Does anyone know if the Ecotech Vectra L1 redesign has improved the failure rates? I've read so many stories about them melting the impeller housing. Supposedly they changed the material and the new ones perform better. Can anyone confirm this?
Vectra L1
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Addicted2ACRO's
Valuable Member
I have 2 of them, one for each of my systems, and haven't had a problem. I have heard if you add a lot of Kalkwasser the impellar will stop turning because of lime build up around the magnet and inner area where the magnet is inserted into
Addicted2ACRO's
Valuable Member
Thats a good question...how can you tell the difference?
Addicted2ACRO's
Valuable Member
Ok...both of my housings are white
Tom Blevins
Acroholic
I am 0 for 2 so went back to the Jebao.
Addicted2ACRO's
Valuable Member
Not the pumps itself, but inside where the impeller goes. You would have to take it apart to see. Not sure I was clear on that...[/QUOTE]
Yes...I understood...I have taken them apart for cleaning and they both are white
Yes...I understood...I have taken them apart for cleaning and they both are white
NeverlosT
SPS nut
I had failures (2) with the old design, and the new design has fouled and slowed down requiring cleaning, but not melted down like the old ones. I like the design, but it is not very tolerant of biofouling, and the cooling loop could function a lot better. So in short, the redesign improved things (no more meltdown) but there are still some issues.
After several near-failures in the last week or so (80% reduction in power for about an hour, then resumed back to normal), I pulled my L1 out to clean it in case that was the problem. While doing so, I noticed this warping inside the impeller chamber:
I'm assuming this is the same issue mentioned? Obviously a white chamber, so "old" model, I guess...
I've got a different pump in there now, which was my backup pump. Guess it's going to become my primary and this will be the backup...
Note - never used kalk, but I run a relatively dirty tank, so the pump is often less than perfectly clean. I only ran it at 40%, however. Even at that rate, it still added a hefty amount of excess heat into the system, I always thought... Perhaps I've had a "kinda' faulty" unit and didn't know about it?
I'm assuming this is the same issue mentioned? Obviously a white chamber, so "old" model, I guess...
I've got a different pump in there now, which was my backup pump. Guess it's going to become my primary and this will be the backup...
Note - never used kalk, but I run a relatively dirty tank, so the pump is often less than perfectly clean. I only ran it at 40%, however. Even at that rate, it still added a hefty amount of excess heat into the system, I always thought... Perhaps I've had a "kinda' faulty" unit and didn't know about it?
Reefcowboy
Well-Known Member
I sold mine new before I even found out what issues I could possibly have. My tank is a 150gal, I didnt need 3000gph so I went with the Neptune Cor20. Had I needed the higher capacity pump, I would have stuck with the L1. Ill take the vectras failing probability any day over current Jebao pumps, at least customer service is there. Have had many jebao pumps fail right off the gate. I keep jebaos as backup, in case the main one goes down so I have time to order a new one. The funny thing is...arent vectra pump bodies manufactured by Jebao as well?
I was told Ecotech was replacing the old design by new ones. Sort of they didnt come out saying it as they arent stupid to want to announce it, but would do so to owners with the bad design.
It seems the old design units clearly show melting of the impeller compartment, so if it is running for a while, it will have signs or plastic deforming, mainly when ran outside the sump(dry).
I was told Ecotech was replacing the old design by new ones. Sort of they didnt come out saying it as they arent stupid to want to announce it, but would do so to owners with the bad design.
It seems the old design units clearly show melting of the impeller compartment, so if it is running for a while, it will have signs or plastic deforming, mainly when ran outside the sump(dry).
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BantyRooster97
Valuable Member
Are the issues on pumps running dry? Or in the sump?
Ligershark
Well-Known Member
when mine was replaced it was running externally and had the warping.
My pump was running in the sump.
