EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40 Release Information
- Thread starter EcoTech Marine
- Start date
melev
Well-known member
Great point. I have mine about 4" from the water's surface now. I didn't think about the reduced water level when the power is out, which would put it around 2" from the pump. That should be enough to draw in a little air. A hobbyist could probably rig some airline tubing to venturi in some air if they didn't want to move their pump.
King-Kong
New member
I am expecting my pump to arrive today, but something I wanted to discuss was the Battery Backup's (BB's) running time.
Since the Vortech seems to be smart enough to sense it's use and ramp itself down, has there been consideration in adding an initial-delay before the BB is actually used?
For example, when my power goes out (florida hurricane magnet, here), I do not begin to be concerned for my tank until I enter hour 6+ of no power. At 12 hours I begin to aerate.
Have you given consideration to placing a delay so that the BB isnt started right away? It probably isn't necessary right away, and could extend the life longer if you just waited. This way, if the power outtage lasts several days, the tank may have a better chance.
Just a thought.
Since the Vortech seems to be smart enough to sense it's use and ramp itself down, has there been consideration in adding an initial-delay before the BB is actually used?
For example, when my power goes out (florida hurricane magnet, here), I do not begin to be concerned for my tank until I enter hour 6+ of no power. At 12 hours I begin to aerate.
Have you given consideration to placing a delay so that the BB isnt started right away? It probably isn't necessary right away, and could extend the life longer if you just waited. This way, if the power outtage lasts several days, the tank may have a better chance.
Just a thought.
I have to agree with Greg (GSchiemer) about no delay for two reasons. With a DSB, depletion of oxygen can speed up even faster than suggested in stagnant water and for me, I'd want to see the backup, up and running to keep me from needing oxygen.
You can lengthen the BB time by having a slower setting on the pump or if you added a 2nd battery (daisy chain style using the 2nd output port to link a 2nd battery to the first battery) you would double the run time. We'll make a battery only option for those who want / need the extra protection. Finally if you have two pumps and one BB you can connect both to a BB but you'll get 1/2 the run time.
Andy
You can lengthen the BB time by having a slower setting on the pump or if you added a 2nd battery (daisy chain style using the 2nd output port to link a 2nd battery to the first battery) you would double the run time. We'll make a battery only option for those who want / need the extra protection. Finally if you have two pumps and one BB you can connect both to a BB but you'll get 1/2 the run time.
Andy
King-Kong
New member
What have you seen in reference to this?
The most simple comparison I have is shipping. We regularly ship large fish in small containers for over 24 hour periods. I find it hard to beleive you'd have death before 6 hours because of oxygen depletion in a tank that's responsibly stocked.
I understand your point but there's more water movement in a small container being shipped than a motionless tank.
Also, oxygen is often used to top off bagged fish to survive transit. The DSB variable I come across several times indicates that having one accelerates the oxygen depletion.
Andy
Also, oxygen is often used to top off bagged fish to survive transit. The DSB variable I come across several times indicates that having one accelerates the oxygen depletion.
Andy
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
It's not the amount of water movement that's in the bag, its the amount of bacteria, plant life, and other organisms that aren't in the bag....
When the power goes out on a fully stocked reef tank, every photosynthetic organism will begin to respire (consume oxygen) on top of all the respiring organisms that already consume oxygen. Things can go down hill very fast. While it would length the total useful time to have the battery backup not switch on for a certain lenth of time, it's simply not the safest way to accomplish the task we're shooting for here.
If you need more run time, simply run two battery backups together: you will achive 60 hour run time. That's a LONG time for less money than any other option.
-Tim
When the power goes out on a fully stocked reef tank, every photosynthetic organism will begin to respire (consume oxygen) on top of all the respiring organisms that already consume oxygen. Things can go down hill very fast. While it would length the total useful time to have the battery backup not switch on for a certain lenth of time, it's simply not the safest way to accomplish the task we're shooting for here.
If you need more run time, simply run two battery backups together: you will achive 60 hour run time. That's a LONG time for less money than any other option.
-Tim
Dear King Kong,
This is why I used the phrase "depending upon the aquarium." A small aquarium with a DSB, tight-fitting cover, temp in the 80's, and large amount of fish and corals will consume dissolved oxygen very quickly, and things will begin to suffer within an hour of no water movement. OTOH, a lightly stocked large BB aquarium at a temp of 77 degrees using a battery-operated air pump can go 6 hours or more without additional water movement.
