EcoTech New Battery Backup

EcoTech Marine and IceCap, Inc. are voluntarily recalling the Battery Backup cables for the EcoTech Marine and IceCap Battery Backups, with each company handling recalls for their respective products. The issue arose only on the VorTech pumps operating with the Wireless Wave Driver. This includes all MP40w pumps equipped with the WWD and any MP40 or MP20 pumps that have been upgraded with the WWD. The Battery Backup could experience a condition in which it would supply more current to the pump than the cable can handle. The cable could then heat up to unsafe levels. To remedy the situation, EcoTech Marine and IceCap, Inc. are performing a recall on all of the cables, regardless of the model of VorTech pump used. So even if your pump isn’t one of the ones affected (for example the MP10, MP10 ES, MP10w ES, MP20, MP40w ES, or any model VorTech pump that does not use a WWD driver), you are still eligible for the recall. To participate in the recall, go to the EcoTech Marine Recall Page. There, you will find the contact information for both EcoTech Marine and IceCap, Inc.

See below for the press release from EcoTech Marine President, Tim Marks:

Important Notice:

EcoTech Marine has issued a voluntary recall of the Battery Backup cable used for the VorTech pump.

Dear Customers:

EcoTech Marine has issued a voluntary recall on the Battery Backup cable for the EcoTech Marine Battery Backup. This recall also affects the cables supplied with the IceCap Battery Backup for the VorTech propeller pump, however IceCap, Inc. will be handling the recall of the cables for their accessory independently of us and we recommend that you contact them directly regarding a recall of their cables. It is important to note that this issue only affects those Battery Backup cables that are used with VorTech propeller pumps powered by the Wireless Wave Driver (WWD) driver but this recall will cover all Battery Backup cables regardless of which driver is connected with the cable.

VorTech pumps operating with the WWD may experience an electrical fault condition. In these cases, a battery backup could supply more current than the connection cable can handle which could cause the cable to heat up to an unsafe level. Therefore, there is a voluntary recall on the connection cable for the EcoTech Marine Battery Backup (image 1.1 shown below) for the VorTech propeller pump.  Note the same issue will occur with the IceCap Battery Backup cable for the VorTech propeller pumps sold in United States and Canada. This will apply to Battery Backups used with all the following models of EcoTech Marine VorTech pumps:

-          All MP40w Pumps equipped with the WWD
-          Any MP40 and MP20 pumps that have been upgraded to the WWD

Note: this issue does not affect the use of the Battery Backup connection cable when used with MP10, MP10 ES, MP10w ES, MP20, MP40w ES, or any model VorTech pump that does not use a WWD driver. However, anyone that has purchased an EcoTech Marine Battery Backup will be eligible to participate in this recall regardless of what model VorTech propeller pump they are using.

To correct this problem swiftly and safely, we have revised the cables used with our Battery Backup accessory to include a cable that has an inline fuse built in. Any purchaser of an EcoTech Marine Battery Backup is eligible for this recall at no cost. Our revised cable will also solve this risk for use with IceCap batteries; however they will be handling the distribution of these components to their customers separately from us.

If you have purchased an IceCap Battery Backup (as indicated by the presence of their logo on the accessory, Image 1.3 shown below) or IceCap Battery Backup connection cable, please contact them directly for support at service@icecapinc.com or 1-800-7-ICECAP. If you have purchased an EcoTech Marine Battery Backup (as indicated by the lack of IceCap’s logo on the accessory, Image 1.4 shown below), please refer to below:

To receive replacement cables, please fill out our recall request form below. We will send you replacement cables free of charge upon submission of the form. Discontinue use of the previous connection cables. Note that we are not requesting that you return your non-fused cables to us. Please destroy the non-fused cables by cutting them in half and dispose of them so that they cannot be used. If you have any questions, please email us at service@ecotechmarine.com or call us at 1-888-785-0338.

If you are an international client, revised battery back cables will be supplied through your local distributor, a list of who are available on our website here: http://ecotechmarine.com/where-to-buy/international-distributors/

In order to improve the efficiency of this action, we will also be selling cables through our parts store below our cost to any customer that wishes to place an order immediately and forego the recall paper work. The revised cables will be available on our website for $1.50 each plus $3 shipping to US customers only for a period of approximately three months from the date of the recall.

From this date forward, all EcoTech Marine Battery Backups will contain the new fuse styled cables, which are distinguishable by the presence of a fuse holder built into the cable and a label showing part number 10427. However, there may still exist inventory that will contain the previous non-fused cable. If you purchase an EcoTech Marine Battery Backup from a vendor and it does not feature the new style cable with fuse, please contact us for your replacement cables.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Regards,

Tim Marks
President
EcoTech Marine, LLC

EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40wES

We were finally able to get our hands on the EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40w with the new EcoSmart controller, and we must say we are impressed. The propeller assembly (both wet and dry sides of the pump) seems to be unchanged, but the big change comes in the form of the pump controller. The new EcoSmart driver features improved wireless range, an on/off button, wave auto-tune mode, two new flow modes (Nutrient Transport Mode and Tidal Swell Mode), improved feed and night modes, a battery backup power meter, and an improved casing. See below for more pictures and pricing information.

EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40w with Ecosmart

Here’s a breakdown of the prices for the new VorTechs and the EcoSmart drivers:

• VorTech MP10 ES – $219.99
• VorTech MP10wES – $264.99
• VorTech MP40wES – $444.99

EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40w Ecosmart

VorTech MP40w Ecosmart Specifications

Oceanic Illuminata Rimless Reef Aquarium

Everyone preaches about how important water flow is in our aquariums. While I completely agree that water flow is extremely vital in a reef tank, there’s another type of flow that gets overlooked…and that is air flow. In this article, I will focus on two methods of air flow in order to promote higher pH. One form is agitating the water through a fan blowing across the surface or by injecting bubbles. The other focuses more on the room in which the aquarium is housed, and how closed doors and windows can have a similar effect as stagnant water.

Coralife CP750 Water Pump

Water has a thin, semi-permeable surface caused by surface tension. This area can prevent gas exchange in your aquarium, causing pH to drop off sharply. Most people break this tension by adding flow to their aquariums. Water flow causes ripples and other surface disturbance that allows oxygen to enter the water and other gases to escape. Sometimes though, an aquarium might have a constantly low pH, despite proper water flow and even the use of a protein skimmer, which physically injects air into the water.
Several years ago, people found out that directing fans over your aquarium can help keep it cool through evaporation. They didn’t immediately realize a secondary benefit of promoting gas exchange in their aquariums. The fans blow fresh air over the water’s surface, causing excess CO2 to leave the aquarium’s water and O2 to enter. This helps keeps pH elevated and the water oxygenated. But sometimes even this isn’t enough to fight off low pH.

Profilux Fan

When your aquarium is housed in a room with shut doors and windows, the air inside that room can become stale and stagnant like the aquarium’s water. The air conditioner in your home might not come on during the day when you’re at work, or your home is cool enough at night that you don’t need the A/C. So in effect, no new air is coming into the room. This could lead to low O2 concentrations in both the aquarium and room, pushing down the water’s pH. To help combat this, open up a window, turn on a ceiling fan or your A/C, keep the door to the room open, or house the aquarium in a larger room.

I and several other friends have experienced pH problems when housing aquariums in small, closed rooms. You may not have the same issues with your setup, but it’s definitely something to think about if all other options have been exhausted.

EcoSmart Rebate Offer

We recently introduced the new EcoSmart Driver, and now it appears that there’s a manufacturer rebate offer for MP40w Gen 2 owners who purchased their pump(s) in 2010 and want to upgrade to the new driver system. The rebate is for $25, reducing the total cost of the upgrade to just $50.

Here’s the offer from EcoTech Marine:

Manufacturer’s Rebate Program

At EcoTech, we are committed to our customers. As a result, EcoTech is offering a manufacturer’s rebate to our US customer base for all VorTech MP40w pumps purchased in 2010 if they upgrade to the new EcoSmart Driver.

All customers who qualify will receive a $25 mail in rebate on new EcoSmart Upgrade kits. To qualify, the following conditions need to be met.

Download the rebate form here –> EcoSmart Rebate

• You must have purchased the MP40w between 1/1/10 and 4/30/10
• You must provide a receipt from an authorized retailer and the UPC from the MP40w box
• You must have purchased the EcoSmart Upgrade kit from the EcoTech Marine Parts Store before 4/30/2010
• You must provide a receipt from the EcoTech Marine Parts Store
• You must postmark the rebate packet within 30 days of purchase of the EcoSmart Upgrade kit

EcoTech VorTech Ecosmart Driver

Continuing on with our update of the new EcoSmart drivers from EcoTech Marine, we focus now on the new flow modes. The new EcoSmart driver introduces us to two brand new modes, the EcoSmart Nutrient Transport Mode and the EcoSmart Tidal Swell Mode, each with very detail descriptions and visualizations below. In addition to the new modes, all of the older modes are retained. The older modes being Reef Crest, Lagoonal, Short Pulse and Long Pulse Modes.

EcoSmart Tidal Swell Mode

EcoSmart Tidal Swell Mode

In this EcoSmart mode water is circulated to create a harmonic balance in your aquarium reminiscent of the changing flow conditions that would be found in nature. Over the course of several hours, the flow pattern will go from very chaotic with an emphasis on left to right flow direction to an emphasis on right to left flow direction, all the while experiencing calm period in between and followed by a great surge of flow at the very end of the cycle. Adjusting the dial changes the maximum speed achieved at any time during this mode. Slave pumps should be positioned opposite the master and on the back of the tank to take full advantage of the EcoSmart modes.

