Suggestion for Gen 3

[will16]

Is it too early?

How about a random mode that randomly switches between all the modes, and the slaves would also run randomly independently. That way you would get all pumps doing different things, sometimes synched, sometimes anti-synch. This might make some cool turbulent flow patterns.

Just a thought.

 

[quincy2008]

I agree this would be a good upgrade for the next generation. A natural reef has multitudes of wave and current variations.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

Your suggestions are always welcome as we take customer feedback very seriously with respect to our new product development.

-Tim

 

[dots]

I think the pulse mode is one of the most effective modes, though I have not experienced the Gen 2 yet, I would like to see the longer pulse dwells as described, but in addition with the maximum rpm set, if on anti-sync each lowers and raises its max rpm until the min/max rpms are reached.....in say.....100rpm increments.

This in conjunction with the pulse mode already oscillating, it will move the point back and forth where the two "waves" cancel each other, almost mimicking a tidal effect one could say.

Regardless, something like that would be a drop in the bucket and difficult to measure the direct effect of such a program. But if such a novelty is possible, I for one would enjoy it.

With that said, its great product I enjoy them very much and even though some product development and "teething" is expected, and frustration from a consumers point of view has been more than taken care of with the customer service and upgrades you have offered.

Given these attitudes, I look forward to seeing more products from Ecotech Marine, and as an Engineer is a place I would consider employment with as this appears to be a company that has a commitment to improving thier product and not "resting on their laurels".....but the comute would be a nightmare!!!

Thanks!!

BTW, sending my two in tomorrow!!

 

[EcoTech Marine]

dots,

Thank you very much for your kind words. The environment around the office is very future focussed and considering the three principles of the company (Pat, Justin and myself) all have engineering backgrounds and decades of experience as hobbyists, you can see why we truly consider this job a dream.

-Tim

 

[dots]

I had read that this started from a Senior Project at Penn State if I recall.

My ME Senior Project Group built an IFS, Mustang II front suspension for a early VW Beetle, complete with air ride, tubular A-arms, and rack and pinion steering.

Seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPQapYPJ2P4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PniymXjX47s

I tried to get them to do something for a reeftank.......

If you have them on the East Coast, Jamba Juice was a Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA Senior project as well.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

dots-

Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, but yes the routes of the company began during college. We started out as an undergrad project but the idea of the VorTech arose during grad school and we took it from there. It has all been a real dream.

Like you pointed out, a lot of companies start out like us. I believe America's fostering of entrepreneurship is one of the greatest strengths we have as we see more and more of our jobs outsourced because it empowers people to take control of their own future.

-Tim

 

[intenseimage]

I stopped by EcoTech today to have my Gen2 upgrade performed (thanks again - love that lemonpeel angel and the display pump you have running with the gap between the plexi - looks cool) and something that I would like to see in future models would be a quick disconnect for the dry side. Having to undo all my cables and zip ties for the cord mount (like the instructions say ) just plain sucks. Would have been nice to just disconnect the power supply and the driver wire and be done with it.

 

[Crypsis]

I want a timer so I can program different modes to come on throughout the day. Also a set screw to keep the prop from coming loose would help out.

 

[MrSandman]

I'd like to see the night mode speed be adjustable. Also, a light sensor to determine when to go into night mode would be good as well. A physical switch to turn the pumps on/off bypassing the battery backup would also be a nice add-on.

 

[anne08]

on and off button is a must I hate unplug the cord everytime.

 

[hopkisag1]

How about integration with the Profilux Controller.

 

[rishma]

My one and only item for the wishlist....

Anything you can do to make the pump quieter would win big points with me. I realize this is not trivial as it requires new hardware, which is different from new firmware.

I love these pumps in terms of performance and your customer service builds loyalty very quickly. These pumps definitely provide the best flow available, but the noise is not acceptable to my ears. I spent a significant effort and money to create a very quiet tank.

I would pay a higher price and come back the Ecotech for my tank flow if the pumps were quieter. That is the only real fault I see, albeit not an easy one to fix. I love everything else about the pumps.

Best wishes

 

[TulsaReefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13105894#post13105894 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EcoTech Marine
dots-

Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, but yes the routes of the company began during college. We started out as an undergrad project but the idea of the VorTech arose during grad school and we took it from there. It has all been a real dream.

Like you pointed out, a lot of companies start out like us. I believe America's fostering of entrepreneurship is one of the greatest strengths we have as we see more and more of our jobs outsourced because it empowers people to take control of their own future.

-Tim

I thought there was a University fo Oklahoma connection too!

Go Sooners!

And for my wish list, a way to program the Vortech from my Neptune Aquacontroller, since I can access that from the Internet and while I'm away from home. At least a way to set the mode and strength of the pump. A wireless master module that could connect to the Neptune that would then be the master for the entire set of Vortechs would be awesome (and potentially sell nicely, it one thing Tunze has for it, the Neptune Aquasurf module to control Tunze streams is really nice). Great for cost and engineering if you could leverage your existing wireless controller system and somehow mod into it to communicate with the Neptune.

 

[unbreakable]

I agree about making them quieter

like someone mentioned, one thing id like to see is being able to shut the pump off rather than having to unplug them; i guess hooking them up to something with a switch would have to do for now.

Also, id like to see night mode do 50% or more of the mode it was operating in rather than it being constant. so if it was in pulse mode and it was running kind of strong, maybe have it just so its calmer at night? maybe being ablt to choose from the option you have now and the one im talking about

Being able to control it with something like the neptune controller or profilux like someone mentioned earlier

so far i love my vortechs!

 

[Shawn D]

I really wish that they would make a larger model than the MP40W, I love my MP40W but wish that their was a Vortech moving the same amount of water or more than a Tunze 6201 b/c the Vortech just have a way better flow pattern.

 

[sjm817]

Another vote for quieter operation. This was a show stopper for me. I could never use them unless this was changed.

Another is the feed mode. They still had too much flow for target feeding. The feed mode should be a pump stop.

 

[mpdharley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13152287#post13152287 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Another is the feed mode. They still had too much flow for target feeding. The feed mode should be a pump stop.

I agree that feed mode should be slowed down, but I wouldn't want the pumps to stop. Perhaps spinning down to 10%. This way smaller fish wouldn't be tempted to perch inside the pump, which they might, if it is stopped completely.

Other suggestions:

1) My dream night mode: Have night mode start at 75% power for the first hour, then every 30 minutes reduce by 10% until it gets down to about 25%. Have it stay there until the last couple of hours then start increasing back up to full power.
2) Night mode setting that stays configured even if there is a power outage. A small battery, such as the ones in computers, would be enough to keep a timer/clock going for quite some to keep track of passed time during a power outage.

Mike

 

[sjm817]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13152522#post13152522 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mpdharley
I agree that feed mode should be slowed down, but I wouldn't want the pumps to stop. Perhaps spinning down to 10%. This way smaller fish wouldn't be tempted to perch inside the pump, which they might, if it is stopped completely.

Another popular flow pump maker has a very effective method to ward off fish going in the pump when it is stopped. The same method could be used.

 

[mpdharley]

What is that method?