Help with Ecotech marine M1 vectra return pump

[JamesisthemanJones]

Where did you read that?

This statement was sent to me by their Support Department Manager.
It was the first question he asked, he mentioned if it is powered by Apex, this voids the warranty !

 

[mfinn]

This statement was sent to me by their Support Department Manager.
It was the first question he asked, he mentioned if it is powered by Apex, this voids the warranty !

So Alex must have said why?

I know Neptune and ETM have their differences, but find it hard to believe that this is done out of spite.

 

[JamesisthemanJones]

So Alex must have said why?

I know Neptune and ETM have their differences, but find it hard to believe that this is done out of spite.

Yes, he said the pump is not designed to be stopped and started frequently !
Like, I feed 3 times a day, is that " Frequently" ??
I am extremely disappointed with their Support and after sales services.

 

[mfinn]

Yes, he said the pump is not designed to be stopped and started frequently !
Like, I feed 3 times a day, is that " Frequently" ??
I am extremely disappointed with their Support and after sales services.

I got the same reply from a Red Dragon representative. And he has said this to me several times in different forums. I only wanted to do 1 feed mode per day.
My RD3 80 watt pump does not have a feed mode in the controller, and I was looking for the bare minimum controller to do this.

The Vectra pumps have their own controller with a feed mode. Why not just use that?

I've always received excellent support from ETM.
Is you negative feedback ( above sentence) based on not getting warranty support, or based on not getting the answer you were looking for?

 

[JamesisthemanJones]

I got the same reply from a Red Dragon representative. And he has said this to me several times in different forums. I only wanted to do 1 feed mode per day.
My RD3 80 watt pump does not have a feed mode in the controller, and I was looking for the bare minimum controller to do this.

The Vectra pumps have their own controller with a feed mode. Why not just use that?

I've always received excellent support from ETM.
Is you negative feedback ( above sentence) based on not getting warranty support, or based on not getting the answer you were looking for?

My negative feedback is based on the fact, at no point did ecotech mention their Vectra is not Apex compatible, not in brochures, not in the pump manual, nowhere !
Stopping the pump 3 times in 24 hrs is not considered frequent and cannot be !
This is like you buy a light bulb, and then discover you cannot turn the light on and off more than twice a day, or you lose warranty !!
If Ecotech had their own controller, I would gladly use it to control my equipment, but they don't ! and Until they have their own controller, they cannot prevent the users from using controllers such as the APEX on their equipment !

To answer your question about using the vectra feeding mode, this won't work with me, since most of my feeding occurs automatically while I am at work, and during feeding, the return pump stops, the skimmer stops and my Vortech pumps stop, then they all resume work after 5 minutes.

 

[mfinn]

My negative feedback is based on the fact, at no point did ecotech mention their Vectra is not Apex compatible, not in brochures, not in the pump manual, nowhere !
Stopping the pump 3 times in 24 hrs is not considered frequent and cannot be !
This is like you buy a light bulb, and then discover you cannot turn the light on and off more than twice a day, or you lose warranty !!

To answer your question about using the vectra feeding mode, this won't work with me, since most of my feeding occurs automatically while I am at work, and during feeding, the return pump stops, the skimmer stops and my Vortech pumps stop, then they all resume work after 5 minutes.

The issue between ETM and Neptune has been going on for years, ever since the Vectras came out. That fact is pretty well known.

Comparing a light bulb to a pump is apples and oranges.

Looks like you need a new pump.

 

[JamesisthemanJones]

The issue between ETM and Neptune has been going on for years, ever since the Vectras came out. That fact is pretty well known.

Comparing a light bulb to a pump is apples and oranges.

Looks like you need a new pump.

No it is not well known, and the number of negative feedbacks this pump receives is astonishingly high, which suggests that it is not known.

Also, the fact that there is no mention of this compatibility issue anywhere on their website or in their pump manual makes it even worse.

