melev
Well-known member
Rob, I'm sure Tim would be happy to help you get this resolved. They want every person to be happy with their pump, based on what I've seen thus far. PM him at "EcoTech Marine" and send an email to sales@ecotechmarine.com
EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40 Release Information
- Thread starter EcoTech Marine
- Start date
Rob, I'm sure Tim would be happy to help you get this resolved. They want every person to be happy with their pump, based on what I've seen thus far. PM him at "EcoTech Marine" and send an email to sales@ecotechmarine.com
Sparkysreef
Premium Member
I know what you are saying but this will the 3rd time around
IceCap Service
Registered Member
The one that is now working fine I have to assume is the one you installed the replacement parts I sent you.
As for the one vibrating, check to see if the wet frame is cracked and compare it to the working wet frame & bearing assembly I sent you. More than likely that one is also the original version and needs the updated wet frame & bearing. If there is movement within the drive shaft that has to be the issue.
Check this out and get back to me. For more rapid response send the results to service@ecotechmarine.com or service@icecapinc.com. The e-mails are monitored more frequently and you will get quicker results than from this forum.
As for the one vibrating, check to see if the wet frame is cracked and compare it to the working wet frame & bearing assembly I sent you. More than likely that one is also the original version and needs the updated wet frame & bearing. If there is movement within the drive shaft that has to be the issue.
Check this out and get back to me. For more rapid response send the results to service@ecotechmarine.com or service@icecapinc.com. The e-mails are monitored more frequently and you will get quicker results than from this forum.
I can say only a true hobbyist would be able to inject the pain and agony of a defective aquarium product, and an expensive one at that, that fails to work.
If Dave's suggestions don't lead to a quick and lasting fix, we'll advance swap out an entire new pump that we will re-inspect at IceCap prior to shipping your's out. I'll need the glass thickness you are working with so we can replicate your situation and if needed, send you a new pump ready to go for your tank.
Having been on-board with beta units on my tank I've seen some problems but I have also seen the corrective actions that have been made in the product and incredibly low failure rate on new pumps shipped. Typically a 1% failure rate or lower is considered acceptable as things happen in shipping and manufacturing that sometimes can't be prevented. That not a lot of comfort to the 1% who has to deal with the problems. We are very sorry for the major inconvenience we've put you through. Please allow us a opportunity to correct your pumps because as a fellow hobbyist I can vouch for the products strengths and value, when they work correctly.
Andy
If Dave's suggestions don't lead to a quick and lasting fix, we'll advance swap out an entire new pump that we will re-inspect at IceCap prior to shipping your's out. I'll need the glass thickness you are working with so we can replicate your situation and if needed, send you a new pump ready to go for your tank.
Having been on-board with beta units on my tank I've seen some problems but I have also seen the corrective actions that have been made in the product and incredibly low failure rate on new pumps shipped. Typically a 1% failure rate or lower is considered acceptable as things happen in shipping and manufacturing that sometimes can't be prevented. That not a lot of comfort to the 1% who has to deal with the problems. We are very sorry for the major inconvenience we've put you through. Please allow us a opportunity to correct your pumps because as a fellow hobbyist I can vouch for the products strengths and value, when they work correctly.
Andy
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
Sparkysreef-
From the sounds of it you have one pump with the updated ceramic drive shaft (the parts we recently sent to you) and one pump with the old style drive shaft. The excessive slop you are describing is why you are experiencing vibrations and noise on the pump with the old drive shaft. I'm sorry that two ceramic drive shaft upgrades weren't sent originally. It was probably an oversight on our part and I apologize for that.
FWIW, tightening the nut has no effect on noise. The nut simply holds the rotating parts together and there is no adjustment to be made here, its either tight or its not working.
-Tim
From the sounds of it you have one pump with the updated ceramic drive shaft (the parts we recently sent to you) and one pump with the old style drive shaft. The excessive slop you are describing is why you are experiencing vibrations and noise on the pump with the old drive shaft. I'm sorry that two ceramic drive shaft upgrades weren't sent originally. It was probably an oversight on our part and I apologize for that.
FWIW, tightening the nut has no effect on noise. The nut simply holds the rotating parts together and there is no adjustment to be made here, its either tight or its not working.
-Tim
IceCap Service
Registered Member
Replacement parts for pump #2 will be sent right out today. Per your e-mail it stated there was no problem with the one pump, just the wet side gasket. Sorry if I overlooked something and will get the parts out for you ASAP.
Sparkysreef
Premium Member
Thanks for the quick replys and outstanding, overwhelming customer service. I apologize for the ranting but at the same time I am sure you can understand my grief.
Came home today and the protective cover around the prop has been blown across the tank. So I have to check that out as well.
I will get to pump inspection tomorrow evening or friday.
Thanks again for all your help, understanding, and determination. Both Ecotech and Ice Cap
Rob
Came home today and the protective cover around the prop has been blown across the tank. So I have to check that out as well.
I will get to pump inspection tomorrow evening or friday.
Thanks again for all your help, understanding, and determination. Both Ecotech and Ice Cap
Rob
jay24k
Active member
Got my pump in. I must say, from the looks of it on here, I thought it would of been something super light and cheaper plastic. However, I must say, it is built like a rock. The wet frame is solid as well even though that portion is light and I can understand why.
