EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40 Release Information

[serpentman]

I have run 2 Vortech pumps on my 180 for about 9 months and have had several issues. When they work, they are a great pump and provide exceptional flow. I can say they have been EXTREMELY quick to get them resolved, however I am a bit disappointed to need service so soon and so many times.

Given the reliability of the pumps themselves, I have several hesitations about the new controllers, if and when they do finally come out. As much as it pains me to say this, I highly recommend ET takes the appropriate time and irons out all the kinks before releasing them. I would love to hold on to these pumps but if I continue to have issues, I may be forced to send them over to the used goods forum.

 

[jnarowe]

I just really hope that Eco-Tech will find a way to iincorporate a link to my AquaController. One of the great things about the controller is the ability to network in from a remote location and see my reef status, as well as getting email alarms for out-of-condition states.

Perhaps some kind of link to Aquanotes or a module to communicate with the controller?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

serpentman...I have run 2 vortech's for ~ 10 months as well, without one problem. Perhaps you are trying to use timed , which is obviously not a good idea with the pumps in their current set-up?
But if you are unhappy with them, which you must be after your post, why not sell them?

 

[jay24k]

I have 2 and I haven't had any issues. A couple times they stopped with the red light but I ended up reseating it and it stopped that issue. I run mine full blast as well.

 

[Giovanni]

I have had mine for 8-10 months running on an ACIII with 5 min on and 3 min off without any problems. Not sure I need the single controller but may buy it for the warranty extension as I have had and continue to have vibration/noise issues with one of my pumps. The other is very quiet. I think the issue is an unbalanced magnet on the dry side, though I am not in the house much to hear it this time of year.

 

[jnarowe]

very interesting Giovanni! I wonder why when I had mine on 5min ON/3min OFF it corrupted the drivers but in your case that isn't happening?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10196295#post10196295 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe

It was a calculated risk for me to build my system sans closed loop, and unfortunately, so far I have gotten the short end of the stick.


Tim has been extremely helpful in trying to solve the many issues I have encountered, and I respect and applaud him for that effort. I just wish it wasn't necessary.

1. What exactly does the closed loop have for flow control and varibility and off&on capability?

2. Well that's a back handed compliment if I ever saw one, lol.

 

[jnarowe]

Well Matt, closed loops have been used for a long time and there are all sorts of ways to control them. The pumps can be on timers, there is more than one way to vary flow between various outputs, and flow control can be accomplished with valves etc. Also, CLs outputs can be re-positioned just by changing the pipe inside the tank.

I don't think a CL compares in fine tuning to the Vortech, but essentially, until the variable speed controller is introduced, we have about the same function as a CL right now. A CL is much easier to hide, but takes a bunch more electricity to run...so there are advantages to both methods.

I really was extremely impressed with the idea behind Vortech technology and built my system around it. If I were to do it again, it would be a tough choice between the two, but I know that I would at least plumb my tank for CL just to give me the extra option. Looking back on my decision process, I really didn't consider visual clutter when I went with the Vortech, and while they are definitely better than other PH options, they are still visible in the tank.

One thought I am working on is to place all my Vortechs low in the tank, hidden by rock, and to build a large wave maker/surge tank to keep the upper 1/2 of the tank in motion. So many ways to do it!

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10252324#post10252324 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
Well Matt, closed loops have been used for a long time and there are all sorts of ways to control them. The pumps can be on timers, there is more than one way to vary flow between various outputs, and flow control can be accomplished with valves etc. Also, CLs outputs can be re-positioned just by changing the pipe inside the tank.

I A CL is much easier to hide, but takes a bunch more electricity to run...so there are advantages to both methods.

Well, I have 'never' seen a external pump run on a timer. Not return, not C.L. can't imagine many pumps like to be shut off and on repetitively. I doubt any would last that long with that type of load.

Closed loop outputs are MUCH too restrictive and jet stream-like no matter what locline pieces or eductors you use.

Really is there anyway to notice a black vortech against a black background? Can't see mine unless I look for them and it's my tank.


Also, please find a closed loop pump 'anywhere' near as effiecient as a Vortech or near silent without adding any significant heat to the water as well...


It just seems that I see you posting an aweful lot complaining and although I feel for your problems, why not sell them if you are that unhappy? It's not like you contacted Ecotech saying, "Now I'm only buying these because the controller has a definite release date"...so what are they to do?
Have they given a few times a possible release time period, yes...should they not have, yes...but that is bewsides the point - imo

Happy Reefing and best of luck!

 

[jnarowe]

Actually Matt, I have been rather reserved in my posts about the Vortech. Extremely reserved in fact. And that's because I am a fan of the product. Any "complaining" I have done is for the benefit of other users and to help Eco-Tech in their bid to improve the MP-40.

As far as noise goes, my Hammerhead return pump CANNOT be heard in my viewing room, but the Vortechs most certainly are. My noise issues have fairly subsided to the point that I am happy with their performance in that regard and that comes at the hands of Tim and the Eco-tech team spending considerable time and labor figuring out the problem.

CL outputs can be more restrictive of course, but I wouldn't use eductors or Loc-Line. I would use 1-1/2" - 2" open pipe.