And to add to all the above, ALL their products are APEX compatible ( Radions, Vortechs, etc.) if the exception is the Vectra pump, doesn't that deserve to be highlighted so people don't assume all their line of products is Apex compatible??

Finally, the comparison is NOT similar to comparing apples to oranges, a Pump is a Pump and the user has the right to control it the way he sees fit, as long as he has not gone against the instructions in the pump manual or on the product web page.

 

[mfinn]

No it is not well known, and the number of negative feedbacks this pump receives is astonishingly high, which suggests that it is not known.

Also, the fact that there is no mention of this compatibility issue anywhere on their website or in their pump manual makes it even worse.

And to add to all the above, ALL their products are APEX compatible ( Radions, Vortechs, etc.) if the exception is the Vectra pump, doesn't that deserve to be highlighted so people don't assume all their line of products is Apex compatible??

Finally, the comparison is NOT similar to comparing apples to oranges, a Pump is a Pump and the user has the right to control it the way he sees fit, as long as he has not gone against the instructions in the pump manual or on the product web page.

A simple google search on apex and vectra compatibility brings up a links to the neptune forum, reef2reef and reef central forums that should have caused warning bells to go off. This has been going on since the vectras came out.
While the price on these products would make you think they are perfect, they are not. You just need to do the research.
The apples and oranges comparison was in reply to your light bulb and water pump comparison.

 

[mfinn]

Also, the fact that there is no mention of this compatibility issue anywhere on their website or in their pump manual makes it even worse.

I'm not sure that a product manufacturer is required to list their product shortcomings on the website or manual, but in a way I feel sorry for you buying into a expensive pump and not having it live up to your expectations.
Hopefully you do find a pump that works for you and your system.
You should be able to get a decent price on your vectra once you do find a replacement.
Good luck.

 

[JamesisthemanJones]

A simple google search on apex and vectra compatibility brings up a links to the neptune forum, reef2reef and reef central forums that should have caused warning bells to go off. This has been going on since the vectras came out.
While the price on these products would make you think they are perfect, they are not. You just need to do the research.
The apples and oranges comparison was in reply to your light bulb and water pump comparison.

Manuals and product brochures are supposed to guide you on how to use the product properly, advise of any compatibility issues, etc.

One should not need to google if a Vectra is compatible with Apex, because if it is not, that should be mentioned in the product online literature, packaging, manual, etc.

The fact none of the above mention the compatibility issue, makes me think this is done intentionally by ETM in order not to lose sales opportunities, should it be known their pump is not compatible with the number 1 Aquarium Controller in the world !!

This is cheating ! They would rather make you purchase the pump, knowing that it will fail when used with Apex, and instead of them taking ownership and providing replacement parts, or repairs., they blame the customer for using the product as per their own manual !

This is very shady !

 

[mfinn]

Manuals and product brochures are supposed to guide you on how to use the product properly, advise of any compatibility issues, etc.

One should not need to google if a Vectra is compatible with Apex, because if it is not, that should be mentioned in the product online literature, packaging, manual, etc.

The fact none of the above mention the compatibility issue, makes me think this is done intentionally by ETM in order not to lose sales opportunities, should it be known their pump is not compatible with the number 1 Aquarium Controller in the world !!

This is cheating ! They would rather make you purchase the pump, knowing that it will fail when used with Apex, and instead of them taking ownership and providing replacement parts, or repairs., they blame the customer for using the product as per their own manual !

This is very shady !

It's on you if you don't do the research, plain and simple.

 

[JamesisthemanJones]

It's on you if you don't do the research, plain and simple.

The plain and simple part is that you have no idea what you are talking about !

Kessil stand behind their products no matter what, early last year, I received from them a replacement A360WE light after my light lost some PAR past the one year warranty, no questions asked !

They even let me keep my old light and did not request me to send it back to them !

Now this is is what I call customer service !

Not this shady ETM support we, their (previously but never again) loyal customers and their salary payers, receive from them !

