Ecotech Marine Vortech propeller pump

[Len]

Beta testers are now allowed to talk about the products. If anyone has questions about the Vortechs, ask away The pump is very nice and works as advertised. It does everything the Stream does, but better. 8)

 

[Anonymous]

Can you give us a review as a place to start.

 

[jetaero]

A review.

I am another beta tester.

The pump provides excellent flow, wide spread, good looks, easy addition, and simple use. All together, I love this pump.

-Josh-

 

[Anonymous]

Did you get to use them on a controler?

How do they compare to a stream 6100?

Do you know the MSRP?

How long did you run them for?

Do you know the release date?

 

[leftovers]

This is a review thread. Beta testers wil most likely post their reviews here. I posted my mini review on another thread here in RDO.

In a nutshell... it works as designed. Quiet, controllable, high output, low power consumption pump.

No wires in tank. No one notices the tanks ear muffs as I call them all they see is the nice surge as they cycle on and off.

Gorgonian i have is in heaven.

They are as you can see from the ETM page very well designed and really are unobtrusive.

No they won't eat fish or snails... fish wont go near them even rock sitters like flame hawks and gobies.. the natural soft start also gives them AMPLE time to bugger off to a new rock in the tank.

So high output, non directional flow (ie no shear force here folks), silent, low power, built in speed control, works on existing wave makers., no power cord in tank, elegant design.

What more could you want? No I wont comment on price ( I don't nor do any other beta testers know the final price so please dont ask)... as with anything you get what you pay for.

 

[Anonymous]

Reason I ask about the price is I am setting up a new tank and was planning on getting 2 stream 6200 with controller. If I could get 4 of these for around the same price I would.

 

[leftovers]

Reason I ask about the price is I am setting up a new tank and was planning on getting 2 stream 6200 with controller. If I could get 4 of these for around the same price I would.

I would go 4 of these but these move ALOT of water, they havent released volumes yet but compared to seios - well there is none, they are closer to the 6100's but with out the velocity and a much wider spread of flow - not as fast aka the velocity isnt there but you dont really want that you want lots of nice slow non directional flow and you will get that with these.

I have 2 on a 155 bow front which has its own challenges and they are more than enough coupled with the returns to create wild and full tank water movements

 

[Len]

I have no idea what the price will be, but it's my conjecture it will be around the same price as the Streams. The difference is the Ecotechs are much smaller, more controllable, and more adjustable. There's a manual dial on the driver unit that allows easy speed adjustments without any tools. Flow, I believe, can range down to 30% of full output, which is an incredible range. The controller isn't out yet, but I'm told it's being designed. It will be wireless (no need for more wires between the controller and the driver/pumps). There is also a battery backup that will run ~24 hours if your power goes out. This will be a huge life-saver for me when rolling blackouts hit SoCal in the summer

I've had my Vortechs for a little over a month. Not sure about release (I'll try to get Tim to chime in) but first half of this year I believe. I've used my Vortech on my AC3 for simple on/off operation and it works fine.

 

[Len]

I have one on my new 52x28x28 176g and it's actually enough flow IMO, but two will allow more even distribution and better flow patterns. I'd imagine four for a 120 gallon will be overkill. Just having one in my 176 gallon moves the entire water column the whole length of the tank (slow, full water movement .... very neat to watch).

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. For the reviews. I see one place is taking pre orders for $50, but I hate to put money down with out knowing the full price.

 

[leftovers]

these were when they were first installed...i have since hidden the cables and you dont even notice them....

notice the anemones.....they could care less about it....

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Cool. How much of a limitation is it that the flow has to be perpendicular to the glass? Is there a way around that?

 

[Len]

They *may* be offering a nozzle, but it's really quite pointless with this pump. After a few inches, the flow is simply too wide for vectoring to even matter Most beta testers I know have it attached to the side glass, but you can just as easily attach it to the rear glass if you have a few inches behind your tank.

 

[Anonymous]

I want one. I want one now.

Powerbuy?

 

[Entacmaea]

Len, would this be too powerful for a 3' tank, running lengthwise? I'm setting up a 70 gallon in the next two months- 36x18x24...

 

[Len]

No, it will work fine for a 3'. Jetaero had his on a 40 gallon 8O FYI: unlike the Tunze, this thing can be dialed WAY down to about 30% max flow.

 

[ChrisRD]

Do these things speed-up/slow-down like the Tunzes or do they actually turn on/off?

 

[Len]

The Tunze can speed up/slow down with their controllers. So will the Ecotech, except with a wider range and a remote controller. Is that what you meant?

 

[ChrisRD]

Yep - thanks Len.

In the meanwhile, before the controller is available, can these things be used on a regular timer/wavemaker? If so, what is the recommended safe on/off interval?