Vectra L1 performance and test

[ohashimz]

And again, while I understand your contention, I think the Vectra is performing per its spec given your combined head and friction losses. Reduce your friction losses and your flow will increase. Obviously that will not change your point of view but I don't think this is a case of the pump not performing per its spec. I think this is a case of friction losses robbing the pump of its potential. And I have given your some plumbing suggestions which will absolutely improve things for you.

How? How to reduce friction losses?
How do you plumb a standard 160G tank and sump for a return rate of 1200 to 1600gph using vectra...
Please elaborate.
Reason why I am pressing you is because you are not providing solutions. Where I do not think there is any.


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[slief]

How? How to reduce friction losses?
How do you plumb a standard 160G tank and sump for a return rate of 1200 to 1600gph using vectra...
Please elaborate.
Reason why I am pressing you is because you are not providing solutions. Where I do not think there is any.


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1) Increase the size of the flow sensor to the 2" model. That will reduce head loss by 1-2' alone and I am betting closer to 2'. It could actually be even more.
2) Change the tubing between your PVC Wye and 3/4" bulkheads in the overflow from 3/4" to 1" and use a 1" elbow with a 3/4" bushing to connect to the 3/4" lockline bulkheads or a 3/4" threaded by 1" street L. Then use 1" barbs on the 1" elbows and the 1" PVC Wye with 1" tubing. Between the increase in tubing size and the increased barb ID, that will result in more than 1' of reduced head loss. I'm guess those two changes alone will reduce headloss by 4' and get you right where you want to be in terms of taget flow or even more with that pump. If you were to hard plumb that pump from the pump to the larger sensor and from the sensor to the bottom of the tank, you would see an even bigger improvement simply by eliminating those barb fittings.

 

[tkeracer619]

Again I remind you that most standard tanks have a drill hole for a bulk heads that transition to 3/4" loc line hoes.
My pvc out of the bulk head is 1", but all the line locs hose in the market are 3/4" meaning there is no escaping they eventually we need 3/4" at the end of the return line.

On a high flow system, you split the return into multiples, you don't try to jam all of the water through a single 3/4" fitting. That is a huge restriction and certainly isn't normal on larger systems. At minimum with the flow you are pushing you would split the return with a 1"pvc wye or tee before using a bushing to accept 3/4 loc line.

Saying not all pumps are the same for me means: this is what it is, the performance am observing is vectra l1 capabilities.

You are observing a Vectra L1 performance when plumbed into a smaller system with restricted plumbing. It may seem simple, you may think what we are suggesting is abnormal, but it isn't. Pump manufacturers have been supplying barbed fittings for ease since before I was alive but recommend that they were plumbed with larger tubing.

Saying vectra have 1.5" outlet and reduction impact vectra means: Vectra is not the right pump for standard tanks, and not suitable for tanks that requires above 700 800 gph return. Which if we apply the 5 to 10 times turn around means anything above 50 to 100gallon tanks.

No, that isn't what it means. If you had less restrictive plumbing then you would be able to run the pump much lower and achieve the same flow with a lower power usage. This is an advantage for DC pumps.

vectra...
I just wished such data was available before I spent 500$ on vectra ha ha.

It is available and has been since before these pumps were on shelves. Even after people knowledgeable in this arena explain what is going on, you still blame the pump, but I believe it is solely the way the pump has been installed. There is really no reason to by a high flow/low head DC pump only to throttle it down by restrictions. That negates the point of a DC pump.

I now feel much more at peace buying and RD3 which is not that much cost diffrence from vectra, or syncra 5.0 which more than half the price of vectra...

A RD3 100w is $850 vs a vectra L1 at $450. A $400 difference is substantial. The RD3 also handles head pressure differently than the Vectra. The Syncra is an AC pump ( and probably a good fit for your setup).

There may be something else at play here but I think the L1 just wasn't a good choice for your setup with its existing plumbing. It seems you have already moved on and we're beating a dead horse but if you want to fix the issues re-plumb it without the restrictions like Slief has pointed out and flow will be increased.