I don't have a black background. I have a coraline background. And no matter what, Vortechs are clearly visible on any background. Mine grow coraline like there's no tomorrow anyway, so I would imagine that at times, yours are pink on a black background.

As far as the controller, I am willing to wait just as any other Vortech fan is. My issue is that I was told that they could be controlled on my ACIII pro until such time as the Vortech controller is released. In fact I was told that they would work on the ACIII and that I wouldn't need their controller for basic ON/OFF function. In the end, I cannot use the ACIII Pro to control them, and therefore I have to leave them on 24/7 or turn them down manually, but since they are all over-heating to the point of crazing my tank, I just run them at about 60 - 70% to keep the temps. down.

You have no idea what my interaction with Eco-tech and IceCap has consisted of, and it would be innappropriate for me to disclose that, but believe me, on both sides of the fence, we have worked tirelessly to get my units to run according to spec. without corrupting the driver code. Other than the heat issue, my MP-40s are running very well.

As far as selling them goes, that's really not an alternative IMO. Since I have no CL plumbed, and I definitely don't want wires etc. in my tank, I am stuck working with what I have. Fortunately, unlike many companies I encounter, Eco-Tech is working hard to develop the MP-40 line and keep its customers happy.

The MP-40 release had a lot of bumps in the road, but they have ironed them out as best they can. And building in comminication to AquaNotes or the AC controller line would be a major plus.

 

[Giovanni]

jnarowe,

Not sure why. I have a friend who is on the same interval and had one driver go bad but that was it. He is still running that interval.

 

[maxxII]

I think Eagles is confusing Janarowe with Serpent man regarding selling the Vortech's.
All Jnarowe has "complained" about is the Vortech's not working on his AC...and after someone else posted up theirs works fine, I'd be confused/annoyed too.

One thing that has stood out in this thread from all parties..."complainers" and happy users alike, is that Eco-Tech has great customer service.

Which is nice.

Nick

 

[jnarowe]

No doubt Nick. If it weren't so, I might have changed my position long ago.

I had all my drivers go bad and they were all serviced by Eco-Tech rather promptly. Since they got tired of doing so, they asked me to stop running them on the ACIII Pro. Since I want to make sure any warranty issues are covered, I of course, complied with their request.

I do speculate that the newly refurbished units may not get corrupted, but I am not abou to try it without explicit instruction to do so from Tim.

 

[serpentman]

I am have never run my units on a timer or controller of any kind. In 2 instances (pump #1) there was an issue with the wet frame which I believe was due to having an outdated impeller shaft, The last time the bearings or something went in the motor of pump #2 which was trouble free for 6-7 months.

The only thing I have been doing is running them on full power. Ideally, with a controller, neither would run 24/7 on full output which would probably save significant wear and tear.

 

[nhlives]

I use the ACIII for controlling the Vortec but as has been discussed on many threads to do so safely requires the battery backup.

This ACIII statement - RND 020/010 ON/OFF Then VOR ON - gives me a pretty good effect.

I have also suggested that it would be a very good thing to be able to control a feeding mode from the ACIII or the other way around. Some very basic integration with a controller.

 

[jnarowe]

The problem with using the battery backup like that is the instructions for it explicitly states that repeated use of the backup will shorten the battery life. There were some posts about it quite a while ago in which it was determined that although it had been said to be useful as an interim "controller", reality is that it would cause the battery to age prematurely.

I bought two battery backup units solely ofr that purpose, and when I opened them and read the instructions, discovered that they CANNOT be used in that manner.

 

[Sparkss]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10259213#post10259213 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
The problem with using the battery backup like that is the instructions for it explicitly states that repeated use of the backup will shorten the battery life. There were some posts about it quite a while ago in which it was determined that although it had been said to be useful as an interim "controller", reality is that it would cause the battery to age prematurely.

I bought two battery backup units solely ofr that purpose, and when I opened them and read the instructions, discovered that they CANNOT be used in that manner.

And I had issues with the BB wearing out when I tried. They are not really designed for that use.

And I do agree that Eagles is obviously confused. Being a Vortec owner (4 pumps) for some time now, and having gone through most of the problems that Jonathan has, I was offended by Eagles blantantly myopic comments. But like his posts, this is just my own opinion, so take it as you will.

I do agree that customer service has been stellar, and also that once issues are ironed out they are amazing pumps. Ours have been running flawlessly for a couple of months now.

 

[Giovanni]

A simple solution to the BB problem is to use a 12v switching power supply in the BB spot. No battery to run down. You will not be able to have BB doing it this way but it will keep your code from corrupting. I have done that in the past and it works fine. I believe I used one from walmart rated for 1.5 amps. Then switch as fast as you want. I just did not like the pump being on during the off phase.

 

[jnarowe]

that's an interesting idea but I am not sure how the Vortech driver will react to that. Anyone want to experiment??

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Myopic, confused?....so a handful of people who bought the original batch vortech of a brand new technology has had problems. Wow, no other company has that problem with new equipment.
Seems as though there are 'numerous' threads that would be far better suited in e-mails and pm's as they come across as bashing to at least me. So I'd appreciate it if you don't speak ill of me or my opinion unless you have something creative to say. As I wasn't even speaking to you was I?
How's that for myoptic?