How to connect Vortech pump to WXM?

[Krixic]

I have the vortech pumps with WXM module and am trying to connect them to my apex. I cant seem to get it to connect. Maybe I am doing something wrong? I followed the directions at this link https://www.neptunesystems.com/getstarted/wxm/vortech/ and when pressing the "set" button, I dont get a blue/yellow light. I have a Vortech MP10 with a black chip inside (recently upgraded it)

 

[jonmos75]

If you upgraded to Mobius you will need to downgrade the firmware to work on a Reef Link or a WXM module.

Mobius: Firmware Rollback to ESL/WXM

Overview QuietDrive VorTech and Vectra built after 6/1/20, will have Mobius firmware preloaded. We do not recommend performing a firmware rollback unless you already have a large group of devices ...

support.ecotechmarine.com

 

[Krixic]

If you upgraded to Mobius you will need to downgrade the firmware to work on a Reef Link or a WXM module.

Mobius: Firmware Rollback to ESL/WXM

Overview QuietDrive VorTech and Vectra built after 6/1/20, will have Mobius firmware preloaded. We do not recommend performing a firmware rollback unless you already have a large group of devices ...

support.ecotechmarine.com

Thanks, much appreciated

 

[mike550]

@Krixic and @jonmos75 I'm planning to purchase an APEX and already have a MP40 and Vectra M2 pump from Ecotech. I'd appreciate your thoughts on how difficult / safe it ws to "rollback" the firmware on the units and if you think it was worth it. Just trying to figure out the upside / downside vs simply controlling on/off via the EB832

Also -- Is the WXM still for sale or is it being discontinued by Neptune?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Krixic]

@Krixic and @jonmos75 I'm planning to purchase an APEX and already have a MP40 and Vectra M2 pump from Ecotech. I'd appreciate your thoughts on how difficult / safe it ws to "rollback" the firmware on the units and if you think it was worth it. Just trying to figure out the upside / downside vs simply controlling on/off via the EB832

Also -- Is the WXM still for sale or is it being discontinued by Neptune?

Thanks in advance.

Hey! So I accually ended up skipping that bit all together and just used Mobius as I have a vectra M2 so It did not make sense for me to connect to my APEX since I just felt it woud be a pain to have to use two platforms to shut off my devices to go into feed or waterchange modes.

 

[JoshH]

Also -- Is the WXM still for sale or is it being discontinued by Neptune?

Just to add Mike, the WXM has been discontinued by Neptune they have apparently kept a stock of them for any warranty issues for the next little while.

 

[mike550]

@Krixic and @JoshH thanks for your comments and saving me some $$$. Looks like I'll be running my MP40 and Vectra off of Mobius -- which is fine as I also have a Versa doser. Haha. Apex is now relegated to turning things on and off.

 

[CaptainOver]

Just tried to downgrade my MP60 so it would work with all of my other devices and it says that "Downgrading is not supported on this device"...Really?!?

 

[n2585722]

Just tried to downgrade my MP60 so it would work with all of my other devices and it says that "Downgrading is not supported on this device"...Really?!?

The newer MP series pumps cannot be downgraded. Not sure what the exact manufacture date is when that happened.

 

[CaptainOver]

I really hate these walled gardens of hardware. Something worked fine and manages a half dozen other devices...but now I need this random phone app for my lights and pumps. I don't like where this is heading.

 

[n2585722]

I really hate these walled gardens of hardware. Something worked fine and manages a half dozen other devices...but now I need this random phone app for my lights and pumps. I don't like where this is heading.

The Apex and EcoTech are owned by the same holding company. Killing it on the WXM also killed them on the Wave Engine and that might have been the reason for making them where they could not be downgraded. Luckily I have a couple of older MP10's which were controlled by ReefLink so I was able to control them using a Wave Engine using the RF module out of the ReefLink in the Wave Engine.

 

[CaptainOver]

Yep. Just don't enjoy this. I have an Apex plus Trident and NP, 2 MP10's, 2 MP40's, 2 XR15, 1 XR 30 and now an MP60 - plus all the attached sensors, gauges, and such.
I can do almost everything in ApexFusion, but now I can't coordinate my MP10's and MP40's with my MP60 - and have to go to some random phone app to talk to my lights.
That's a lot of money, and it is ridiculous that they disable my MP60 from working with my Apex - and everything else in my aquarium.
It really doesn't have to be this hard. Almost all of this stuff is done through web-services these days, so it can easily be unified, but isn't for business reasons.
I've given you my money...can't you make it easy for me to manage my devices?