Ecotech MP40W Gen2

[ddaquaria]

Any recommendations where to purchase this online for a good price? I had a 10% off coupon via Aquacave but I didn't check the expiration date (should have bought it Sunday versus waiting till Monday) Ecotech is suppose to be at Aquatek this Saturday so I may wait, but I wanted to start on the buying research.

Why Ecotech? The battery backup

[myjohnson]

City Pets sells it for as low as 330-375.

Depends on how many they bring in at a time and the hook that you can get.

It's a LFS in Houston so I don't know how much that helps you.

I test ran one on my tank Saturday. I was impressed but not like....WOW!

[ddaquaria]

You test it on a 4' or 6' tank.

I agree with EK about running 2 on a 6', but I think you can get away with 1 on a 4' at 90%+

[myjohnson]

6 footer.

Don't get me wrong. It's a nice pump. I'm getting one. But you should really see one in action before putting out all that money.

There are also some repeating problems with them and they have to be serviced a lot. The wet side seems to get out of balance on them and some have reported the wet side separating from the dry side.

Warranty is for one year is you buy it brand new. I called Scott at ecotech and he told me that a new wet/side only cost 60 bucks if you don't have warranty.

Battery back-up all needs to be serviced once every two years, but I didn't ask Scott how much that cost. I also don't think it's a must to get it serviced that soon. It's like buying a BMW and they say you got to take it to their shop every 20k miles.....when you don't even need to.

[ddaquaria]

The plan was to check it out this Saturday morning at Aquatek (the rep is suppose to be there also). Do some more research them pick it up Sunday. But we will see...

[myjohnson]

You can find a lot of info by users on reef central. Most love it b/c it's the powerhead of all powerheads but it come with it's problems.

I do have to say their customer service department is good. If you got warranty on it they will fix it no questions ask.

When you get something upgraded after warranty is up, they will you a new 1 year warranty on the new parts.

[ddaquaria]

I've been reading RC, Marsh, DFW Marine, MAAST, Austin Reef, Ultimate Reef, and I'm pretty sure I left something out.

Most of the problems were in early release batches from what I have read.

I even found EKs post in RC.

D

[myjohnson]

lol, I knew you would have read all those before making a buy.

You and me got that in common.

By the time of the tour I will have my vortech and you can tinker with it all you want to make sure you really want to buy one.

Like I said, it's nice.....but not WOW.

Like you, the main selling point was the battery back up. But since I been reading up on this DIY one, the need for a vortech just went down a little.

[myjohnson]

I'm sure you have this information already but I wanted to post it on here so others that may be interest can read up on it.

Here is a links:

the manual that comes with the mp40w

http://ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/mp40w_manual_11.pdf

Data sheet

http://ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ecotech_brochure.pdf

Gen2 Firmware Upgrade Instructions

http://ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/flash_upgrade.pdf

Gen2 Magnet Upgrade Instructions

http://ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/...t_upgrade1.pdf

There are a few people selling gen 1 mp40 on marsh and you can grade.

[i_am_poor]

Wow.. pro

[myjohnson]

Wow.. pro

foo, don't make me rob your house.

Speak up Chanh. You the one with two of those things!

[peterp63]

how do they work???

[myjohnson]

lol, I bet you really don't know how it works too.

[peterp63]

I'm about to break out my instruction manuals foo...

[myjohnson]

hey, how are my three females going now?