 

[ohashimz]

1) Increase the size of the flow sensor to the 2" model. That will reduce head loss by 1-2' alone and I am betting closer to 2'. It could actually be even more.

2) Change the tubing between your PVC Wye and 3/4" bulkheads in the overflow from 3/4" to 1" and use a 1" elbow with a 3/4" bushing to connect to the 3/4" lockline bulkheads or a 3/4" threaded by 1" street L. Then use 1" barbs on the 1" elbows and the 1" PVC Wye with 1" tubing. Between the increase in tubing size and the increased barb ID, that will result in more than 1' of reduced head loss. I'm guess those two changes alone will reduce headloss by 4' and get you right where you want to be in terms of taget flow or even more with that pump. If you were to hard plumb that pump from the pump to the larger sensor and from the sensor to the bottom of the tank, you would see an even bigger improvement simply by eliminating those barb fittings.

Appreciate the feedback. Will try these and update u

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[EcoTech Marine]

Appreciate the feedback. Will try these and update u

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Please also remove the quick coupler from the intake

 

[ohashimz]

Please also remove the quick coupler from the intake

What is the quick coupler?

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[ohashimz]

On a high flow system, you split the return into multiples, you don't try to jam all of the water through a single 3/4" fitting. That is a huge restriction and certainly isn't normal on larger systems. At minimum with the flow you are pushing you would split the return with a 1"pvc wye or tee before using a bushing to accept 3/4 loc line.



You are observing a Vectra L1 performance when plumbed into a smaller system with restricted plumbing. It may seem simple, you may think what we are suggesting is abnormal, but it isn't. Pump manufacturers have been supplying barbed fittings for ease since before I was alive but recommend that they were plumbed with larger tubing.



No, that isn't what it means. If you had less restrictive plumbing then you would be able to run the pump much lower and achieve the same flow with a lower power usage. This is an advantage for DC pumps.



It is available and has been since before these pumps were on shelves. Even after people knowledgeable in this arena explain what is going on, you still blame the pump, but I believe it is solely the way the pump has been installed. There is really no reason to by a high flow/low head DC pump only to throttle it down by restrictions. That negates the point of a DC pump.



A RD3 100w is $850 vs a vectra L1 at $450. A $400 difference is substantial. The RD3 also handles head pressure differently than the Vectra. The Syncra is an AC pump ( and probably a good fit for your setup).

There may be something else at play here but I think the L1 just wasn't a good choice for your setup with its existing plumbing. It seems you have already moved on and we're beating a dead horse but if you want to fix the issues re-plumb it without the restrictions like Slief has pointed out and flow will be increased.

Rd3 50 and 80 watt are at good price point and from the looks of it would give me higher flow as well...

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[tkeracer619]

What is the quick coupler?

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The blue connectors.

They sell a Sch40 adapter to connect it to larger sch40 plumbing straight from the pump.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vect...MIuqz4_oDq3wIVXSCtBh0nRQmTEAQYAiABEgIhivD_BwE

 

[ca1ore]

I was referring to the loc lines. I have never seen loc lines more than 3/4"...these are the standards

That’s true. The first thing every reef keeper should do us throw all that locline away. Not only is it singularly pointless (trading velocity for volume) but it kills flow. I certainly cannot speak to red dragon or abyzz pumps as I’d never spend that kind of money on a pump, but all DC pumps are designed for optimal performance in low pressure applications.

 

[ohashimz]

That's true. The first thing every reef keeper should do us throw all that locline away. Not only is it singularly pointless (trading velocity for volume) but it kills flow. I certainly cannot speak to red dragon or abyzz pumps as I'd never spend that kind of money on a pump, but all DC pumps are designed for optimal performance in low pressure applications.

