Vectra pumps are unreliable

[ksed]

I couldn't agree with this post more. Production issues aside, DC pumps run much tighter impeller clearances than AC pumps, so even in the best cases, they require more frequent cleaning and are more prone to blockage.

This is my assumption as well. Perhaps this is one of the ways they gain these types of efficiency claimed towards DC pumps.
I have not measured the tolerances between the stator and rotor , so I really can’t confirm if this is the case.

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

This is my assumption as well. Perhaps this is one of the ways they gain these types of efficiency claimed towards DC pumps.
I have not measured the tolerances between the stator and rotor , so I really can’t confirm if this is the case.

The conversation here is regarding powerheads, so a little different focus, but the Terence commenting is Terence from Neptune:
https://reefs.com/2017/10/27/importance-water-movement-reef-aquarium/

I think in recent years switching from AC power to DC power has changed a lot of things. Can you tell me the pros and cons of both?
Terence: AC power heads do have some advantages over DC, but I do not think they outweigh the pros of the DC pump. One, for instance, is that AC pumps can endure far more abuse, dirt, scale, etc. This is partly due to the fact that the tolerances in the motor design do not need to be so tight. Also, for many consumers, the ease of use of simply plugging something in and having it work is very attractive. On the negative side, AC pumps can fail and shock you and your animals. This is an issue on 120V, but it is especially troubling on 240V systems like those overseas. AC pumps traditionally do not have the ability to be controlled – random wave patterns and such. Some devices have found a way to do this, but in every instance I have seen (even the latest models from Italy) it has some big downsides – audible noise, as well as radio interference (caused by varying the AC power) are two of the biggest issues. In some of our tests, the radio interference was so bad, it caused the USB on our computer to stop working altogether – and it was 5 feet away and not connected in any way to the computer. Finally, AC powerheads traditionally consume much more power per gph of flow provided than their DC counterparts.

DC pumps have the advantage of having the ability for advanced scheduling of fluctuations in the output of the pump. Both with various wave patterns, but also through time of day. DC powerheads operate on safe voltages. DC powerheads use less energy per gph. The biggest issue I have found with all DC powerheads (maybe except the Vortech – which has another set of different issues) is that they need to be maintained more often and cleaned more often to keep them running.

 

[Redsoxclover]

So the consensus in this thread seems to be , M1 isn’t failing and L1 commonly does ?? The only difference is the motor size . I run mine out of sump , but my friend runs his in sump and he’s on his third one as well. I figured there would be someone to blame the setup . The thing about that is it’s setup with their own design to the returns . There isn’t much option besides with the way the intake and return are already setup.

 

[ca1ore]

I'm surprised to see this feedback on these pumps. I've been running the same M1 for two and a half years without problems.

I was about to comment that it hasn't been out for 2 1/2 years ..... went to look for my receipt ..... holy smokes, it HAS been 2 1/2 years (almost) ...... where does the time go LOL

 

[ihavecrabs]

I was about to comment that it hasn't been out for 2 1/2 years ..... went to look for my receipt ..... holy smokes, it HAS been 2 1/2 years (almost) ...... where does the time go LOL

I was surprised too!

 

[Garbonzo]

I have the M1, and the only problem was it got be once or twice a day it would simply stop. It would vibrate and the impellor would stop turning. It was cleaned and the impellor was slick as a whistle, but it would freeze and drain an extra 6 gals into the sump. Since I received the replacement, I haven't had a single issue.

 

[Bmezz]

I run submerged, control thru reeflink and never any problems with my L1. Maybe worried now but really the thing has been running flawlessly. maybe individual configurations like head pressure, flow rate, pipe size, etc make a difference? Ive been very happy with customer service sending replacement parts for my backup battery which needed a new power adapter and new adapter to the controller. I use Ecotech vectra L1, two radion 30 gen 4 pro and 2 mp-40s. All work together very well. no complaints. very sorry you have such a hard time...I wish customer service would trouble shoot with you looking at the system as well?

 

[MegaZombi]

I only had 1 problem with my M1, in that It locked up due to calcium and I had to clean it. I'm now running a Reef Octopus Varios 8 and I'm seriously impressed.

 

[Redsoxclover]

I run 3 radion gen 4 pro, 3 mp 40s , reeflink , Vectra and nyos quantum skimmer . I clean all of my equipment out of tank every other month and I clean all the pumps and skimmer every month. This is the 5th pump I’ve used on different saltwater aquariums . I really liked the reeflo dart pump but I didn’t have the space on this setup so I chose this smaller pump . Now I’m thinking about getting a smaller sump and going back to the reeflo.

