I am definitely interested in upgrading the driver on my mp60 and mp40 and look forward to the quieter pumps. It is great news that EcoTech is releasing this update. It seems odd to take 10 years to fix a noise issue but, whatever. A little competition certainly causes existing manufacturers to look at their products and update them to stay competitive. I like this. I just think the use of the word "revolutionary" is stretching it A LOT. Maxi jet to MP40, that is revolutionary. MP40 to quieter MP40 is just evolution. They made a design change to the wet side, stronger pump on dry side and did a software update on the driver. Ok, I forgot to mention something about the cabling being thinner and more pliable but what am I missing? What is so revolutionary? This is just version 3.0.
One thing I find interesting is the desire to salvage some marketshare by changing long pulse to gyre mode. What has changed with this mode besides its name? In the current documentation, EcoTech has recommendation around 4 pumps to create a gyre which is significantly more expensive than just buying a gyre pump so what does this mode do differently than Long pulse?
eg8r210 great points and questions!
From my understanding, the use of words like "revolutionize" are not to suggest that the new QuietDrive will turn the aquarium industry's view of pumps upside down. Rather, the
technology used to operate the pump is revolutionary. These sentiments are evident in statements like:
"...revolutionary new drive system boasts increased efficiency and significantly reduced motor noise." (QuietDrive Information Packet)
"...a revolution in DC motor performance." (Jake Adams, Reef Builders)
Although, not being a mechanical engineer myself, I can only trust the claims from those who are.
I'm sure this has been talked to death in many other forums over the years.....but.
From my research, which hasn't been as extensive as it could have been (I blame my lack of a dream aquarium industry career with the freedom to obsess just a
little more

), the "gyre" flow idea started around 2005
1. I'm trying to find the exact date that the EcoSmart User Manual, rev. 1.0, was published but it seems to be the first pump to claim gyre-flow capability. To me, using the four pump configuration, that EcoTech suggests with Long Pulse Mode, would be more effective at producing a gyre without dead spots than the current leading gyre-flow pump. If you watch the demonstrations and review the graphic representations of the singular gyre-flow producing pump, you'll see a dead spot created directly underneath it. Conversely, stacking two VorTech pumps on either side of an aquarium and programming them to EcoTech's recommendations would seem to eliminate any dead spots throughout.
Of course this is all speculation on my part, seeing as I don't have all of these pieces of equipment to test my hypothesis, BUT the neutrally buoyant beads that are floating around the aquarium in my mind suggests I'm close.... :wink::nerd:
1)*
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