ZOOT!! Ecotech Worth It?

[Ziggy17]

That is likely not an issue with the pump. That is more likely an issue with the surge protector or wall outlet!

Wasn’t my wall outlet. Those two lights were the only thing that did it, and they were plugged into the apex outlets.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Well worth the trade! Hence the popularity of Ecotech powerheads in the hobby.

Let me bring up an analogy here to express my feelings for Ecotech.

Looking at Consumer Reports I never understood how Jeep could be both the least reliable vehicle and at the same time rank in top consumer satisfaction. Yep, some things cannot be explained.

 

[MeatCake]

My AI hydras used to do that every single time. And those were $800 lights.

Doesn’t that make you a little nervous?! It seems like nothing should spark when part of it is going into saltwater!

 

[MeatCake]

Is Ecotech a private owned company?

 

[GSPClown94]

Is Ecotech a private owned company?

Yes but these people own them and all these other brands https://www.apetlife.com/brands

 

[Ziggy17]

My AI hydras used to do that every single time. And those were $800 lights.

Doesn’t that make you a little nervous?! It seems like nothing should spark when part of it is going into saltwater!

Hopefully your lights aren’t going into the water. :)

 

[MeatCake]

My AI hydras used to do that every single time. And those were $800 lights.

Doesn’t that make you a little nervous?! It seems like nothing should spark when part of it is going into saltwater!

Hopefully your lights aren’t going into the water. :)

Hahaha well played sir, well played!

 

[landlubber]

Let me bring up an analogy here to express my feelings for Ecotech.

Looking at Consumer Reports I never understood how Jeep could be both the least reliable vehicle and at the same time rank in top consumer satisfaction. Yep, some things cannot be explained.

its a pretty easy explanation if you really think about it... if the person that bought the item experiences no problems with reliability or connectivity they're likely to consider using it again... especially when functionally and aesthetically its among the best in the industry.
i'm 7 years deep on all my Ecotech gear and all of it has worked seamlessly so its easy to appreciate. It definitely becomes a lot more relevant if you, personally are having an issue but until it does i'm happy to continue on with it.

 

[mmorrison55]

Ive had nothing but great experiences when dealing with ecotech support. If it’s within warranty they would send a new replacment quickly and if it was outside of warranty, their cost to fix was very reasonable.

 

[cilyjr]

That is likely not an issue with the pump. That is more likely an issue with the surge protector or wall outlet!

This is likely not correct.
It is because there is a capacitor that is power hungry and a cheap barrel connector.

Known issue with jebao stuff.

If one unplugs it from the wall, you have less of a chance of a problem.

That said, it's 24 volt DC very unlikely to hurt you. It will wear out that barrel connector if you consistently plug it in and unplug it and get the spark, Still it might last longer than the pump.

 

[atoll]

Last night I received an electrical shock while cleaning my affordable powerheads that rhyme with Bambo.

I tossed both of them in the trash and the Mrs. has officially greenlighted purchasing a proper DC flow pump.

I like SICCE because of the warranty, but I REALLY like the idea of one less power cord in the water column. The one warranty issue I had with a SICCE pump they went above and beyond to make it right.

Tunze makes nice stuff also, but not sure about their warranty.

Thoughts, ideas, opinions?

5 year guarantee on Tunze stuff

 

[atoll]

Ecotech are so confident in their equipment they give it a whole year guarantee.
Tunze on the other hand are so confident in their equipment they give them 5 year guarantees.

 

[MeatCake]

Does Tunze work with Möbius?

 

[BZOFIQ]

Only EM, AI and NS products work with that; its a closed eco system I believe.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

It would be great to have a piece of equipment that would last a long time.

How slow can the MP pumps go? I only have a 40 Breeder right now. But someday I would like to upgrade to something 100+ gallons.

Can I buy a MP40 and just throttle it all the way down without blowing my fish out of the tank?

you can throttle them down plenty- i want to say 10%. If you want to go 100+ gallons one day, they will serve you well. I have 2 of them on my 100g. What I hate about these is that mobius, while using the app is just fine, does NOT have wifi access, only bluetooth, which is stupid. For the price of an MP40 or any other mobius using device, you should have 24/7 access through the app, anywhere in the world.

So, is it worth it for a 40g? Yes. Just dial it down unless you have all SPS.

