EcoTech Marine Vortech Generation 2 Pump Keeps Falling Off.

[Jasonanatal]

Hello, I have a single EcoTech Marine Vortech Generation 2 pump installed on my 28 gallon JBJ Nano Cube and the pump on both the wet and dry side have fallen off the glass about 8 times in the last 2 days. On top of this issue I find it strand that the dry side still seems to be running instead of turning off. Any advice on this?

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Hi Jason,

In order to enable auto-disconnect shut-off you need Gen2 code and to calibrate the pump per the instruction manual. Once you've done this the pump will shut down during a de-couple.

I know that you are a long time pump user so please forgive me if some of these questions seem elementary:

Have you checked to ensure that the pin spacer is set properly and that there are no bent pins?

Is the wet side blocked for some reason? Try pulling it apart to see if something is broken or blocking it.

Do you have another pump that you can trouble shoot this one with?

-Tim

 

[Jasonanatal]

Reply to Tim of Ecotech Marine.

Reply to Tim of Ecotech Marine.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13370008#post13370008 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EcoTech Marine
Hi Jason,

In order to enable auto-disconnect shut-off you need Gen2 code and to calibrate the pump per the instruction manual. Once you've done this the pump will shut down during a de-couple.

I know that you are a long time pump user so please forgive me if some of these questions seem elementary:

Have you checked to ensure that the pin spacer is set properly and that there are no bent pins?

Is the wet side blocked for some reason? Try pulling it apart to see if something is broken or blocking it.

Do you have another pump that you can trouble shoot this one with?

-Tim

Tim, well I checked everything that you asked and it seems that nothing is out of place. As for the auto-disconnect shutoff, I just want to make sure I already have a generation 2 pump so do I still need to do an upgrade to get this feature? If so are there instructions on how I go about doing that. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Hi Jason,

Did you take the wetside apart and inspect all the components?

You can tell if you have Gen2 code by the button sequence which flashes when you first turn the pump on. See below:

Per the image above, if it blinks green twice then you have version 2.x

-Tim

 

[Jasonanatal]

Reply to Tim of EcoTech Marine.

Reply to Tim of EcoTech Marine.

Tim looks like were all set here with the falling off thing. All resolved. But I actually cannot get my wave to save. It tells me to hold Set and nothing happens. Any insight on this.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Hi Jason,

Have you double checked to ensure you have Gen2 code? The save wave function is only available with Gen2 code. After setting the pulse frequency that is when you hold set. You should hold it until a green light appears in the blink sequence.

What did you find that was causing the falling off issue?

-Tim

 

[Jasonanatal]

Reply to Tim of EcoTech Marine.

Reply to Tim of EcoTech Marine.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13376328#post13376328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EcoTech Marine
Hi Jason,

Have you double checked to ensure you have Gen2 code? The save wave function is only available with Gen2 code. After setting the pulse frequency that is when you hold set. You should hold it until a green light appears in the blink sequence.

What did you find that was causing the falling off issue?

-Tim

Tim, the issue was a very stubborn Sea Hair wanting to eat algae from the protective housing on the wet side. LOL I caught him in the act. As far as the Gen 2 Code when I unplug my Vortech and Plug is Back in I get 2 blue lights the 1 green light. that means I have firmware version 2 and 1 update after that?

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Jason-

Correct, version 2.1. There should be no reason why you can't save a wave, I recommend you keep messing with it until you get it right. Maybe you are in the wrong mode when you try to save your wave. You have to be in pulse mode (short or long) and once the wave is set it will blink bright blue, dim blue, green, bright blue, dim blue, green.

-Tim

 

[Jasonanatal]

Reply to Tim of EcoTech Marine.

Reply to Tim of EcoTech Marine.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13376560#post13376560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EcoTech Marine
Jason-

Correct, version 2.1. There should be no reason why you can't save a wave, I recommend you keep messing with it until you get it right. Maybe you are in the wrong mode when you try to save your wave. You have to be in pulse mode (short or long) and once the wave is set it will blink bright blue, dim blue, green, bright blue, dim blue, green.