 

[Daltrey]

I use all ecotech products and couldn’t be happier. You can follow in my build thread.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/daltreys-red-sea-reefer-750-xxl-build.351366/

 

[MartinWaite]

If your pump was only replaced with a new one in April 2017 we'll then it's technically still within a 1 years warrantyso they should pay the postage for the return not you. I've heard of more complaints about ecotech pumps than any other and I certainly wouldn't buy a one, I don't even like the way they do replacement parts one of my snails decided it wanted to venture into my MP10 w anyway the impeller broke so I went to my lfs for a replacement to be told Ecotech only sell a replacement wetside at nearly £50 and don't do an impeller what a ripoff.

 

[SonoranReefer]

When setting up my tank I was just about ready to pull the trigger on an M1. After talking with someone I know who owns a dozen vectras and had problems with ALL of them and reading plenty of reviews saying the same thing I decided to go with a RO Varios-6 instead. It has been up for about 4 months now and has been a fantastic pump and ended up being a little cheaper than the Vectra anyways. For the price Ecotech is commanding for the Vectra makes it one of the more expensive options out there, when you are at that price level your product can’t have these issues imo.

The one other thing that really ended up pushing me towards the Varios instead was the ability for full APEX control. I can’t believe the Vectra has no option for APEX controllability, I’d think people who are willing to spend the money on a Vectra are people who are willing to spend the money for an APEX system. I’m sure this may be something more along the lines of the reeflink or on Neptune’s side, but the Vortechs have a module to make them work. Speaking of my MP40 has worked flawlessly

 

[Reefanatik]

I have a L1 submerged as a return and a M1 submerged on my skimmer. No problems at all with either one so far and I've had them for a year now. I've been really pleased with them as I have been with all my ecotech pumps. (4 MP40QDs)

 

[Slicktop]

I have a L-1 and love it. I have it in the sump, it feeds my protein skimmer, and duel reactor. I only run it on setting 6 of 12. Easy to clean and very quiet.

 

[Tobbe]

i also have been lucky did buy the vectra m1 first week it was released in europe as i have be very happy with ecotech products like radions and today have 9 g4pro and 2 g3pro
mp60´s and mp40´s and mp10 on fragtank and no problem then reading this i look and se i never cleaned the m1 so i now that i will do this weekend i use it on a smal 380 litre tank and run it ca 50% as plain return

I hope it works out for you as 3 pumps in less one year is terrible

 

[ClintL]

Im on my second L1, the pump started melting around the impeller. Ecotech replaced it quickly for me.

 

[Jim Heenan]

I'm a happy customer with my M1. Way better than any AC pump I've owned. Just though I'd chime in.

 

[Jeff_H]

I have a M1 submerged (return pump) and an L1 dry (closed loop). I've had zero problems with the M1, but the L1 started to make noise a few months ago like sand or something was in the impeller. When I took the pump apart it was completely clean so I called EcoTech Support and they replaced the pump immediately even without doing any troubleshooting. At that time, I recall reading some posts that speculated the pump housing might be swelling and bind the impeller... I don't know if this is/was true, but they dealt with the issue very quickly for me and at no charge. It's been running flawlessly since then.

While I know I can purchase other 'good' pumps for a lower cost, I've found EcoTech's support to be great and that's why I stay with them. I have several MP40 and a reeflink I've had to call support for at different times and they've always provided excellent support. OK - It's embarrassing to admit this, but a couple of months ago while cleaning my M1 the housing slipped out of my hand, dropped about four feet to my concrete garage floor. At first, I thought it survived, but after closer inspection, I discover the housing was cracked. I called EcoTech and they shipped me a new pump for $100. I'm not sure how other companies would have handled this, but I felt that was a fair deal due to my stupidity.

I'm sorry to hear you haven't had the same experience.

 

[Redsoxclover]

If your pump was only replaced with a new one in April 2017 we'll then it's technically still within a 1 years warrantyso they should pay the postage for the return not you. I've heard of more complaints about ecotech pumps than any other and I certainly wouldn't buy a one, I don't even like the way they do replacement parts one of my snails decided it wanted to venture into my MP10 w anyway the impeller broke so I went to my lfs for a replacement to be told Ecotech only sell a replacement wetside at nearly £50 and don't do an impeller what a ripoff.

The original pump was purchased in April 2017. I’ve had two replacements since then. Now my third pump is currently at ecotech . I had to pay $20 to ship it to them. Previously they sent the replacement before I disconnected the broken pump and a label to ship it back. I’ve always had great customer service with them until now. I don’t trust these pumps at all , but I’d take radions and mp pumps over most others. The Nyos skimmer , even though I don’t think they manufacture it is also one of the best I’ve ever used. My only complaint is the Vectra pumps and my most recent customer service issues. A company can do it right 1000 times , but one bad time and everyone deserves to hear the negatives so they can decide for themselves. Personally I’d recommend ecotech for most things . Just never the Vectra pumps .

 

[tigé21v]

I couldn't agree with this post more. Production issues aside, DC pumps run much tighter impeller clearances than AC pumps, so even in the best cases, they require more frequent cleaning and are more prone to blockage.

I never heard of this. Thanks for sharing.