EcoTech Versa tube lifespan

Ecotech Marine
Jump to Last
Tidal Gardens
I couldn’t wait a few days for the replacement tubes so I took a chance on Amazon next day delivery after I saw very useful infos posted here.
Here is my very short experiment. I ordered this tube on Amazon and it worked very well since Sunday afternoon. It’s way to early to tell how long this tube will last but it seems to hold pressure well, very accurate and only $8 per 10ft :).
I calibrated a few times before running the CaRx again. I’m using two small zip ties to tie the ends and they seem to holding up well. The whole thing took about 5 minutes to replace.
In case the link doesn’t work. It’s 3/16 ID x 5/16 OD or 5mm x 8mm silicone tubing.
I think the original tube is Pharmed BPT. You can get it here if you have time to spare.

3/16" ID x 5/16" OD x 1/16" Wall PharMed® Tubing | U.S. Plastic Corp.

Ideal for fermentation, synthesis, separation, purification, control systems, process monitoring, and protecting sensitive cell cultures....
www.usplastic.com www.usplastic.com
Good luck and happy reefing
 
ledvu12 said:
I couldn’t wait a few days for the replacement tubes so I took a chance on Amazon next day delivery after I saw very useful infos posted here.
Here is my very short experiment. I ordered this tube on Amazon and it worked very well since Sunday afternoon. It’s way to early to tell how long this tube will last but it seems to hold pressure well, very accurate and only $8 per 10ft :).
I calibrated a few times before running the CaRx again. I’m using two small zip ties to tie the ends and they seem to holding up well. The whole thing took about 5 minutes to replace.
In case the link doesn’t work. It’s 3/16 ID x 5/16 OD or 5mm x 8mm silicone tubing.
I think the original tube is Pharmed BPT. You can get it here if you have time to spare.

3/16" ID x 5/16" OD x 1/16" Wall PharMed® Tubing | U.S. Plastic Corp.

Ideal for fermentation, synthesis, separation, purification, control systems, process monitoring, and protecting sensitive cell cultures....
www.usplastic.com www.usplastic.com
Good luck and happy reefing
Click to expand...
Any update how the new tubing worked? Thanks
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
chanson said:
Any update how the new tubing worked? Thanks
Click to expand...
I'm not the person you asked the question to, but I picked up some of the Pharma tubing from US Plastics. So far so good. I ran a number of pre-tests before I started using it in the Versa pump for my CAL Rx. The only thing I am not exactly sure on is the length of the tubing. I measured the new tubing against the old tubing, but the old tubing was hard and it look like it had shrunk. So I had to guess at the length. If someone has the exact length that would be helpful. I found the Versa pump calibrated just fine and after running it for 24 hours, I rechecked the calibration and it was spot on. I did make sure to use the lube to lubricate the Pharma tubing.
 
KenO said:
I'm not the person you asked the question to, but I picked up some of the Pharma tubing from US Plastics. So far so good. I ran a number of pre-tests before I started using it in the Versa pump for my CAL Rx. The only thing I am not exactly sure on is the length of the tubing. I measured the new tubing against the old tubing, but the old tubing was hard and it look like it had shrunk. So I had to guess at the length. If someone has the exact length that would be helpful. I found the Versa pump calibrated just fine and after running it for 24 hours, I rechecked the calibration and it was spot on. I did make sure to use the lube to lubricate the Pharma tubing.
Click to expand...
How is it still working out? I’m thinking about trying this out.

I bought some new versa pumps early this year and finally decided to set them up this month. But they barely prime and won’t hold the prime that long before I see the liquid reversing back into the container. I am pretty sure it’s because the tubing got warped sitting in the box being pinched by the rollers for months and can’t pinch the tubing properly anymore. They need to send these pumps without the tubing between the rollers.

I messaged ecotech about getting replacement tubing and they want me to send the entire pumps back in. The shipping would cost me the same as just buying new tubing. So I wanted to just buy my own new tubing but they are never in stock anywhere. It’s extremely frustrating.

So I think my best option is just to buy this tubing and do it myself. But I really wish ecotech would just send me some new tubing, so I didn’t have to jerry rig it myself.
 
Last edited:
holdthecoffee said:
How is it still working out? I’m thinking about trying this out.

I bought some new versa pumps early this year and finally decided to set them up this month. But they barely prime and won’t hold the prime that long before I see the liquid reversing back into the container. I am pretty sure it’s because the tubing got warped sitting in the box being pinched by the rollers for months and can’t pinch the tubing properly anymore. They need to send these pumps without the tubing between the rollers.

I messaged ecotech about getting replacement tubing and they want me to send the entire pumps back in. The shipping would cost me the same as just buying new tubing. So I wanted to just buy my own new tubing but they are never in stock anywhere. It’s extremely frustrating.

So I think my best option is just to buy this tubing and do it myself. But I really wish ecotech would just send me some new tubing, so I didn’t have to jerry rig it myself.
Click to expand...
If you do their warranty program where they charge your CC a $1, they will send you a new pump. They will also include a return shipping label.
So far so good with the pharma tubing I picked up.
 