-Tim

Tim, yep I'm in the right mode Short pulse and I set the strength and pulse duration I hold Set and nothing.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Jason,

If you want you can send it in to us to inspect. There isn't any real way for that aspect of the program not to function and other aspects to function correctly so I am not sure what we will find. It's up to you.

-Tim

 

[Jasonanatal]

Reply to Tim of EcoTech Marine.

Reply to Tim of EcoTech Marine.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13376849#post13376849 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EcoTech Marine
Jason,

If you want you can send it in to us to inspect. There isn't any real way for that aspect of the program not to function and other aspects to function correctly so I am not sure what we will find. It's up to you.

-Tim

Tim, I only have this one VorTech currently on my aquarium so I'm guessing I have to life without being able to save my wave. Thank you for the assistance.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Jason,

If you'd like we can try and work something out with you. I'm frustrated by this too and want to make sure that you are able to use our product to its full capacity.

Email us at service@ecotechmarine.com and speak with Steve. Maybe we can arrange a swap or something.

-Tim

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Jason,

I made a mistake. Gen2 code is rev 2.2 so you actually have Gen1 code. That would explain why you can't save a wave.

-Tim

 

[Jasonanatal]

How can I get that without killing my aquarium?

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Your best bet will be to find someone close by that has a Gen2 WWD so he can upgrade you. Another option is to pick up a cheap backup powerhead to use on the tank while you send the driver in to be upgraded. You may also want to pick up a Gen2 magnet kit at the same time if you haven't already. Having backup equipment is the best thing one can ever do for a reef tank. You never know when a brown out or power surge may take out a power supply or some component of a very critical part of your reef tank.

-Tim

 

[Jasonanatal]

Tim, thank you for the information but I'm so ticked right now because I specifically asked that sales people at House of Fins in Stamford, CT if this was a Generation 2 Pump. So that being said I cannot save waves and I don't have the Generation 2 Magnet? How much is the Generation 2 Magnet and can I purchase that directly from EcoTech Marine? Also what are the benefits behind the new Magnet?

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Jason,

If you purchased the pump after the end of May then you can get your Gen2 magnet for free, just send us an email with a proof of purchase and your warranty registration card. Otherwise the magnet is very economical at $9.45.

The Gen2 magnet is fully plastic encapsulated magnet which never requires replacement. It is a better design over the old magnet. The kit also comes with a plastic screw and nut so there are no longer any metal parts on the wet side. If your wet side already has a plastic screw and nut then you have a Gen2 wet side at least.

-Tim

 

[Jasonanatal]

Tim, I cannot tell you how ticket off I am at my local retail store "House of Fins" where I purchased my Vortech about 3 months ago. I had purchased it in good faith since they are a very popular and well known store in CT. and they said we sell nothing but the Generation 2. Well my pump fell off again and I came to see the Metal Magent fully exposed and the metal screw. I don't have the receipt and I'm pretty sure I can't get a copy. Who do I contact to purchase the upgrade? Thank again for allowing me to vent and assisting me with this.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Jason-

Like I said above, if you purchased the pump after the end of May (which you must have done because prior to that no one even knew what a Gen2 was) then you are elligeable for a free upgrade to the Gen2 magnet. Just email us at service@ecotechmarine.com with a copy of your receipt and warranty registration card.

There's no reason to get upset at HOF's, they probably just made a mistake.

-Tim

 

[Jasonanatal]

Reply to Tim of EcoTech Marine.

Reply to Tim of EcoTech Marine.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13468313#post13468313 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EcoTech Marine
Jason-

Like I said above, if you purchased the pump after the end of May (which you must have done because prior to that no one even knew what a Gen2 was) then you are elligeable for a free upgrade to the Gen2 magnet. Just email us at service@ecotechmarine.com with a copy of your receipt and warranty registration card.

There's no reason to get upset at HOF's, they probably just made a mistake.

-Tim

Tim, I will try and get a receipt but if I don't can I still contact them and ask them to bill my Credit Card? Thanks for your help!