DC pump with power outage notification and battery back up

XLOR8T · Mar 25, 2018

As the title says I’m trying to decide on a return pump for my first system which is going to be a Reefer 350.

I will not be running a manifold from the return. Would rather run a 2nd pump for add-ons later. Being new and paranoid I want a pump that has means of notification of failure/power.

I was also planning on buying a UPS solution for backup.

I want the apex in the future but not in the budget right now.

I had been on the fence between Reef Octo Vario 2 (as return pump only)

Then I saw the Ecotech S1

It can do the notification via reeflink ans Ecotech makes backup batteries they claim 30 hours on 1 and extendable by using 2 and at that point I can also run an mp40 to keep flow.

I’m want to hear your feed back and alternatives you have used within similar budgets.

Thank you!

mfinn · Mar 25, 2018

Both your choices are suppose to be very good pumps.
The S1 is fairly new, but I haven't seen people reporting problems with them.
I loved my M1.
The L1 not so much. They supposedly came out with a fix for them recently.
The VarioS pumps are also suppose to be very good.
I have a VarioS skimmer pump. Had it for almost a year. Very quiet.

I'm sure you will be deluged with with cheaper options, but IMO, buy a dependable pump the first time.

chipmunkofdoom2 · Mar 25, 2018

The UPS won't give you much backup time, especially if you run a higher-powered device like a return pump. Unless you spend a few hundred dollars or buy a high-capacity UPS meant for servers in a data center, don't expect to get more than a few hours out of it.