Vectra l1 pump performance and test

[Monkeynaut]

This is correct I made a mistake.... water flow does not change in a pipe; it is the same throughout. I stand corrected.

Regardless, pushing 550 GPH after 5 feet is nowhere close to what the pump should be pushing at 100% power. The pump isn't working right or those flow numbers from Vortech are largely inflated.

I had 2 - 1/2 loc line returns when I set my system up initially. This obviously caused massive flow restriction and low flow. For some pumps that wouldn't have been a problem. But the DC pump I was using had really poor performance. I was hoping to help the OP if he had a restriction in this way.

If he is using 2 - 3/4 inch loc lines at the return to the tank he is fine. If he doesn't have that setup, then I am saying he can improve the situation.

 

[road_runner]

Just noticed that BRS removed the vectra L1 and its reviews from their website and replaced it with vectra L2. Basically erasing history:))....

 

[Dragon52]

I have a ecotech L1 in each of my tanks, I have to turn them down or I get two much flow, have you calibrated yours correctly ? as demonstrated in their support video,

+1 Calibration is crucial

 

[road_runner]

+1 Calibration is crucial

Oh yeh I did.
Still head pressure killed the pump. I think the most I got out of the pump was ~600gph or so if I remember..my plumbing was all 1" straight from pump to bulkhead no joints.
So a drop from 3100gph to 700gph.
Red dragon which is rated 2100gph gave me 1350gph on the same plumbing...... quality matter.

 

[Dragon52]

Oh yeh I did.
Still head pressure killed the pump. I think the most I got out of the pump was ~600gph or so if I remember..my plumbing was all 1" straight from pump to bulkhead no joints.
So a drop from 3100gph to 700gph.
Red dragon which is rated 2100gph gave me 1350gph on the same plumbing...... quality matter.

That's interesting, I run my M1 at less then 50% because I would get to much flow with 1" return piping which is all PVC.

 

[road_runner]

That's interesting, I run my M1 at less then 50% because I would get to much flow with 1" return piping which is all PVC.

Again let's talk data. The thread I gave you show actual measurments I did on 3 pumps.
Flow rate cannot be decided by eye just like LEDs.
So saying you get too much flow without measuring the flow is bit missing substance...
Any flow can be considered too much if you restrict your drain enough...;)

 

[JoshH]

I am curious where you got your flow rate for a 1" Gravity fed line, anywhere I've ever seen has said he max flow rate of gravity fed 1" is 1500 GPH. 2500 GPH is A LOT of water...

BTW thank you for this review, I'm still on the hunt for a good closed loop pump. I had wanted to grab the Vectra for its pre-programmed flow patterns but this is giving me a little pause as I do need 1200+ GPH with a fair bit of head pressure.

 

[road_runner]

I am curious where you got your flow rate for a 1" Gravity fed line, anywhere I've ever seen has said he max flow rate of gravity fed 1" is 1500 GPH. 2500 GPH is A LOT of water...

BTW thank you for this review, I'm still on the hunt for a good closed loop pump. I had wanted to grab the Vectra for its pre-programmed flow patterns but this is giving me a little pause as I do need 1200+ GPH with a fair bit of head pressure.

But that's my point. My actual flow rate was not 1500.
I knew max I can get is 1500. So I wanted to come as close to 1600 ad I can.
Red dragon is giving me now 1350 1400gph which I am super happy with. Rememner RD isbrates 2100...not 3100 like vectra... I have more room in that pump if I want to...

 

[road_runner]

I am curious where you got your flow rate for a 1" Gravity fed line, anywhere I've ever seen has said he max flow rate of gravity fed 1" is 1500 GPH. 2500 GPH is A LOT of water...

BTW thank you for this review, I'm still on the hunt for a good closed loop pump. I had wanted to grab the Vectra for its pre-programmed flow patterns but this is giving me a little pause as I do need 1200+ GPH with a fair bit of head pressure.

From what I have seen so far, vectra is not the right path if you seeking above 1000gph with regular plumbing.
When I contacted eco tech they started asking me for some funcky plumbing requests which was unrealistic ha ha.

 

[JoshH]

But that's my point. My actual flow rate was not 1500.
I knew max I can get is 1500. So I wanted to come as close to 1600 ad I can.
Red dragon is giving me now 1350 1400gph which I am super happy with.

Oh in one of your posts you had said 1" PVC gravity fed should flow 2500 gph which I think is off a bit. That's why I was curious as to where you had gotten that info from that's all.

I'm glad the Red dragon is working for you, did you get the pressure rated RD?

 

[road_runner]

Oh in one of your posts you had said 1" PVC gravity fed should flow 2500 gph which I think is off a bit. That's why I was curious as to where you had gotten that info from that's all.

I'm glad the Red dragon is working for you, did you get the pressure rated RD?

I think I made a mistake. I think that was with pressure..I do not remember exactly this was a while back. But I think the right number is 1600 if my memory serve me well.

 

[Dragon52]

Again let's talk data. The thread I gave you show actual measurments I did on 3 pumps.
Flow rate cannot be decided by eye just like LEDs.
So saying you get too much flow without measuring the flow is bit missing substance...
Any flow can be considered too much if you restrict your drain enough...;)

Neither my Drain nor return have anything to restrict them other then pvc 90s on return line. My drain is a 3 4' straight shot flex tubes to the sump, return is less then 5' with 5 90s & 1 union pvc to the DT. It's possible you just got a bad pump.

 

[road_runner]

Neither my Drain nor return have anything to restrict them other then pvc 90s on return line. My drain is a 3 4' straight shot flex tubes to the sump, return is less then 5' with 5 90s & 1 union pvc to the DT. It's possible you just got a bad pump.

Yup again to me I do not know how to calculate head pressure especially with elbows. To me, only flow meter was the judge.
If you happy with yours am happy for you. We make due's based on our systems my friend

 

[JoshH]

I think I made a mistake. I think that was with pressure..I do not remember exactly this was a while back. But I think the right number is 1600 if my memory serve me well.

Thanks for clarifying :) I really didn't want to go the RD route. But we shall see...

Neither my Drain nor return have anything to restrict them other then pvc 90s on return line. My drain is a 3 4' straight shot flex tubes to the sump, return is less then 5' with 5 90s & 1 union pvc to the DT. It's possible you just got a bad pump.

I'm guessing the huge difference is yours isn't restricted and the OPs was. Even at the end the drop in pipe size can be brutal for flow.

 

[road_runner]

Thanks for clarifying :) I really didn't want to go the RD route. But we shall see...



I'm guessing the huge difference is yours isn't restricted and the OPs was. Even at the end the drop in pipe size can be brutal for flow.

As I said I did actual measurments. Used 3 diffrent pumps and compared.
The drain will not impact the actual flow of the pump ad you know. I measured at the output of the pump directly.
The nice thing about red dragon they publish their performance. They give you the chart of flow vs head preasure.
Not many do that..vectra and other will only qout you their zero head pressure flow which is useless if you think about it..you want to know the flow you are getting with your plumbing not with pump laying on the ground ha ha

 

[mtraylor]

I run one vectra L1 on my 255 gallon display with 100 gallon sump. Great pump so far! It runs my display and my manifold which runs my carbon reactor, gfo reator, calcium reactor, and uv sterilzer. Dead silent and im running it at 3/4 power.

I replaced my reeflo dart with this pump. So it has 2" inlet going to 1.5" outlet manifold. Its allot stronger than the dart. I have no idea what the actual flows are but scalled down it pushes more water than my dart did. Had to ope up the herbie to keep up.

Great pump for me so far. HopefullgHit holds up.