 

[ca1ore]

I think you are confused. There is nothing wrong with using one of your apex outlets to power the Vectra, it's the frequent cycling on and off that's the problem. It's not a Vectra problem either - any pump cycled with that frequency will end up not restarting at some point. I've never really understood why folks think it's a good idea to shut down the pump during feeding anyhow.

As for apex controllability, it was never promised for the Vectra - even if many people assumed it would happen. It is too bad, but the reality is that ETM and Neptune have become much more competitive in the last few years. Just as Neptune has ventured into pumps, it would not surprise me to see a controller from ETM at some point.

 

[JamesisthemanJones]

I think you are confused. There is nothing wrong with using one of your apex outlets to power the Vectra, it's the frequent cycling on and off that's the problem. It's not a Vectra problem either - any pump cycled with that frequency will end up not restarting at some point. I've never really understood why folks think it's a good idea to shut down the pump during feeding anyhow.

As for apex controllability, it was never promised for the Vectra - even if many people assumed it would happen. It is too bad, but the reality is that ETM and Neptune have become much more competitive in the last few years. Just as Neptune has ventured into pumps, it would not surprise me to see a controller from ETM at some point.

LOL, obviously you are confused !

What cycling frequency are you talking about? THREE on/ off times a day and you call that frequent cycling !!! You're kidding right?

I do not know the reason you are defending them, but at least try to be reasonable when you do so !

The fact is, they took my money and gave me a shady product, 80% of people who bought it, have had everlasting issues with it, they are aware of it, and they do nothing about it...

This company is definitely not getting my $$$ again, and if they do make a controller one day, well poor corals, poor fish, and poor hobbyists !

 

[ca1ore]

LOL, obviously you are confused !

Nope!

What cycling frequency are you talking about? THREE on/ off times a day and you call that frequent cycling !!! You're kidding right?

Yes ..... and Nope!

I do not know the reason you are defending them, but at least try to be reasonable when you do so !

Not defending, just observing ..... I think you are the one being unreasonable (see your next 'point') ..... or confused.

The fact is, they took my money and gave me a shady product, 80% of people who bought it, have had everlasting issues with it, they are aware of it, and they do nothing about it.

..... and the basis for your 80% is what? BTW, absent hyperbole, which weakens the argument, it's not an entirely unfair accusation that the Vectra has been unreliable!

This company is definitely not getting my $$$ again, and if they do make a controller one day, well poor corals, poor fish, and poor hobbyists !

Your choice, of course.

 

[JamesisthemanJones]

80% negative reviews on BRS, Marinedepot, etc.

Anyway, I am done commenting on this, if you were the one who spent $500 on a pump that hardly makes 14 months in operation, you would not be taking this position !

The fact Kessil stands behind their products and Ecotech does not, well that tells me a lot !

 

[mfinn]

This too funny now.
I'd be upset too if I spent $500 on a $350 pump.

 

[ca1ore]

FWIW, I did buy the Vectra M1 when it first came out, for $350. Perhaps I have been fortunate because I have had no trouble with mine in that time - though I've probably power cycled it less than 10 times in that, what, year and a half. BTW, hopefully people understand that BRS reviews are unlikely to be statistically significant, and that people tend to grouse more publicly than they do to praise. This thread is a perfect example.

 

[ca1ore]

Kessil stand behind their products no matter what, early last year, I received from them a replacement A360WE light after my light lost some PAR past the one year warranty, no questions asked !

They even let me keep my old light and did not request me to send it back to them !

Now this is is what I call customer service !

Man, you are a fount of misinformation. The reason Kessil replaced your light after one year (they did the same for me) is that their warranty is actually TWO years. Oh, BTW I have had post warranty accommodations from ETM as well.

 

[CoralB]

Then it would never shut off for feeding and that is kind of the point. I could just turn the feed timer off of the apex code and it would stay on with no problems, The problem is happening when it shuts off for feeding (so my food doesnt go over the overflow) it wont start back up even though it has power to it

Then why are you calling ecotech??? It sounds like a apex issue not ecotech