Ecotech Customer Service experience

melev — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 12:47:24 +0000

Ecotech Customer Service experience melev Fri, 08/11/2017 - 15:47

I contacted Ecotech today. I'm the type of hobbyist that likes to plug something in, it works correctly and I'm done. I don't tinker with it incessantly, I don't change settings all the time; I want it to be on when needed, and off when required.

I bought the Vectra M1 for the frag system, and the L1 for the 400g reef. The M1 has been running for nearly 18 months, and it connected with the Booster cable to a Battery Backup designed for Ecotech gear. It is supposed to keep the return pump running if the power goes out. But it didn't seem to be doing so, and it was one of those things I needed to sort out but knew it would take some time.

Talking to the support people today, after a couple of firmware updates and further testing, it turns out the Booster cable I had was faulty. That frag system is now set up correctly since I had an extra one in my store's inventory to use, and they are sending me a replacement for the one that failed.

Very important steps when hooking up the booster cable from the battery to the driver:

Install the "input" side of the booster cable into the battery backup
Install the "output" side of the booster cable into the Vectra driver
Plug the power cord into the battery backup
Wait a few seconds before testing to see if it works. Pull the power cord going into the Vectra driver, and see if the battery backup runs the pump. If it does, you did everything correctly. Re-plug the power back into the driver for normal operations.

While we were testing things, I wanted to make sure the L1 was going to run correctly with its own Battery Backup, which it does. Now if the power goes out, the Anemone Cube and the manifold continues to get flow at 25% of the normal setting. Two birds, one stone --- well, 2 phone calls, a few emails back and forth and a little bit of cardio walking back and forth between things, but all is well.

We read a lot of negative stuff when people are annoyed, but not enough positive reviews that are just as deserving. Thanks EcoTech Marine for the assistance, and making sure my gear runs right.

Reef Blog

Gluing PVC into a Vectra pump

melev — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 12:45:04 +0000

Gluing PVC into a Vectra pump melev Sun, 04/30/2017 - 15:45

People often ask how do you plumb the Vectra pump to your tank. While I know it is easier to use flexible tubing, that's never my preference. Plus, the Vectra doesn't come with a hose barb connection. Whether you use this pump internally or externally, it's still important to get the PVC glued into the blue part correctly.

The Vectra M1 uses 3/4" PVC pipe. That's what you see in the picture above, it's the return pump for the 60g frag system.

The blue fitting is very shallow (I still wish they'd double the height of this one part so it matches every other PVC fitting on the market). Cut the pvc pipe perfectly straight so every bit of surface in the connection will have pipe against it. Using ABS to PVC cement: Apply the cleaner primer first on the fitting and the PVC pipe, then the solvent on both as well. Place the blue fitting on the ground on a board or thick cardboard and press the PVC in firmly and hold for 20 seconds so it's completely seated.

I do flip it up quickly to verify it's completely seated, then press back down on the solid surface so it won't work its way out again. While holding it in place, I run my finger around the seam to clean away any excess and smooth that area. This connection isn't a big challenge, you just have to know what you're going to do as you have to work quickly. If you did a good job, the inside of the connection should be PVC flush with the base of the blue part.

Lastly, don't forget about placing the collar around this fitting before gluing the next connection ... just like you do with any union.

Reef Blog

vectra

Ecotech Customer Service experience

Gluing PVC into a Vectra pump