump

[Eud]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Recirculating skimmers are very sensitive to water levels, so I do not recommend running them off a manifold where all sorts of things can vary the flow. Much better to use a small, dedicated feed pump.

Actually, I never thought of that. Very good point. I have been running my CS1 off a manifold for two years and got occasional weird overflows or periods where it worked better or worse and I had been blaming quirks of the skimmer.

[Raul-7]

Anyone use Storm mode; how is it?

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by Eud

Actually, I never thought of that. Very good point. I have been running my CS1 off a manifold for two years and got occasional weird overflows or periods where it worked better or worse and I had been blaming quirks of the skimmer.

I run a MTC skimmer, and while I like it a lot it is a bit twitchy. Anything I can do to give it rock solid input helps keep the hair on my head

[SPotter]

So its a little over a month since I converted my two closed loop pumps from Dolphin 4750 Amp Masters to the Vectra L1's. I have made a brief list of pro's and con's. The pro's have all been discussed and are pretty obvious but I will still list them.

Pro's....
1.) Quiet....so quiet I need to put my hand on the pumps to make sure they're still running.
2.) Controllability....I love the ability to control this pump using the different settings and pump intensities but I don't get to really take advantage of them to the fullest extent and will explain in the Con's section.
3.) Energy efficient....I have gotten my first electric bill and it did go down significantly but Im not sure how much came from the pumps and how much came from the temps being cooler and the AC in my fish room not having to work as hard. I have a better estimate on cost saving during the winter months when the AC is off all together.

Con's.....
My only con is that my returns for the closed loop are 1" and I run Ocean Motion 4 ways so two outlets are active at a time. This really reduces the velocity at which the water exits the outlets. I am considering reducing the outlet nozels to 3/4" just so I can get more velocity coming out.

I have no regrets making the switch and as a result, I have added a few MP40QD's to really crank the flow in my tank and I am playing around with mixing in Radion Pro's with my MH's.

[Eud]

I'm loving the talk about quiet.

Now someone inside of EcoTech Marine should develop a version for skimmers with a stripped-down feature set, but all of the monitoring and feedback, a pinwheel impeller and an air input. 8)

There's gotta be a market for a super quiet skimmer with one of these Vectra pumps on it.

[Johnic]

How's everyone liking this pump as a return pump. I have a 90 total volume tank and I want to get the M1 pump.
Is it reliable
How is it to take apart and clean
Can I attach a 3/4" American thread Union to the output side?

[rjallen]

Originally Posted by Johnic

How's everyone liking this pump as a return pump. I have a 90 total volume tank and I want to get the M1 pump.
Is it reliable
How is it to take apart and clean
Can I attach a 3/4" American thread Union to the output side?

It depends on how much turn over you need 5x volume, M1 is fine. 10x volume- the M1 is marginal.

With my set up 120 gallon and 1" return line and 4.5" of head my M1's output was around1450 gph @ 100% power. Think your 3/4" line would produce significantly less gph.

You need to read my numerous posts. American TAPERED NPT thread is not designed to work with BST thread pattern on the block's 1.25" output on the M1. The good news is the outflow with the blue compression fittings will work as you glue [ABS to PVC special glue] part of the supplied fitting, slip fit, to 3/4" pvc so you do not have to purchase anything else if you decide to go with 3/4" plumbing. You can then, if you like, use a slip fit 3/4" union if you desire but the pumps compression union will provide the same thing as a regular union.

It is early but quality superior to almost all DC pumps this side of the German built Red Dragon pumps. So far pump has performed flawlessly. The control software has a couple of bugs but is a fantastic way to control Ecotech's pumps and lights. I have taken it apart 1 time and it was easy. To soon to need cleaning. So i cannot answer but I so nothing to believe the pump would be anymore difficult than other pumps.

RJ

[Johnic]

Thanks for info.

[ca1ore]

Once I got over the initial irritation of having to also buy a reeflink, and the lack of clear instructions on how to setup and run said irritation, I have to say it's a really impressive pump. Longevity is unclear if course, but in all other important ways the pump is a winner in my opinion.