My question is this: When I opened it up, there is the magnet and screw on the wet side. It wobbled pretty bad. I tightened it some but didn't want to make it too tight cause I wasn't sure. I hooked it up and noticed it wasn't sticking together. My glass is 1/2". I had to remove the piece aroudn the motor and just use the rubber circular mat piece and it sticks fine. Is this normal for 1/2" glass cause I read only 3/4".
Otherwise it is a nice pump.
Thanks.
Edit: Quick question, how far does the flow feel toward? I am running it on hight and it goes about 4'. Is this normal or should it go across the whole tank (6').
My question is this: When I opened it up, there is the magnet and screw on the wet side. It wobbled pretty bad. I tightened it some but didn't want to make it too tight cause I wasn't sure. I hooked it up and noticed it wasn't sticking together. My glass is 1/2". I had to remove the piece aroudn the motor and just use the rubber circular mat piece and it sticks fine. Is this normal for 1/2" glass cause I read only 3/4".
Otherwise it is a nice pump.
Thanks.
Edit: Quick question, how far does the flow feel toward? I am running it on hight and it goes about 4'. Is this normal or should it go across the whole tank (6').
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
jay24k-
Thanks for the compliments on the robustness of the product. We had our issues initially but now everything is ironed out and we've had hardly any customer support related issues on the new pumps; which have been out for over a month now. We've had such a drop in work load that I was even able to take a vacation last week!
Did you adjust the rubber pin spacer to the setting for 1/2"? Take a look at the instructions on the pin spacer and make sure you've set it up correctly.
Apparently some pumps are coming out of the box with a lose nut, there's nothing wrong with tightening it hand tight, there's no real way to overtighten it so long as you don't use any tools.
You won't feel the flow on your hand past four feet but you will see the effects of it. The flow is incredibly broad and is quite different then anything you'd expect.
-Tim
Thanks for the compliments on the robustness of the product. We had our issues initially but now everything is ironed out and we've had hardly any customer support related issues on the new pumps; which have been out for over a month now. We've had such a drop in work load that I was even able to take a vacation last week!
Did you adjust the rubber pin spacer to the setting for 1/2"? Take a look at the instructions on the pin spacer and make sure you've set it up correctly.
Apparently some pumps are coming out of the box with a lose nut, there's nothing wrong with tightening it hand tight, there's no real way to overtighten it so long as you don't use any tools.
You won't feel the flow on your hand past four feet but you will see the effects of it. The flow is incredibly broad and is quite different then anything you'd expect.
-Tim
jay24k
Active member
Thanks for the info. I didn't try to rotate it as it appeared to be all the same thickness. I'll read the instructions again.
I'm really surprised because I don't recall anyone saying the quality of the build. I still have my Seio's and anyone who has them know while they are built decent, they still feel kind of cheap like a cheap plastic. This is just really nice. Hopefully all goes well and I'll order a second with the controller.
I also heard people mention they could hear the pump. I cannot hear it unless my ear is on the glass literally.
So far, I really like it, but my clowns don't
I had to tear apart 3/4 of their Xenia wall on the glass to mount it.
I'm really surprised because I don't recall anyone saying the quality of the build. I still have my Seio's and anyone who has them know while they are built decent, they still feel kind of cheap like a cheap plastic. This is just really nice. Hopefully all goes well and I'll order a second with the controller.
I also heard people mention they could hear the pump. I cannot hear it unless my ear is on the glass literally.
So far, I really like it, but my clowns don't
I had to tear apart 3/4 of their Xenia wall on the glass to mount it.
jnarowe
New member
Had a fellow reefer over a couple days ago, (Sherman) and he mentioned how quiet my tank was. I told him I hadn't neded to adjust the Vortechs in over a week. I feel confident that I am past the rattling issues finally. Yay!!! 
I did notice something interesting while he was here though. Three tangs including the sailfin he gave me were agressively nipping at algae on one of the Vortechs. We had a good laugh over that.
I did notice something interesting while he was here though. Three tangs including the sailfin he gave me were agressively nipping at algae on one of the Vortechs. We had a good laugh over that.
ReefWaters
Premium Member
My pumps are getting a fair amount of algae on them. Even on the prop. Surprisingly, I wouldn't say that I have an algae "problem" at all. Maybe a little more than I would like, but not bad at all. And I can see NO negative effects on the performance of the pumps b/c of the algae.
Its just funny b/c you would think they would not run as well covered, inside and out, with algae.
Its just funny b/c you would think they would not run as well covered, inside and out, with algae.
jnarowe
New member
Mine have algae on them too and I caught 3 tangs taking turns tugging on one just the other day...I wonder if that is what has been making them rattle? j/k! They are running very well now. It is interesting how they accumulate coraline algae so much faster than the glass. Maybe because they are black?
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
Plastic in general has a tendency to collect coralline algae. It shouldn't affect our pumps too much because there's no super small gaps that can't fill up with calcium like in a normal submerged powerhead.
-Tim
-Tim
jnarowe
New member
Yeah? Well it is definitely going to play into how I finish the back and sides of my tank. Right now they are plain acrylic and I have been considering a couple options but if these pumps will always have coraline on them, I may give up on the back and just let it get covered. When I do remove the wet side to clean it, it's not easy to get the coraline off! Any recommendations?
EcoTech Marine
.Registered Member
soak the whole assembly in vinager for an hour or so, then rinse it off in water. Anything more extreme than that can have negative effects on the materials in the pump.
-Tim
-Tim
