Reef Octopus VarioS-6 Controllable DC Pump (1720 GPH)

OP
OP
pelphrey

pelphrey

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
4,109
Reaction score
6,100
Location
Kentucky
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I think you made a good decision, I think it really competes with the competitors.
 
OP
OP
pelphrey

pelphrey

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
4,109
Reaction score
6,100
Location
Kentucky
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I was as well, the Vario is cheaper which is a plus! Plus it is apex ready and comes with the the correct fittings to either soft tube it or hard plumb it. I didn't want to spend another $10 for the fitting to plumb the vectra.

The float switch is a nice additional bonus!
 

Highgrade

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Messages
2,884
Reaction score
2,449
Location
Arizona
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I was as well, the Vario is cheaper which is a plus! Plus it is apex ready and comes with the the correct fittings to either soft tube it or hard plumb it. I didn't want to spend another $10 for the fitting to plumb the vectra.

The float switch is a nice additional bonus!
Those are some of the exact reasons I went with the Vario.
 
OP
OP
pelphrey

pelphrey

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
4,109
Reaction score
6,100
Location
Kentucky
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I failed to mention this, but the controller is actually pretty slim. I mounted it on the top of my mounting board and it comes with the mount. So on top of having to purchase the fittings for the M1 you either have to use velcro or buy the controller mount so there is another $12. It all adds up fast!

723B4DA2-7EF2-463D-8311-EFAF541EF6C1_zpsni1zzdq5.jpg
 

Highgrade

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Messages
2,884
Reaction score
2,449
Location
Arizona
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I failed to mention this, but the controller is actually pretty slim. I mounted it on the top of my mounting board and it comes with the mount. So on top of having to purchase the fittings for the M1 you either have to use velcro or buy the controller mount so there is another $12. It all adds up fast!

723B4DA2-7EF2-463D-8311-EFAF541EF6C1_zpsni1zzdq5.jpg
Thanks for the heads up. Can't wait to get mine and test it out.
 
OP
OP
pelphrey

pelphrey

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
4,109
Reaction score
6,100
Location
Kentucky
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I've got pictures on page 4 of my build thread in my signature. I did reduce the 1 1/4" to 1" - then the 1" is reduced to 1/2" for the reefer return so I know I am killing the pressure on this thing. I'm currently running it on 3 out of 5 and could probably crank it up, for the sake of cycling I'm leaving it alone. I reduced it to 1" primarily because I wanted to set myself up to add gate valves down the road if needed. 1" gate valves are cheaper than 1 1/4" gate valves. $49.99 VS $35.99
 

Highgrade

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Messages
2,884
Reaction score
2,449
Location
Arizona
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I've got pictures on page 4 of my build thread in my signature. I did reduce the 1 1/4" to 1" - then the 1" is reduced to 1/2" for the reefer return so I know I am killing the pressure on this thing. I'm currently running it on 3 out of 5 and could probably crank it up, for the sake of cycling I'm leaving it alone. I reduced it to 1" primarily because I wanted to set myself up to add gate valves down the road if needed. 1" gate valves are cheaper than 1 1/4" gate valves. $49.99 VS $35.99
As for the Hose barb fitting I take it is 1 1/4 but do you know if would fit a 1 in hose? I was thinking it may be a tight fit if so. I picked up the VarioS6 to replace my stock pump on my SCA-120. The stock pump is only 1000-1200GPH so the VarioS6 should work out. I currently have the stock pump with 1in hose to another hose barb on the other end which is hard plumbed to a check valve to a ball valve. To control flow and any stop any back siphon . Its a bit over kill but didn't want my sump overflowing since I adjust my locline return outlets from time to time and generally point them straight down since my tank is BB. I do this to keep from having any detritus build up at the back of the tank. Hopefully I wont need to replumb anything,

Thanks for the assistance.
 
OP
OP
pelphrey

pelphrey

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
4,109
Reaction score
6,100
Location
Kentucky
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
@Highgrade If my mind serves me correctly the hose barb is more like a 3/4" output I can check this weekend for sure. This is just my opinion, but I would probably reduce the 1 1/4" out of the pump to 1" and raise the hose barb out of the water. I strongly dislike the plastic hose clamps because they are such a pain to release once snapped, unless there is a trick I haven't figured out! I know the metal clamps aren't as "pretty" but they sure are a lot easier to release when it comes time to pull the pump to clean it.

SCH 80 1 1/4" to 1" $2.99 - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sched...hread-1-a318166b8539611449bf21ddc297a783.html
SCH 80 1" Barb $5.99 - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/gray-male-pipe-adapter-spigot-x-barb.html

You can for sure source those fittings from a local hardware store for probably less then 4$ in SCH 40

I have 1" red pvc that I cut up already, I originally made my manifold out of red pvc but changed it to blue before I glued it. I would be more than happy to send you a section of red 1" pvc. I also have black 1" pvc from a project I worked on a year ago I could cut a section off of if you needed/wanted it.