 

[MeatCake]

It would be great to have a piece of equipment that would last a long time.

How slow can the MP pumps go? I only have a 40 Breeder right now. But someday I would like to upgrade to something 100+ gallons.

Can I buy a MP40 and just throttle it all the way down without blowing my fish out of the tank?

you can throttle them down plenty- i want to say 10%. If you want to go 100+ gallons one day, they will serve you well. I have 2 of them on my 100g. What I hate about these is that mobius, while using the app is just fine, does NOT have wifi access, only bluetooth, which is stupid. For the price of an MP40 or any other mobius using device, you should have 24/7 access through the app, anywhere in the world.

So, is it worth it for a 40g? Yes. Just dial it down unless you have all SPS.

I have myself talked into the Hydros Wave engine and a maxspect XF-330. Until I get in the car and change my mind another 4 times during the drive home.

 

[areefer01]

I like SICCE because of the warranty, but I REALLY like the idea of one less power cord in the water column. The one warranty issue I had with a SICCE pump they went above and beyond to make it right.

SICCE are nice pumps with a few extra perks if using the XStream SDC versions. Also can integrate with Neptune Apex if you are in that ecosystem with the IOTA layer. Nice quality of life improvement. Also SICCE has a 5 year warranty if that is something you desire.

Tunze makes nice stuff also, but not sure about their warranty.

The warranty is 1 year. Similar to many other products. You will find hobbyist who have both good and bad luck with them. Social media is just that. They have been around for a good long while and many hobbyist have great luck with them. If you go this route I would encourage you to buy a spare wet side for maintenance. Makes it super easy by just powering it off, swapping, then powering on.

Thoughts, ideas, opinions?

Social media has a lot of noise as you are finding out in this thread. You asked about A and B yet you get C, D, and Z. Go figure. We mean well I guess.

Here is the rub. Hobbyist have different experiences using the same piece of gear. Bob and Sally have great luck with knock offs and Scotty and Biff have bad luck. What I like to remind fellow hobbyist is that who is more likely to post on social media? Those disgruntled or those who are happy? Something to consider.

As a fellow hobbyist who does not like spending others money I am focusing on what you asked:

SICCE 5 year warranty, great pumps Xstream SDC. I have used one. Out of water alert, temp alert, and cleaning/maintenance with their app. Also integrates with Neptune seamlessly.

Ecotech 1 year warranty, great pumps, no cords in the tank. Also can integrate with Neptune Apex using the MXM module. Been on the market for a while. You will find both good and bad posts. Will need to make a judgement call. Buy a spare wet side though for maintenance.

Tunze 5 year warranty. Lots of options to choose from. Energy efficient. Also later this year or early next they will have the ORCA which will do some oscillation control. This will be a nice feature. Can do this today with Sea Swirl / Sweeps but a bit more expensive.

You did not mention it but Gyres are an option. Maxspect, in my opinion, is probably the better of the choices out there due to the overall kit inclusion and flow directors. Also has the faster motor block (.5 seconds). There is also AI Orbit and Icecaps and even Red Sea.

I am obviously not listing them all but another consideration I guess is the Octo Pulse pumps. I know a fellow hobbyist who swears by these although I've not used them.

TL; DR: Cords, name brand, SICCE, Tunze, Octo pulse, Gyres (maxspect, redsea, AI, IceCap). Cordless Ecotech.

Hope your day is well.

 

[tREEFarm]

I have 14 Tunze powerheads in use across my 700g system. All newer models that replaced the older Tunze versions. I also have used MP10s for over a decade and still use them in the same system.

Tunze is the better choice in my opinion.

 

[mfinn]

When people bring up ETM, there are alot of unhappy people.
I'm in the other camp. I'm very happy with mine. I have about 8 years on mine. I have replaced each wetside once.
Tunze is as solid as you can get.
I traded away my 6105's and the separate controller for my first set of MP40's. I was happy and unhappy at the same time. Figure that one out.

 

[backbayreef]

With almost everything in life, you’ll take care of them and they will care of you. I’m biased since I have:5 MP40s, 4 MP60s, and 10 Radion G6s across 4 tanks. Some of my MP40s are 6yrs old with no issues! Same goes true for lights - my XR30 G4 Pros ran flawlessly for 5 years before upgrading to the G6 Blues.

For wavemakers, I love having no wires inside the tank for both safety and aesthetic.