How many people use Night Mode

[pwoller]

How many people are actually using this feature? I used it for a while but didn't really see any benefit to it. Has anyone seen any benefits or have a theory on why it should be used?

[Shock130]

I use it. My clowns seem to like it. they sleep at the top corner of the tank at night, and without all the flow they can easily stay in one spot. Before they struggled to stay in one spot.

[mcrist]

I use it but I just like having reduced flow at night. No real benefit or negative just a personal choice. I wish I could drop it down to the minimum allowed by the pump but that’s just me.

[Mike31154]

I began using night mode once I added a second pump to my set up. I wasn't sure with a single pump that night mode would provide sufficient movement/oxygenation. With two of them, it works well in my system. Saves some power and runs more quietly. Other than that, I don't think the livestock really cares much.

[Musiker]

I tried, but dropped it again pretty quickly.. Mostly because I disconnect my pumps while servicing and I forgot to set it up again afterwards..
As mentioned a gazillion times on this forum.. I would love to have an external controller to handle speed settings, because I would love to be able to have my MP40w's run at different max speeds during different hours of the day.. Reefcrest with full power at the hours when I am not home in order to get the system flushed through and lower max speeds at times where I want my tank to be more quiet..


BR
Henrik

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15678244#post15678244 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Musiker
As mentioned a gazillion times on this forum.. I would love to have an external controller to handle speed settings, because I would love to be able to have my MP40w's run at different max speeds during different hours of the day.. Reefcrest with full power at the hours when I am not home in order to get the system flushed through and lower max speeds at times where I want my tank to be more quiet..


BR
Henrik
I originally didn't see a benefit to a seperate controller but I have changed my mind.

[trmiv]

I used to on my 40, but I got tired of having to reset it every time I turned the pump off for a water change, so I stopped. I got rid of my 40 though, but I've got some 10's on the way. I doubt I'll use it on those either.

[chrisfowler99]

I like it, but it doesn't remember the setting after being turned off by my ACIII for feeding, so it's become a useless feature to me. :(

[poidog81]

I only use it for my clowns to sleep easier. Otherwise, I wouldn't.

[kc350twin]

I use it but it's function seems a little unreliable. I find it changes on me sometimes. Anyone else have this?



Kc3

[lamarine23]

I use it and it works great.

[McSassy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15678836#post15678836 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by trmiv
I used to on my 40, but I got tired of having to reset it every time I turned the pump off for a water change, so I stopped. I got rid of my 40 though, but I've got some 10's on the way. I doubt I'll use it on those either.

I just put mine into "configuration mode" and it stops running, but stays on. When I'm done with the water change, I just bring it back to normal and it doesn't reset the system.

[cato]

I use it to give my fish a break at night.

[cardiffgiant]

Probably a dumb question, but can you set it to shift to night mode automatically?

[unbreakable]

card, it does it on its own. the first time you set it, and after that itll do it on its own. its like 14hrs of night mode and 10hrs of normal day mode

[scolley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15729704#post15729704 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by unbreakable
card, it does it on its own. the first time you set it, and after that itll do it on its own.
Incorrect. After that it does it on it's own UNTIL your controller loses power. If that happens - for whatever the reason - you have to go through the whole PITA of setting it up all over again.

This is the BIGGEST reason that I can see for buying one of the very expensive battery backups. To avoid that problem.

That said, the same thing goes with setting a "wave" mode. That too has to be completely reset if you lose power. Again, a reason to spend stupid money on the battery backup.

IMO Vortechs are great pumps. But their inability to recover their previously established settings after a power loss is a major product limitation. They REALLY need to fix this, without requiring us to pay for a battery backup.

To my point... NO other aquarium controller that I'm aware of forgets it's setting if it loses power. For all their strengths... Vortechs fall flat on their face in this ares.

[mcrist]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15730328#post15730328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scolley
Incorrect. After that it does it on it's own UNTIL your controller loses power. If that happens - for whatever the reason - you have to go through the whole PITA of setting it up all over again.

This is the BIGGEST reason that I can see for buying one of the very expensive battery backups. To avoid that problem.

That said, the same thing goes with setting a "wave" mode. That too has to be completely reset if you lose power. Again, a reason to spend stupid money on the battery backup.