KenO said:
If you do their warranty program where they charge your CC a $1, they will send you a new pump. They will also include a return shipping label.
So far so good with the pharma tubing I picked up.
Click to expand...
Hmmm didn’t see that as an option. This is what they sent me:


RMA Request Confirmation

First Steps: Package the unit that you wish to return to EcoTech Marine for service. EcoTechMarine products are highly engineered and should be packaged with care.
For VorTech Pumps: Completely clean and dry the wet-side of your propeller pump before packaging. For MP10: Place rubber between dry-side and wet-side to avoid damage. For MP40: (for ES models)Adjust the pin spacer to storage setting to avoid damage. For QD models, place rubber between dry-side and wet-side to avoid damage. For MP60: Place a spacer onto the wet-side as well as another spacer onto the dry-side to avoid damage. Products damaged during shipping due to improper packaging will not be covered under warranty.

Print out a copy of this email to place along with your product when returning and write your RMA number clearly on the outside of the package.

Shipments from Customer to EcoTech
Please note that the customer is responsible for the shipping costs to EcoTech Marine for the return of the defective products(s). For proof of your item being delivered and received by EcoTech, it is suggested that the products(s) be shipped via a carrier. As an example, UPS, FedEx, or any other shipping method which yields a tracking number.

Shipments from EcoTech to Customer
For units that were serviced within the warranty period, EcoTech is responsible for the cost of shipping back to the customer. For units that are outside the warranty period, shipping charges must be covered by the customer. All shipments are shipped from Allentown, PA.

Once you have properly packaged your product and included a copy of this confirmation, ship defective unit to:
 
holdthecoffee said:
Hmmm didn’t see that as an option. This is what they sent me:


RMA Request Confirmation

First Steps: Package the unit that you wish to return to EcoTech Marine for service. EcoTechMarine products are highly engineered and should be packaged with care.
For VorTech Pumps: Completely clean and dry the wet-side of your propeller pump before packaging. For MP10: Place rubber between dry-side and wet-side to avoid damage. For MP40: (for ES models)Adjust the pin spacer to storage setting to avoid damage. For QD models, place rubber between dry-side and wet-side to avoid damage. For MP60: Place a spacer onto the wet-side as well as another spacer onto the dry-side to avoid damage. Products damaged during shipping due to improper packaging will not be covered under warranty.

Print out a copy of this email to place along with your product when returning and write your RMA number clearly on the outside of the package.

Shipments from Customer to EcoTech
Please note that the customer is responsible for the shipping costs to EcoTech Marine for the return of the defective products(s). For proof of your item being delivered and received by EcoTech, it is suggested that the products(s) be shipped via a carrier. As an example, UPS, FedEx, or any other shipping method which yields a tracking number.

Shipments from EcoTech to Customer
For units that were serviced within the warranty period, EcoTech is responsible for the cost of shipping back to the customer. For units that are outside the warranty period, shipping charges must be covered by the customer. All shipments are shipped from Allentown, PA.

Once you have properly packaged your product and included a copy of this confirmation, ship defective unit to:
Click to expand...
I called ecotech directly.
this was an email response I received. I did the $1 exchange program. I don't see it listed on their website.


Ken,

Thanks for that information, and I can proceed with having your product replaced with a new one under warranty! To proceed, please give us a call to complete your warranty exchange. We can be reached by calling 610-954-8480 Ext. 2, and our phone lines are open from 9 am - 5 pm EST Monday-Friday.
 
KenO said:
I called ecotech directly.
this was an email response I received. I did the $1 exchange program. I don't see it listed on their website.


Ken,

Thanks for that information, and I can proceed with having your product replaced with a new one under warranty! To proceed, please give us a call to complete your warranty exchange. We can be reached by calling 610-954-8480 Ext. 2, and our phone lines are open from 9 am - 5 pm EST Monday-Friday.
Click to expand...
Thanks, will give them a call.
 
Tidal Gardens
Anyone have any updates on their tubing experiments?
 
I bought the amazon one and it works fine once it's properly lubricated. If it's not lubricated the motor can stall. It's pretty rigid tubing.

I ordered some pharma tubing and plan on replacing it when it comes in (it's been over a month since I ordered it and won't be in stock till December... hopefully...)
 
AcanthurusRex said:
The tubing is 8mm X 4.8mm. One can buy PharMed BPT tubing on eBay from Kamoer.
I took the leaking 1st gen hose assembly apart and I don't see any reason why one could not replace the tubing. There is a considerable difference in pump output on the Kamoer between the silicon and PharMed tubing.
Click to expand...
After spending $50 and waiting over a month for the tubing to ship from China I can confidently say that these measurements are incorrect. You can cram this tubing into the versa but it is such a tight fit that it can't spin with this tubing installed. My original versa tubing was too deformed to get measurements from so I foolishly put faith in the measurements listed here. Lesson learned.
 
If anyone here wants to sell there versas I would happily buy them, I know they have there issues but I just love the look of them and cannot stand coralvue (USA kamoer) they literally have the worst customer service and I spent 700$+ on the pro stepper T (versa knock off) and they all clicked and clacked and got stuck all the time, all within the first week of use for all 4 units I bought, I would rather pay to replace the tubing more often than have to deal with Jeremy from coralvue
 
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IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

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    Votes: 3 4.3%
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