EcoTech Marine S1 Vectra questions

[Royal_Reef]

I'm so excited that EcoTech has released the S1 I have mine coming in within the next few days. As I stare out my window hoping to get word from my LFS for D day "Delivery day". I was wondering if there's other members of Reef 2 Reef that plan on picking one up for their tanks or next tank builds?

I have a 40 G IM that I'm thinking I might set it up to. I've wanted to upgrade my factory IM return pump for some time now, and the release of the Vectra S1 couldn't have come at a better time.

Since my 40 G IM is all in one I think it might be a challenge to get it to fit. So I was thinking of setting up a refugium with a chamber for the pump. I have my Apex 2016 model controlling my MP40 and my Radion but the module won't control the S1 unfortunately, I wanted to know if anyone has any recommendations to controlling the S1 I was hoping to hear that EcoTech allowed Neptune Systems the right to adding it to the WXM module but no luck. At this point I'm thinking it's worth investing into a reeflink what are your thoughts?

 

[justingraham]

If u have more then one Ecotech product the reeflink is worth it if it is just to control the return pump u can go without it

 

[Royal_Reef]

Yeah good point for the $100 I think it's worth it.

 

[Kyl]

Given the spat that Neptune and Ecotech appear to be engaged in with both companies pointing blame at each-other for the WXM <> Vectra roadblock, I wouldn't count on that pump being externally controllable via anything other than Ecosmart live for the foreseeable future. Frankly coming from a controller perspective, I think a lot of the functionality is wasted without ESL, so that means you get to spend another $100 and pick up a Reeflink.

Aren't walled gardens great?

 

[cono]

hey just wanted to say I also purchased the s1 for my skimmer . when I plumbed it the top fitting kept on skipping and had to put a massive amount of Teflon on the fitting to stay put.
then when I contacted them they told me just to put Teflon tape on it and it would be fine.
after paying close to $300. for this pump that was the response they gave me

 

[jd371]

I'm installing one in my tank this weekend. After 2 years of flawless operation from the Jebao DC 6000 I thought it was time for an upgrade of the return pump. Bought the S1 and the Jebao will be my backup.

when I plumbed it the top fitting kept on skipping and had to put a massive amount of Teflon on the fitting to stay put.

By skipping do you mean the collar wouldn't tighten down like the threads were stripped? The reason I ask is I remember reading (can't remember what forum) that two other people complained about the same thing. I checked mine when I took it out of the box and the collar tightens down snug. Maybe a problem with some of them from the manufacturer.

 

[cono]

look on bulk reef supply

 

[jd371]

I saw the reviews and that's why I checked mine when I received it. I tightened it down and it was snug and even pulling on it and it didn't budge so I'm wondering if it's a problem with some of them. I'm installing it this weekend so I hope I don't run into problems.

 

[ca1ore]

These pumps don't have US standard threads (NPT). So you either use the blue collar fittings, buy BSP adapters or slather on the thread sealant.

 

[NYC_Reef]

I saw the reviews and that's why I checked mine when I received it. I tightened it down and it was snug and even pulling on it and it didn't budge so I'm wondering if it's a problem with some of them. I'm installing it this weekend so I hope I don't run into problems.

I did have the same experience with the threads that others have mentioned. A few times when I was screwing the top piece on it would skip a thread/loosen if [over?]tightened, but it still screwed on easily and didn't feel like the threads were being crossed. Other times it would tighten down just fine without skipping a thread, so I'm not sure if it was an alignment issue or what. I ended up using teflon tape and made sure to keep the blue fitting level as I slowly tightened it down until snug.

I've been using the S1 as my return sitting in the sump for 2 weeks now and haven't had any issues with it becoming disconnected or loose. I actually didn't even think about the thread issue again until I noticed several negative reviews on BRS. Besides this minor annoyance, the pump is dead silent and a breeze to setup and get dialed in.

Yeah good point for the $100 I think it's worth it.

Given the spat that Neptune and Ecotech appear to be engaged in with both companies pointing blame at each-other for the WXM <> Vectra roadblock, I wouldn't count on that pump being externally controllable via anything other than Ecosmart live for the foreseeable future. Frankly coming from a controller perspective, I think a lot of the functionality is wasted without ESL, so that means you get to spend another $100 and pick up a Reeflink.

Agreed that the Reeflink is worth the investment. I considered buying the WXM, but I prefer the ESL interface and its nice to have some redundancy in case my apex is temporarily out of commission

 

[jd371]

Installed over the weekend. I used the blue collar so there were no issues with it coming loose. The Jebao that the S1 is replacing was quite, you'd have to open the cabinet doors to hear anything and then it was just a very low whine, but the S1 is super quite, I can't hear anything even with the cabinet doors open.

 

[g5flier]

I read the reviews with the issues but thought they had fixed this issue by now. I own an M1 as well and it works great BUT...Just got my S1 today, total point of sale. The 0.75 slip doesn't tighten down all the way and easily pulls off, thats right you can PULL it off right over the threads. Really! This has a manufactured date of NOV 13 2017, they are KNOWINGLY still making them like this, shame on EcoTech. Needless to say its going back tomorrow.

 

[Water Dog]

Old thread, I know, but people using the Vectra S1 pumps, are you still experiencing the blue collar slippage issues?

 

[cono]

Yes the blue collar never worked ...what I did was use the PVC fitting and some teflon tape and it's on there secure

 

[Water Dog]

I can’t believe they haven’t addressed this issue.

 

[jd371]

Yeah, last time I cleaned the pump it was slipping when I was putting it together again. It felt secure but if you wiggled the blue collar at all it would start to loosen. I got it secure enough with a lot of teflon tape but next time I clean it I will fix it with one of these.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/vectra-m1-bsp-to-sch-40-slip-adapter-kit-ecotech-marine.html

 

[cono]

If you look online you can find the fitting for around 2 bucks