Great choice on a tank, I nearly went with the SCA 120. I decided against it when my wife said her only requirement was that the stand had to be white. I don't have the time to paint a stand at the moment.
 

Highgrade

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Messages
2,884
Reaction score
2,449
Location
Arizona
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
@Highgrade If my mind serves me correctly the hose barb is more like a 3/4" output I can check this weekend for sure. This is just my opinion, but I would probably reduce the 1 1/4" out of the pump to 1" and raise the hose barb out of the water. I strongly dislike the plastic hose clamps because they are such a pain to release once snapped, unless there is a trick I haven't figured out! I know the metal clamps aren't as "pretty" but they sure are a lot easier to release when it comes time to pull the pump to clean it.

SCH 80 1 1/4" to 1" $2.99 - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sched...hread-1-a318166b8539611449bf21ddc297a783.html
SCH 80 1" Barb $5.99 - http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/gray-male-pipe-adapter-spigot-x-barb.html

You can for sure source those fittings from a local hardware store for probably less then 4$ in SCH 40

I have 1" red pvc that I cut up already, I originally made my manifold out of red pvc but changed it to blue before I glued it. I would be more than happy to send you a section of red 1" pvc. I also have black 1" pvc from a project I worked on a year ago I could cut a section off of if you needed/wanted it.

Great choice on a tank, I nearly went with the SCA 120. I decided against it when my wife said her only requirement was that the stand had to be white. I don't have the time to paint a stand at the moment.
Thanks. I like the SCA120 for the price point and quality. I've had it up and running for about 6 months. The stock pump crapped out on me once and they gladly overnighted another. The replacement has worked fine but when I shut it down with my Apex for Feeding and maintenance the impeller gets stuck and has a loud click to it. I have to cycle it on and off to correct it. Figured I would swap it out for the Varios6 for more controllability and other bells and whistles. My old stock pump will be used to mix SW.
 

SaltMan

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 22, 2015
Messages
147
Reaction score
52
Location
California
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I also have the VarioS-6 for my return pump and are pretty nice with the features it comes with. I am controlling mine using the Apex 0-10V option as both my skimmer with VarioS-4 and return pump VarioS-6 have the same controller. It's good to see others using it :)
 
OP
OP
pelphrey

pelphrey

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
4,109
Reaction score
6,100
Location
Kentucky
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
1" ID hose -

EE4D64A9-BEBC-4684-99CD-A7438D41D44B_zpshwixocua.jpg


1" hose fits just fine, it isn't a snug fit by any means but some clamps can fix that!
13B1AB42-50AB-4ACF-89E9-E64BDB98A71B_zpsjihvpyyv.jpg
 

Highgrade

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Messages
2,884
Reaction score
2,449
Location
Arizona
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
1" ID hose -
Thanks. My pump should arrive tomorrow. I'm not a fan of most hose clamps, never had much luck with them. I'll most likely throw on a zip tie or two.
EE4D64A9-BEBC-4684-99CD-A7438D41D44B_zpshwixocua.jpg


1" hose fits just fine, it isn't a snug fit by any means but some clamps can fix that!
13B1AB42-50AB-4ACF-89E9-E64BDB98A71B_zpsjihvpyyv.jpg
 
OP
OP
pelphrey

pelphrey

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
4,109
Reaction score
6,100
Location
Kentucky
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I agree with you, the plastic hose clamps have always been a pain for me to release! Looking forward to hearing your input on this pump!
 

Highgrade

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 19, 2014
Messages
2,884
Reaction score
2,449
Location
Arizona
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
VarioS6 Pump is installed. Overall I'm very impressed with the flow and controllability of the pump. There's a noticeable difference from the old stock pump on my SCA 120. The VarioS6 is super quiet. Also I'm seeing about 2 Amps less on the Apex and my average temp has dropped a degree and a half. I highly recommend this pump for anyone possibly considering the Ecotech Vectra.
 

helldiver

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 22, 2013
Messages
785
Reaction score
160
Location
Slidell,LA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
@SaltMan i have both too but unsure how to put them on my apex where do u connect and what kind of cable did u uses and where to buy
 
OP
OP
pelphrey

pelphrey

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
4,109
Reaction score
6,100
Location
Kentucky
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
VarioS6 Pump is installed. Overall I'm very impressed with the flow and controllability of the pump. There's a noticeable difference from the old stock pump on my SCA 120. The VarioS6 is super quiet. Also I'm seeing about 2 Amps less on the Apex and my average temp has dropped a degree and a half. I highly recommend this pump for anyone possibly considering the Ecotech Vectra.

That is awesome to know about the power saving, even if it is small it adds up fast! I agree that the pump is dead silent, mine has been running for about a month now, I open my cabinet daily to look at it because I can't hear it.
 
Back
Top