EcoSmart Nutrient Transport Mode

EcoSmart Nutrient Transport Mode

In this EcoSmart mode, water is circulated in a two phase program consisting of wave motion to stir up detritus and surging motion to move the detritus into your overflow where it can be skimmed out. This effect promotes maximum health and nutrient export, as well as increased growth for sensitive corals such as SPS. Adjusting the dial changes the maximum speed achieved at any time during this mode. Slave pumps should be positioned opposite the master and on the back of the tank to take full advantage of the EcoSmart modes.

Classic Reef-Crest and Lagoonal Random Modes

VorTech Reef Crest and Lagoonal Modes

In random mode you can toggle between two different modes, Reef-Crest and Lagoonal. When a pump is in Lagoonal Random Mode, the dial is used to set the maximum operational speed, and the driver will automatically randomize the pumps output to simulate either a high (Reef-Crest) or low (Lagoonal) energy reef environment. If this pump is a master, the associated slave pumps will replicate the master in sync or anti-sync modes.

EcoSmart Operational Modes

EcoSmart Operational Modes

The EcoSmart Driver sports many new modes and features, including:

• Improved Wireless Range
• On/Off Button
• Wave Auto-Tune Mode
• EcoSmart Nutrient Transport Mode
• EcoSmart Tidal Swell Mode
• Auto-Dim Mode
• New and Improved Night Mode, Feed Mode, Battery Backup Power Meter
• The Classic Reef Crest, Lagoonal, Short Pulse and Long Pulse Modes are still included
• A new more water resistant driver case

EcoTech VorTech Ecosmart Driver

EcoTech Marine has informed us that they are releasing a new VorTech EcoSmart Driver. This new driver is an upgrade for existing Wireless Wave Drivers and will be included on all new VorTech pumps (starting this Spring). The wireless range will be increased, several new modes will be introduced, and the MP10 will now have wireless capabilities.

Please note:

• The new EcoSmart drivers are NOT a standalone product
• The EcoSmart driver is available as an upgrade for existing wireless and non-wireless pumps.
• The new EcoTech MP40w and MP10 lines will only be available with the new EcoSmart drivers.

Major features of the EcoSmart Controller include:

• Convert any MP10 and MP40 to an EcoSmart driver, and to wireless
• Increased master-slave pump relationship functionality
• Easily auto-tune and program customized waves
• New modes including tidal swell and nutrient transport for an even more realistic reef experience
• Time and speed adjustable for feed and night modes
• Sleek LED interface with on/off switch
• Auto-dim automatically turns the LED’s off after a user-set amount of time
• Adjustable battery backup speed and remaining power indicator

The EcoSmart Driver features many new modes including:

• Improved Wireless Range
• On/Off Button
• Wave Auto-Tune Mode
• EcoSmart Nutrient Transport Mode
• EcoSmart Tidal Swell Mode
• Auto-Dim Mode
• New and Improved Night Mode, Feed Mode, Battery Backup Power Meter
• The Classic Reef Crest, Lagoonal, Short Pulse and Long Pulse Modes are still included
• A new more water resistant driver case

Pricing and Availability

The EcoSmart driver will begin shipping with all new VorTech pumps this spring. Owners of existing VorTech MP10 and MP40s who wish to upgrade may purchase an upgrade kit.

Hydor Koralia Evolution Powerheads

The day has finally come. The new Koralia Evolution pumps and Nano pumps are now available from your favorite aquarium products reseller.

Below is a list of common prices by model:

• Koralia Nano (240 gph) – $30
• Koralia Nano (425 gph) – $33
• Koralia Evolution 750 – $40
• Koralia Evolution 1050 – $48
• Koralia Evolution 1400 – $60

AquaFX Octopus RODI

AquaFX, a very popular reverse osmosis company, has released another fancy RO/DI unit to their lineup. The AquaFX Octopus RO/DI unit is full of bells and whistles and is the most efficient unit AquaFX has to offer.

The Octopus will retail for 389.00 and will feature the following:

• Microprocessor Controlled 1:1 Waste water Ratio
• High Pressure Bracket Mounted Booster Pump (Located Post Pre-filtration for extended pump life)
• Extended DI life via automatic Membrane Flush upon Start-up (Greatly prolong DI life by flushing TDS Creep upon startup!)
• Cyclic Membrane Flush (Full Membrane Flush upon shutdown to help prevent membrane scaling)
• Built in TDS meter with full (0-99)ppm range
• High and Low Pressure Kill Switchs (For pump protection and full system automation)

Here’s a brief statement from AquaFX

AquaFX is proud to release the newest in a line of Green and Effcient units, the first of Which is the Octopus RO/DI unit.

At a glance, the Octopus seems friendly and undaunting, but if you take a closer look, you will see a true RO/DI marvel!

This RO/DI unit is setup for greatest filter life, with least ammount of waste!

All units are made, tested and supported in the USA.

The AquaFX water filtration units are very well built. I own the AquaFX Mako and it’s still producing water at 0ppm dissolved solids over a year since its purchase. I don’t run a whole lot of water through the system, but still, the unit definitely performs well.