DC Controllable Pumps vs AC Pumps

[d2mini]

I'd pull out all the stops and upsize to 1.5" from the pump all the way to the water in the tank.

Elos overflow, man... can't do it.

 

[billw]

With this, I gained maybe 35 gph. lol

I think you'll find that turning a corner costs about the same regardless of whether it's a 90 or a sweeping curve. The diameter of the pipe is probably your biggest obstacle.

 

[jason2459]

I agree on the sweep vs 90 vs double 45s etc. I was expecting more from getting rid of the barbs which tells me there's more restriction through out.

 

[LOD]

Ok, here's the deal. I've been running 3 (then added a 4th: 2- main pumps and 2- closed loop) Vectra L1s on my 400 gallon aquarium since the day they were released. They claim 3100 gph, however, I was running an Iwaki 40RLXT (approx 1400gph) jspec (14yrs old without one issue) and was getting approx 930gph at the return. (Took one gallon bucket- timed to see how long it took to fill and did the math). I thought I could get away with one L1 at 3100 gph as my main pump; I was wrong. The same plumbing was used with the iwaki and I was only getting sub 600gph with the L1.
I believe their curve is not actuate. I understand I purchased these immediately on release. However, every pumps' power supply has been replaced along with 2- pumps, themselves (different occasions) Also, they say you can't hear them.... not true. I do run mine externally and have noticed that if one adds head pressure it does become noisy; honestly, about the same if not louder then the Iwaki.
I do like the closed loop modes on the pump as I'm old school and would use Hayward Actuated Ballvalves to create a similar effect. The feed modes are really nice too.
One thing I do have to give 100% respect to is how great the customer support of ecotech truly is. Their turnaround, follow up etc. is definitely top notch.
So, take it for what it is.... my 2¢

 

[Owen O Reilly]

Can I ask where you were able to find flex pvc? I've tried all the big box hardware store with no luck and my LFS had no idea either. I found it online but the shipping is more than the pvc!

I got mine online from a site called PVC Fittings Online. They sell flexable PVC in 5 Ft lengths starting at $5 for 1/2". Shipping was resonable and still cheaper than Home Depot. Site address is pvcfittingsonline.com

 

[bhavy]

 

[bhavy]

I bought that spa (hot tub ) wye on line. You can see if your local pool supply place has the flexible pvc in stock . Mine did not. So I purchased 1-1/2 that goes up through the floor to the wye u see in the pic then 1" flexible the the bulkheads (not shown)
The other 1" pipes are for my bean animal

 

[bhavy]

You can find cheaper Cepex valves though a company in Texas I think I'm sorry I can't remember or find my invoice!
Same quality valves half the cost mostly made in USA!

 

[badd]

Can I ask where you were able to find flex pvc? I've tried all the big box hardware store with no luck and my LFS had no idea either. I found it online but the shipping is more than the pvc!

I got mine at pool/hot tub supply..they had 1/2 up to 3 inch

 

[d2mini]

I agree on the sweep vs 90 vs double 45s etc. I was expecting more from getting rid of the barbs which tells me there's more restriction through out.

There is, if you look back.
Straight out of the pump is a barb and the second barb is a 90 barb. Double whammy.

 

[jason2459]

There is, if you look back.
Straight out of the pump is a barb and the second barb is a 90 barb. Double whammy.

Oh wow, sorry, I thought you got rid of all the barbs. This is very cool thanks for posting the results.

 

[d2mini]

Oh wow, sorry, I thought you got rid of all the barbs. This is very cool thanks for posting the results.

Just waiting on a fitting for the pump to come in later this week, then i can replumb that first section.

 

[Ikserk]

Just to throw this out there....it is by no means an ideal solution....but you could run the return up and over the rim of the tank. Then plug the return bulkhead in the overflow box.

I'd hate for you to ruin the aesthetics of the rimless, but that would get you oodles more flow especially if you went up to 1-1/2" flex pvc.

 

[d2mini]

but you could run the return up and over the rim of the tank.

I'm just going to pretend you never said that.

 

[Ikserk]

I'm just going to pretend you never said that.

understood.

 

[waxhawreefer]

Sorry I didn't read the entire thread but recently I read someone complaining about the lack of flow with the vetra M1, either way these aren't booster pumps like u would use for ur rodi system, taking alittle water/pressure and making it higher, these are centrifugal pumps that just move water, its like a closed loop system on a 10 story building, no air completely filled, when the centrifugal pump moves water at the bottom the water has to move also, I watched that BRS video about 90,45's, something about that didn't look right, being in the plumbing business for almost 30 years, everyone knows that a 45 has less friction than a 90, heck even in drainage a 45 is considered a straight piece of pipe-national plumbing code!!

 

[jason2459]

Sorry I didn't read the entire thread but recently I read someone complaining about the lack of flow with the vetra M1, either way these aren't booster pumps like u would use for ur rodi system, taking alittle water/pressure and making it higher, these are centrifugal pumps that just move water, its like a closed loop system on a 10 story building, no air completely filled, when the centrifugal pump moves water at the bottom the water has to move also, I watched that BRS video about 90,45's, something about that didn't look right, being in the plumbing business for almost 30 years, everyone knows that a 45 has less friction than a 90, heck even in drainage a 45 is considered a straight piece of pipe-national plumbing code!!

2 45's or a long sweep will have less head pressure then a direct 90 and BRS did show a flow improvement. But it's not going to be hundreds of gph difference. For a drain I'd much rather have smoother sweeps and 45's to reduce a chance of something getting stuck and blocking like a fish going surfing.

Using a head calculator online will reflect this as well. Now if you have an unimaginable amount of fittings they will add up.

Here's an example for 4 90's vs 8 45's

 

[d2mini]

Just FYI, I now have the Ecotech thread to slip adapter I was waiting for so I'll be finishing this up a little later today.
What I didn't realize (or completely forgot about) is the actual output of the L1 is 1.5", which is what this white adapter is. It just converts the british threads to 1.5" slip.
The blue coupling I was using is 1", so I was thinking the pump output was 1", and that's what they list on their website in the specs.
Now I want to know what that flow chart is based off of... the 1.5" outlet or 1" outlet (with blue coupling).

So I had to buy a 1-1/2" to 1" bushing to match up with the rest of my plumbing.

I don't know if there would be much difference in running 1.5" plumbing from the pump to the overflow, since once I get to the overflow I have to convert down to 3/4" anyway.

Anyway, I'll report back later today with any improvement I see from getting rid of these last few barbs connectors.

 

[d2mini]

Ok, I gained maybe another 30 gph.
Again, not a huge difference. But it's something.

So i'm now 1 inch straight from the pump to the overflow with only one 90 elbow.
And two little 3/4" adapters at the flow meter.

I need more pressure.

 

[bpapo]

Ok, I gained maybe another 30 gph.
Again, not a huge difference. But it's something.

So i'm now 1 inch straight from the pump to the overflow with only one 90 elbow.
And two little 3/4" adapters at the flow meter.

I need more pressure.

Can you confirm that the flow meter is actually working?