EcoSmart Driver for Vortech pumps from Ecotech Marine
17 Comments
Ecotech Marine released the EcoSmart Driver today. This is an upgrade for the existing Wireless Wave Driver or WWD and will be included on all new EcoTech vortech pumps. The new driver has improved wirless range new “EcoSmart” wave modes, Auto Tune mode, and additional features. “The wireless range of the EcoSmart wirelessly enabled drivers has been significantly increased. This allows for the controllers of slave pumps to be located further from sight or even in separate locations.”
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
- Dark 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
Hit the read more link to read the full scoop off what this driver has to offer.
So, what IS the EcoSmart Driver?
The EcoSmart driver is an upgrade for our existing Wireless Wave Driver (WWD) and will be included on all new EcoTech pumps. This driver has a new and improved wireless range, new “EcoSmart” wave modes, Auto Tune mode, and much much more.
With the introduction of the new EcoSmart driver to the market, we will be offering a wireless version of the MP10 which gives the discerning aquarist much more control over their small or medium size reef aquarium.
In addition to exciting new modes such as Wave Auto Tune and the EcoSmart multi pump modes, the wireless range of the EcoSmart wirelessly enabled drivers has been significantly increased. This allows for the controllers of slave pumps to be located further from sight or even in separate locations.
EcoSmart Product Features and Sales Information
- 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.
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
- Dark 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
- A description of the modes can be found here
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
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
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.
New EcoSmart Models
All new MP10 pumps purchased from EcoTech Marine will be available for purchase in both wireless and non wireless models:
- MP10 ES
- MP10w ES
- Non-wireless MP10 ES drivers can purchase the RF Module to upgrade to the wireless version
All new MP40w pumps purchased from EcoTech Marine will only be available in the wireless version:
- MP40w ES
All Wireless EcoSmart drivers will be backwards compatible with the MP40w wireless pumps.
[...] EcoSmart Driver for Vortechs from Ecotech Marine [...]
March 12th, 2010 at 8:36 am
Interesting that current MP20 owners are forced to upgrade to the MP40 driver to utilize this advancement. Pretty disappointing to be wedged in the middle and have to pony up another $150+.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Adam- Actually it’s $125 to upgrade an MP20 to an MP40w ES if you do so before the MP40w ES upgrade kit price goes up to $100 on April 30th. This is cheaper than the cost to upgrade an MP20 to a WWD equipped MP40w.
March 12th, 2010 at 8:58 am
When will they be available?
March 12th, 2010 at 9:05 am
Sorry, I meant to ask when will they be available in Canada ? Or will these be for sale with the discount on online retailers?
March 12th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Canadian distribution will be covered by our Canadian retail and distributor network. Upgrades will be available from them as well. These have already shipped internationally, so I’d get in touch with your local retailer for more info.
March 12th, 2010 at 9:44 am
Hmmm backward compatible sounds nice… so I could just buy one of these and any of my older MP40Ws will work with it if they’re slaves to it? Because if I ‘have” (ok maybe want) to upgrade 5 Vortechs I think I’m going to pop a brain vessel. I already went through the upgrade of MP40s to MP40Ws (granted only 2 at the time)
March 12th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Yes, the older WWD’s will work with the ES drivers in all of the classic modes available on the WWD. However, you will not get the benefit of the EcoSmart modes or programmable settings. Therefore, you can upgrade at your own pace.
March 12th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Ok so I talked to Jeff at Ecotech Marine. Fear not the MP20 owners are not totally screwed. MP20 owners need to purchase only a new power supply and then the new driver unit.
MP40 Power Supply #10136 $50
MP40w Gen2 to MP40w ES Upgrade Kit #MP169 $75
March 12th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Tim: So even in slave mode older wireless drivers won’t follow what the master says? If so, do they simply not work in that mode?
Also does that mean zero further development on upgrades/support of the older wireless driver.
March 12th, 2010 at 11:56 am
I don’t see any major retailers in the US displaying these on their web sites. Just the old units. What’s the domestic release date?
March 12th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
I just purchased a used MP40 (non-wireless). Can I go straight to the ecosmart driver or do I have to upgrade to the old wireless first and then the ecosmart one? (be patient with me, I’m new to this ecotech stuff
).
March 12th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Sucks cause I just bought 4 MP40′s a month or so ago. Rebate program or not, after shelling out that munch dough it kinda sucks.
March 12th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
[...] Drivers for Vortech pumps EcoSmart Driver for Vortech pumps from Ecotech Marine Looks like a nice upgrade. I wonder if this will allow the mp10w to syn with mp40w? [...]
March 15th, 2010 at 6:00 am
[...] EcoSmart Driver for Vortech pumps from Ecotech Marine [...]
March 23rd, 2010 at 11:47 am
Thanks RB!!!
March 23rd, 2010 at 7:00 pm
For those that do not know. The original ES driver upgrades for the MP40w pumps have been known to be lacking the autotune feature and the night time mode is poorly timed. My night time mode has gradually shifted to the daytime midday. Still awaiting a replacement for upgrading to anew driver which doesn’t work as advertised.
I have never used the feed mode yet but heard this cancels out any night time mode setting too.
My original MP40 driver failed and was never replaced under warranty despite Ecotech contacted due to the upgrade to the ES driver. This doesnt work as advertised and still not replaced as previously stated. I would have expected Ecotech to bend over backwards to sort this out for me under the circumstances but NO. So just prewarning people here.
I may well take up my case now to the small claims court over Ecotech. Two MP40w pumps followed by a further two ES upgrade driver are not cheap!
September 3rd, 2010 at 3:40 pm