Unfortunately, the battery backup can't be designed to accommodate every aquarium setup, so it's best to be conservative and have it kick in immediately after the power is interrupted.
BTW, the analogy to a fish in a bag is a poor one. First, that bag is filled with pure oxygen; it's in the dark and it's typically subject to water motion. And we’ve all seen our share of dead fish in bags. Even those that arrive alive are typically highly stressed and physiologically compromised.
There’s no reason to subject our aquarium inhabitants to any more stress than necessary in the event of a power outage by delaying the return of water motion and the related replenishment of oxygen.
Greg
This is why I used the phrase "depending upon the aquarium." A small aquarium with a DSB, tight-fitting cover, temp in the 80's, and large amount of fish and corals will consume dissolved oxygen very quickly, and things will begin to suffer within an hour of no water movement. OTOH, a lightly stocked large BB aquarium at a temp of 77 degrees using a battery-operated air pump can go 6 hours or more without additional water movement.
Unfortunately, the battery backup can't be designed to accommodate every aquarium setup, so it's best to be conservative and have it kick in immediately after the power is interrupted.
BTW, the analogy to a fish in a bag is a poor one. First, that bag is filled with pure oxygen; it's in the dark and it's typically subject to water motion. And we’ve all seen our share of dead fish in bags. Even those that arrive alive are typically highly stressed and physiologically compromised.
There’s no reason to subject our aquarium inhabitants to any more stress than necessary in the event of a power outage by delaying the return of water motion and the related replenishment of oxygen.
Greg
Tim:
Do you have an ETA on the second generation of pumps?
I'd like to get one after the kinks have been worked out. I'm not one for the bleeding edge. I understand your customer support is excellent but would find it frustrating going through shipping and reshipping parts that need to be upgraded. I like to plug things in and forget about it until maintenance time.
Folks here are impressed with your product and want to stand behind you. You'll find me there too but a little towards the back. I'm just waiting for stability. Keep plugging away dude!
Do you have an ETA on the second generation of pumps?
I'd like to get one after the kinks have been worked out. I'm not one for the bleeding edge. I understand your customer support is excellent but would find it frustrating going through shipping and reshipping parts that need to be upgraded. I like to plug things in and forget about it until maintenance time.
Folks here are impressed with your product and want to stand behind you. You'll find me there too but a little towards the back. I'm just waiting for stability. Keep plugging away dude!
ReefWaters
Premium Member
I have a few questions....
How did you determine the 30 hour run time for the BB? Was this from testing or from a formula?
Will it be possible and/or easy to recharge the BB at a remote location? For example, at friend or family member's house. I ask b/c in the South East, we often lose power in parts of the city but not others. It would really be nice to be able to take the battery somewhere, charge it, and bring it back to your tank that is without power.
How long does it take to fully recharge the battery if it is fully drained?
Once the controller is out, will the BB run the pumps according to the controller settings or just at one constant speed according to the dial on the white box?
Thank you for listening to our feedback.
How did you determine the 30 hour run time for the BB? Was this from testing or from a formula?
Will it be possible and/or easy to recharge the BB at a remote location? For example, at friend or family member's house. I ask b/c in the South East, we often lose power in parts of the city but not others. It would really be nice to be able to take the battery somewhere, charge it, and bring it back to your tank that is without power.
How long does it take to fully recharge the battery if it is fully drained?
Once the controller is out, will the BB run the pumps according to the controller settings or just at one constant speed according to the dial on the white box?
Thank you for listening to our feedback.
1SickReefer
New member
I'll 2nd that!! I want 2 also and have been following them from Macna last year in DC. But I refuse to Beta test a product for 300 + bucks, I too am waiting for all the kinks to be worked out.
1SickReefer
New member
I'll have to agree with that
mainly because my wife would have them in her hand if she had to fool with this while I was away. (I travel M-F I must have automation and reliability) hence my sig 
1SickReefer
New member
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FuzzyLogic
Member
I asked the sames questions and Tim said:
'the beginning of 07 is the release date for pumps with the wireless capable driver. All pumps going out the door from the factory feature as many upgrades to the original design as we have thoroughly tested and deem worthy of shipment. Right now pumps are going out with the new gasket. The new driveshaft will probably go out sometime in late August once we've tested it longer.
-Tim