I tend to to agree with you now after I went through this. Dc pumps are not worth the money honestly.
Thay being said, my RD80 is pushing steady 1300gph on the same plumbing, so I am ol with the loc lines.
I would say no harm with loc line as long as you get a pump than can handle the pressure. AC pumps dp fantastic job there, and if you want DC oump pay attention to the real flow given they are all expensive any way.
I though I was saving 200$ by going vectra not RD I now realized I just wanted 500$ lol.

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[tufkab]

I tend to to agree with you now after I went through this. Dc pumps are not worth the money honestly.
Thay being said, my RD80 is pushing steady 1300gph on the same plumbing, so I am ol with the loc lines.
I would say no harm with loc line as long as you get a pump than can handle the pressure. AC pumps dp fantastic job there, and if you want DC oump pay attention to the real flow given they are all expensive any way.
I though I was saving 200$ by going vectra not RD I now realized I just wanted 500$ lol.

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Man, I just read through this whole thread and one thing is abundantly clear; You just don't get it.

Your comparisons of the RD3 and the Vectra are basically equal to you complaining that you bought a ford F-150 pickup with a gasoline engine but it has a hard time towing 5,000 lbs, so you went out and bought a Chevy pickup with a Durmax Diesel and Allison transmission and now you can tow 10,000lbs - so obviously the Chevy is a better truck.

It doesn't work that way.

A pump can be designed for pressure, for flow or for both. You could put 20 different pumps all rated for 3100gph in your system and get 20 different flow rates. That alone doesn't mean that any one of those pumps is any better than another.

When setting up your return, you have to do one of two things - pick a pump that matches the plumbing that you already have or will have OR design your plumbing to match the characteristics of the pump you want to get.

You can't complain about a pump not performing as you expected it to when you put a high flow, low pressure pump in an undersized, highly restricted return setup.

You say that your plumbing is simple and indicative of the average? I beg to differ. Barb fittings are TERRIBLE. The inner diameter of a 1" barb is close to the inner diameter 3/4" hose. That restriction adds huge head losses; but it's not just the restriction - you also have to think about the turbulence that those hard corners add to the flow in the pipe.

You want the least restrictive flow possible? Get the BSPT to 1.5" Schedule 40 adapter for the Vectra, run spaflex up to a 1.5" bulkhead and use a 120 degree wye in the tank - it has a 1.5" spigot that will slip right into a 1.5" bulkhead and two 1" slips that you could then glue a 1" slip to 3/4" thread bushing and screw in your loclines.

Lastly, remember that you're not just paying for hardware. For many people the ability to sync up their Vectra, Vortech and Radion from a single app is worth the price of the pump over a $150 Syncra.

The Vectra didn't work for you? That's too bad. The RD3 works better? Great! But don't knock a pump that plenty of people are having no issues with because you put it in a situation that brings out it's worst attributes.

Remember; if you judge a fish by it's abilty to climb a tree.....

 

[ohashimz]

Man, I just read through this whole thread and one thing is abundantly clear; You just don't get it.



Your comparisons of the RD3 and the Vectra are basically equal to you complaining that you bought a ford F-150 pickup with a gasoline engine but it has a hard time towing 5,000 lbs, so you went out and bought a Chevy pickup with a Durmax Diesel and Allison transmission and now you can tow 10,000lbs - so obviously the Chevy is a better truck.



It doesn't work that way.



A pump can be designed for pressure, for flow or for both. You could put 20 different pumps all rated for 3100gph in your system and get 20 different flow rates. That alone doesn't mean that any one of those pumps is any better than another.



When setting up your return, you have to do one of two things - pick a pump that matches the plumbing that you already have or will have OR design your plumbing to match the characteristics of the pump you want to get.



You can't complain about a pump not performing as you expected it to when you put a high flow, low pressure pump in an undersized, highly restricted return setup.



You say that your plumbing is simple and indicative of the average? I beg to differ. Barb fittings are TERRIBLE. The inner diameter of a 1" barb is close to the inner diameter 3/4" hose. That restriction adds huge head losses; but it's not just the restriction - you also have to think about the turbulence that those hard corners add to the flow in the pipe.



