Ecotech Vectra L1

[DN328]

super quiet pump and easy to control the flow. love mine!

Are using as return pump? Although I'm using as cls, it's running as return pump mode. I just calibrated from low trickle to highest flow possible.

It's not a reef so not into all the pulsing variations.

 

[gtw7983]

Are using as return pump? Although I'm using as cls, it's running as return pump mode. I just calibrated from low trickle to highest flow possible.

It's not a reef so not into all the pulsing variations.

I use it as a return pump. Haven't got a chance to calibrate it though. I just plumbed it and plug it in lol. It is been working great since I started with it a month ago. What is the real benefit to calibrate?

 

[DN328]

What is the real benefit to calibrate?

If using as return pump, I think the idea is that you can set the min and max for feeding and highest flow your filtration can handle, respectively, as an example. So even at.a max that IS set, your drains can keep up.

For me, even though I used return pump mode for a closed loop (as I just want constant flow), I just wanted to make sure that I could max out the highest setting. I dont have it on max, but in case i wanted to. I also didnt know if max was truly max out of the box, so calibrated to max.

I hope this makes sense. I noticed that after calibration, the annoying "w" stops blinking too.

 

[Woefulrelic]

Any reason you use DC pump on a closed loop?

 

[DN328]

Any reason you use DC pump on a closed loop?

Mainly for why I (others?) use DC pumps for return pumps - more control of flow without valves. Although I like circulation, I don't necessarily want to blow the fish around.

Side note: The Vectra was intended for reef/coral tanks. It's actually intended to be used not only as return, but marketed as closed loop (non-submersed) as well. In closed loop modes, you can configure various water flow patterns and how the pump pulsates to mimic different bodies of water. Being DC, you can also control how much flow occurs. I chose for a steady flow, so use in "return pump mode".

I will admit, that the features beneficial for reefers are not needed for freshwater. But I wanted to continue using my cls system with a DC pump. Hopefully, I made the right decision for the long term ;-)

 

[Randys]

I see it's been over two years.
How's this Vectra holding out for you bud? Still happy with it?

 

[DN328]

Six months ago the pump stopped running. We concluded it was the pump itself. I just missed my warranty window and Echtech sent me to what seemed to he a refurnished pump.

I used it until I recently tore down my tank.

 

[Randys]

Oh man, that's a bummer.

I see yours was a L1 and now they're selling the L2. I wonder if they've figured out the issues..........

Are you still keeping fish?

 

[DN328]

Not at the moment. Im thinking about another though.

Yes, sounds like they have a new version. They're a bit pricey but I would consider an L2 if I needed another. There seems to be other DC pump options these days.