[wcharon]

I am almost to buy it but have read several posts that they have a heat issue or people have seen an increase in the heat tank.

Can you guys please give me input???

Thanks in advance...

[SPotter]

Originally Posted by wcharon

I am almost to buy it but have read several posts that they have a heat issue or people have seen an increase in the heat tank.

Can you guys please give me input???

Thanks in advance...

i run mine externally with no heat issues. i have helped 3 friends set up systems that are running them internally and no reported heat issues.

[Johnseye]

Originally Posted by wcharon

I am almost to buy it but have read several posts that they have a heat issue or people have seen an increase in the heat tank.

Can you guys please give me input???

Thanks in advance...

It runs at about 80w. You just have to be aware that you're adding 80w of heat to your tank and what the impact is.

[wcharon]

Thanks for the feedback.

[skinsncanes]

Has anyone checked the gph? I got an M1 but only have one of my overflows hooked up. I can do 600gph per overflow yet I can have the pump on 100 percent. It goes up maybe 6/7 feet with flex tube that has a gradual turn to a sea swirl. I feel like at 100 percent I shouldn't be able to balance my system.

[peiloy3196]

What is your tube size? Frictional loss due to pipe size will greatly reduce flow rate. On top of that you will have head loss from the sea swirl.

[skinsncanes]

1 inch

[skinsncanes]

If me having a sea swirl, while using 1 in flexible tube to eliminate any 90s, Takes the pump from 2000 to 500 that's pretty crappy. I had a blueline 70hd before which would easily overflow the tank and that was 1500 gph max I believe but obviously handled head pressure much better.

[slief]

Originally Posted by skinsncanes

If me having a sea swirl, while using 1 in flexible tube to eliminate any 90s, Takes the pump from 2000 to 500 that's pretty crappy. I had a blueline 70hd before which would easily overflow the tank and that was 1500 gph max I believe but obviously handled head pressure much better.

If you are using 1" tubing, have 1 gate valve, 2' of horizontal plumbing, one 90* fitting (at the sea swirl), & a 7' head, that results in 13.73' of head pressure. The M1 will be pushing around 500-550 GPH max at that head. Those calculations are based on PVC. If you are using flex pvc, the head pressure will be increased further as flex PVC has higher friction loss than regular PVC. If there are additional unions or other fittings, head pressure will in increased further. That 90* fitting on the sea swirls adds about .75' of head.

[skinsncanes]

Well...crap. No wonder is so much quieter is doesn't push any water lol

[oseymour]

Hey guys,

I'm planning a Red Sea Reefer 350 build and the recommended flow for the return pump is 790gph.

I'm also planning on running 2 and later possibly 3 reactors with the same pump.

Will the Vectra M1 be enough without running the pump close to full?

Im currently using 2 Jebao pumps to run everything but If I'm going to use 1 pump to control basically all my filtration I want it to be something reliable. (I'm currently using Vortech powerheads so I know Ecotech's products are solid)

[rjallen]

With a five foot head and typical twists of your return line. If you use the supplied connectors, you should will run 1200- 1400 gph running at 100%. Figure what you need through your reactors and subtract that from above. Hard to give you any further advice because everyone's system is difference

It is a great pump but I am not sure you could get 3 reactors and still not run @ 100%.

RJ

[oseymour]

Originally Posted by rjallen

With a five foot head and typical twists of your return line. If you use the supplied connectors, you should will run 1200- 1400 gph running at 100%. Figure what you need through your reactors and subtract that from above. Hard to give you any further advice because everyone's system is difference

It is a great pump but I am not sure you could get 3 reactors and still not run @ 100%.

RJ

Thanks for the quick response. Should I be looking at the L1 then?

[rjallen]

The L1 would do it without a doubt

RJ

[oseymour]

Originally Posted by rjallen

The L1 would do it without a doubt

RJ

I'm going to go with the Vectra M1 and plan on using 2 reactors. If some time down the road I'll need another reactor - It will be temporary and I'll use a different pump.

[gus6464]

Does the Vectra flow rate go down the crapper when taking into account decent head pressure like most DC pumps? Talking 6ft of head.