Why is Ecotech equipment so unreliable?

[Shane1975]

So I now have two mp40’s and a Gen 4 xr30w that do not work. I will be sending them in to be checked out but in the meantime I still need lights and flow for my aquarium.

I really wish I would have never invested in Ecotech. End of rant.

 

[Jay Z]

Im usually first to get vocal about company products not being what they say they are. I have 3 mp10's and 2 L2's. I've actually had zero issues with any of them. Mine are just going on a year old. Hopefully was just a fluke?

 

[lapin]

I wonder if anyone has tried to compile aquarium equipment failure rates / sales. As with most products the only time you hear about them is when they are first introduced and are all new to the industry. If they have a high initial failure rate that will get around. If not then people will post very little about them after the first intro period. Most later posts will be negative as they are bound to wear out. Sometimes a change in manufacturing (different parts supplier ect...) can cause issues. I dont think it gets a recall in our hobby but some manufactures will fix things for free under warranty and out of warranty.

 

[Jay Z]

Lapins 100% right on that.

I've had heads fall off my glass, but I have black Hawaiin sand, and some small snails I added that got through my nem guard. Self inflicted issues, not eco's.

 

[Shane1975]

Well out of 3 brand new Gen 4 xr30w’s only one went out. These are all Jan 2018. So I guess the positive is that they will at least be reliable for a year. Both mp40’s stopped working and they get cleaned regularly. My Ecotech return pump still works though I’m hesitant to rely on it now.

I have changed my lights over to Kessils this week so I will see how reliable they are. I’m not brand loyal and honestly I could care less who makes it as long as it does what it’s suppose to. I have live animals that rely on this stuff to work.



Anyway I’m sending everything in to Ecotech this week to have them troubleshoot and I will report back on their customer service as soon as that happens because to me when you spend your hard earned money to buy the best then you should expect some type of customer support.

 

[Nperry86]

Well out of 3 brand new Gen 4 xr30w’s only one went out. These are all Jan 2018. So I guess the positive is that they will at least be reliable for a year. Both mp40’s stopped working and they get cleaned regularly. My Ecotech return pump still works though I’m hesitant to rely on it now.

I have changed my lights over to Kessils this week so I will see how reliable they are. I’m not brand loyal and honestly I could care less who makes it as long as it does what it’s suppose to. I have live animals that rely on this stuff to work.



Anyway I’m sending everything in to Ecotech this week to have them troubleshoot and I will report back on their customer service as soon as that happens because to me when you spend your hard earned money to buy the best then you should expect some type of customer support.

There is a thread in here regarding using vinegar to clean pumps and wave makers, I think they were especially harmful to eco tech. It had to do with vinegar being able to penetrate the plastic and and get into the magnets and cause things to swell. Muriatic acid was suggested

 

[sromero287]

Sorry to hear about your feelings against Ecotech products reliability’s, pretty sure once you get in contact with them the situation will be solved. In my experience I only buy Ecotech products, it’s been 20+ years in saltwater reef tanks and until today never founded a better warranty with a positive response company like Ecotech. Multiple MP40QD’s, MP10QD’s, Vectras, Radion’s all generations, NYOS 120,160 and 220, every single time I had an issue even after the warranty expired always I had a positive answer either they replaced it or they fixed the equipment, and I think that’s the big difference when you buy something expensive just for the name or when you buy something that is worth 100% the price because they are behind the quality of their product, hope they fix your situation in a positive way and try to talk to them and explain the situation and I’m pretty sure they’ll find a solution for your situation. Happy reefing and all the best,

 

[Shane1975]

Yes, vinegar will destroy the magnets in them. Mine have only ever seen water and a toothbrush once or twice a month. Both still look new unfortunately neither work.

I will definitely post how their customer service treats this. Thanks

 

[Shane1975]

Here is a pic of my tank after having to replace everything that has failed from ecotech.

 

[Shane1975]

And before. I have ocd and keep everything up on maintenance.

 

[Bob Weigant]

I’m using all Ecotech on my reef. MP40’s , return pumps ( on 2 tanks ) Gen 4 Pros and Gen 2’s. The Gen 2’s are on my FO and have been running for years with only the fans having to be replaced. So far for me once I got passed not be able to connect to Ecotech live it’s been good

 

[AZMSGT]

I hope you get your items fixed to your satisfaction. So far my Ecotech items are working well.

4 MP40s
3 Radion 30 pro gen4
2 Vectra M2s

What’s the whole story on your “failed” equipment?

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I now have two mp40’s and a Gen 4 xr30w that do not work. I will be sending them in to be checked out but in the meantime I still need lights and flow for my aquarium.

I really wish I would have never invested in Ecotech. End of rant.

Hang on. They will blame you for negligence and try to sell you something rather than assume responsibility and retain a customer.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Happy to see many Ecotech Happy users.3
I was 0-3 in getting any resolvement (MP40Qd @ 9 months old, Radion gen 2 and Power adapter at 151 degrees that failed...….. they each time had a solution which was something to purchase. trued to sell me a replacement power adapter at $75. Found OEM unit at $34 shipped. been two years and still working. Radion- gave away as parts unit and MP40- claimed it got wet although it is mounted outside of tank that has glass covers and returned to me with NO signs of moisture)

 

[Shane1975]

One of the mp40’s stopped working. I swapped power supplies and nothing. I swapped the boards inside them and nothing so I can only assume it’s in the motor housing. Then the other stopped working so I changed out the boards and it worked for a little while then nothing.

I needed flow so added a maxspect gyre 350 with the good mp40. Since the other mp40 went out I’m left with the one maxspect gyre 350 which has worked out well so far.

The light only works on full blue spectrum. As soon as I add a color channel it turns off and the top buttons flash red. I have tried factory reset several times but still same thing. I tried the other power adapters and same thing.

It was going to cost as much to replace one of the xr30w’s as what three of the kessils cost so I just sold the other two and bought kessils.

 

[StephenGlidden]

I love my 3 kessil ap700s I had over my 425 gallon tank, I broke the tank down and I am looking to sell the lights if you decide you like the kessils

 

[Shane1975]

I love my 3 kessil ap700s I had over my 425 gallon tank, I broke the tank down and I am looking to sell the lights if you decide you like the kessils

Thanks, I bought 3 new kessil 360we and added to my 4 80 watt t5’s already. So far it has been plenty of par for my needs. I do really like the ap700’s though.

 

[Tamberav]

That is a bummer, I have three MP10's from 2012 that still work and are still in use but can't comment on the new QD ones.

I was not happy with my early gen gyre, it had a fair amount of problems. Hopefully the latest edition lasts for you.

My lights are nano-box, all the parts are easily replaceable if needed. $$$ for a big tank though but the hybrids are nice.

I saw a few posts about half the led's in kessils dying a few times. I do have one that came with a tank I bought that seems to be working okay.

 

[homer1475]

Luck of the draw I guess.

I have 2 mp10QD's that have been in continuous use for the last 6 years with 0 issue's. Well I did have an issue with a wet side not holding, called ecotech and had a new wet side within 2 days free of charge(still under warranty). HAd another issue with water getting into the mp10's controller, while they were not under warranty anymore, ecotech sold me a new MB for a very discounted price(pratically free + S&H), still a win for their CS in my eyes.

Also have an m1 for a backup, but have not used it yet so can't speak to that.

My experience with ecotech has been nothing but positive.

 

[RedReefer]

Mp 10’s, Mp 40’s, Vectra M2 no issues as far as manufacturer defects. I’ve definitely had some operator errors...