Simple vortech control....

[petedoc]

Is anyone running their vortech on a simple timer, like they use for lighting? I just got mine today and plan to run it from dawn to dusk, just like my lighting. I plan to buy the controller when it becomes available this summer. Any other ideas out there? I know you can use a battery back up to modulate the flow, but I have plenty of other flow in the tank and don't want to spend the bucks for a battery back up just to create a simple speed change. Need some ideas on how best to use this thing!

 

[petedoc]

Anyone? Still need some ideas on what works with these things.

 

[CookieJar]

You can use the basic intermatic timer for dawn to dusk, I think you can have 15 or 30 min intervals if you put a bunch of the on/off tabs on it.
there's also the coralife surge protector/ wavemaker that's around $40 but no time controls for long off periods.

 

[petedoc]

CookieJar, Thanks for the idea, just wondering what everyone else is doing with their vortechs. Pete

 

[hatfielj]

Vortech has told me that they are coming out with a single controller sometime this summer. In the mean time, a simple timer will work fine if you want less flow at certain times of day.

 

[petedoc]

Yes, I think the simplest option is to just have it on my lighting timer for dawn to dusk flow. I will just have to manually turn up the volume once in a while to vary the flow. I currently have six outlets on SCWDs pushing about 7,000 gallons/hr for constantly variable flow. Hopefully the controller will be similar to the Tunze on my other tank and will allow variable daytime and night flow settings............... So other than me standing there and manually turning the speed up and down I don't think there is much more I can do at this time.

 

[Icefire]

just place some mesh around it.
Some fish get inside once stopped and get killed on startup

 

[petedoc]

Good point about the mesh, the opening is large enough to allow a good sized fish to nest in over night. It would be a rude awakening in the morning.

 

[Putawaywet]

I'd pose this question in the IceCap forum before you start using that timer just to be safe. There have been some reported problems with the pump driver's code getting corrupted if the pump is cycled on and off too many times.

Brett

 

[dhnguyen]

You should check with jnarowe first before you use these on timers. He uses them but I'm not entirely sure what timer/controller is used or how often they are switched.

 

[jacmyoung]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9968140#post9968140 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Putawaywet
I'd pose this question in the IceCap forum before you start using that timer just to be safe. There have been some reported problems with the pump driver's code getting corrupted if the pump is cycled on and off too many times.

Brett

What is the code used in the VorTech for? I can understand if it is on a controller but for now I thought it is a straight forward DC prop pump.

 

[dhnguyen]

No it isn't. The Vortech is actually quite a bit more sophisticated than just a regular DC pump. It has sensors that will automatically shut down when the motor gets too hot for instance.

 

[petedoc]

Good point! I thought I might get a more diverse opinion here, but I will post the same question on the Icecap site and may try to ask jnarowe if possible.

 

[jacmyoung]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9968373#post9968373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dhnguyen
No it isn't. The Vortech is actually quite a bit more sophisticated than just a regular DC pump. It has sensors that will automatically shut down when the motor gets too hot for instance.

Thank you. All I can say is at $350 not many people will risk it by doing things that are not on the manufacture's menu.

 

[petedoc]

I checked with the Icecap forum here on RC and they report no problems with an on/off timer as long as the interval is at least 30min. My interval will be about 12hrs, so I think I am OK.