You want the least restrictive flow possible? Get the BSPT to 1.5" Schedule 40 adapter for the Vectra, run spaflex up to a 1.5" bulkhead and use a 120 degree wye in the tank - it has a 1.5" spigot that will slip right into a 1.5" bulkhead and two 1" slips that you could then glue a 1" slip to 3/4" thread bushing and screw in your loclines.



Lastly, remember that you're not just paying for hardware. For many people the ability to sync up their Vectra, Vortech and Radion from a single app is worth the price of the pump over a $150 Syncra.



The Vectra didn't work for you? That's too bad. The RD3 works better? Great! But don't knock a pump that plenty of people are having no issues with because you put it in a situation that brings out it's worst attributes.



Remember; if you judge a fish by it's abilty to climb a tree.....

Actually it is you who do not get it.
Let me try one more time in simple terms:

I am a customer, I do not care why something do not work and other works. I just care about getting what works. customers experince and data posted on forums is what I would follow...

I am comparing 2 pumps that are both positioned in the same market and the same industry as a high end aquarium DC pumps...end of story.
If there are fine prints it should be known, and if manufacturers are not saying it. We as customers share our experience so others know.

I wasted money on vectra and maybe it was my fault I trusted ecotech or I did not do enough technical analysis like you...it do not matter. At least by sharing my experience someone else avoid the same mistake if they need specific flow and have similar plumbing.

So before you insult me, think where am coming from.

I do not really care about you lengthy justification why vectra did not work on my setup while other pump worked.
Or your assumption that do not have data to back it up...

As an example: the reality is many ppl are complaining about vectra. See the rating on brs, see the forums are full with complaints.
So before you give wrong impressions to readers that my issue is isolated incident you should provide data like what I did..

As a customer I go with what work for me.

Cheers mate.




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[ohashimz]

And btw the diffrence between vectra and Rd 80 is like 200$.
So its not that big of difference and as far as am concerned I wasted 500 not saved 200.
But that's not the point, I am not advocating RD, am just saying that's what I went with.

Cheers again

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[ohashimz]

Some update relavent to this post. Credit is given when credit is due.
So i have installed my vectra L1 on my 2nd system (I have 2 large systems one I installed the red dragon and moved the vectra to my frag tank)
Yesterday my L1 stopped working, when I took it out look like it suffered the issue of the rotor grinding against the housing and melted the housing.
I got the pump end of 2017 and used it for ~18 months.
I called [MENTION=102886]EcoTech Marine[/MENTION] ready for any answer given the pump is outside its 1 year warranty. I was extremely suprised, the customer support rep was super nice, asked me for some pictures and informations then immediately offered to change my pump without hassle or anything. They offered to send me a brand new L2 vectra as a replacment.
This was amazing customer service and lived up to ecotech marine's reputation.
I have 12 mp40 at home, had purchased and upgraded 6 mp10. Over the last 7 years I have purchased a total of 18 vortechs, numerous vortech upgrade kits, vectra l1 and 6 hydra 52(hydra is also ecotech in my books. So am a hard core supporter of their products. My first bad experince was the vectra L1 which clearly is something they have addressed and did not let their customers down.

Kudos to them really, they gained my trust back.
Thank you guys.

 

[tkeracer619]

Their CS is still top notch.

Have you started shifting your mp40 pumps to QD? I just finished converting my last non qd pumps with the upgrade kits. I have 9 myself (2-60, 7-40). My wife is very happy with the change :lol:

 

[ohashimz]

Their CS is still top notch.

Have you started shifting your mp40 pumps to QD? I just finished converting my last non qd pumps with the upgrade kits. I have 9 myself (2-60, 7-40). My wife is very happy with the change [emoji38]

All my mp40s are QD. Vortechs are the best power heads in the market by a large margin..