IMO Vortechs are great pumps. But their inability to recover their previously established settings after a power loss is a major product limitation. They REALLY need to fix this, without requiring us to pay for a battery backup.

To my point... NO other aquarium controller that I'm aware of forgets it's setting if it loses power. For all their strengths... Vortechs fall flat on their face in this ares.
You must have power issues in your area because I never have a problem with my Vortechs losing power and forgetting its settings. The only programming a Vortech loses with a power loss is the night setting and then you just need to hold in two buttons for 2 seconds and release, then hold in the same two buttons and release. Not much of a PITA to me but everyone has a different a different gauge on what they consider a PITA.

[scolley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15731127#post15731127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcrist
You must have power issues in your area because I never have a problem with my Vortechs losing power and forgetting its settings. Actually not. But there are times that I would like to turn if off completely. Feedings for instance. Or tweaking the placement on the pump. And since I've been spending the last 3 months setting up my tank, there have been quite a number of times that I've had to turn off the power, even if momentarily. And every time, the Vortech forgets everything it knew except which mode it had been in.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15731127#post15731127 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcrist
The only programming a Vortech loses with a power loss is the night setting and then you just need to hold in two buttons for 2 seconds and release, then hold in the same two buttons and release. Not much of a PITA to me but everyone has a different a different gauge on what they consider a PITA. Point well made. But you are omitting a very important point. The simple task of holding those buttons MUST be done at the moment (as in time of day) that you want night mode to start everyday thereafter.

So pressing a couple of buttons: easy.
The Vortech being the only piece of my equiptment that will not recover perfectly from a power loss (no matter how short): Bummer
Having to put my life on hold to be standing by the tank to press the buttons at the time of day I want night-mode to turn on: Bummer

[unbreakable]

thats why i dont use night mode.... my fish dont care if i have night mode or not, im sure my SPS like having the same amount of flow all day.

i havent used short pulse or long pulse in a long time, but it does not lose the setting you save, only night mode is lost.

[EcoTech Marine]

That said, the same thing goes with setting a "wave" mode. That too has to be completely reset if you lose power. Again, a reason to spend stupid money on the battery backup.

Night mode is the only setting lost during a power outage. A saved wave will not be lost during a power outage, nor will master/slave configurations.

[McSassy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15735975#post15735975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EcoTech Marine
Night mode is the only setting lost during a power outage. A saved wave will not be lost during a power outage, nor will master/slave configurations.

Perhaps in the next firmware, this issue can be fixed? I sometimes have little cousins and flying around my house pushing buttons and yanking on everything. It's such a hassle to have to reset the night mode just because the power disconnects from it. Even a momentary power outage or surge as well will do it.

[scolley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15735975#post15735975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EcoTech Marine
Night mode is the only setting lost during a power outage. Unless I've missed something, the only things to be saved are Night Mode, Operational Mode, and the Short/Long Pulse frequency setting. And in my testing I would have sworn that they lost not only the Night mode, but the Short/Long Pulse frequency setting too.

Hopefully someone will clarify.

Because if that is not lost, that was user error of some form on my part, I'm very sorry for over stating the problem. Apologies if I spread incorrect information.

[Mike31154]

For both the short and long pulse mode there is a step required to save the setting... if you wish. I have used this step and the pumps remember the setting every time after I unplug them, no problem. As far as the Night mode, in the larger scheme of things, I hardly consider a couple of minutes of my time to set that up once a month or so 'putting my life on hold'. If this were the case, I don't think I'd be in this hobby.

[EcoTech Marine]

For both the short and long pulse mode there is a step required to save the setting... if you wish.

Correct. And once you save it, it will be stored even during a power outage with or without a battery.

The only reason why the night mode setting isn't saved is because the WWD was not designed with a battery and so there is no way for the clock to know how long the power was absent.

[pwoller]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15730328#post15730328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scolley
Incorrect. After that it does it on it's own UNTIL your controller loses power. If that happens - for whatever the reason - you have to go through the whole PITA of setting it up all over again.

This is the BIGGEST reason that I can see for buying one of the very expensive battery backups. To avoid that problem.

That said, the same thing goes with setting a "wave" mode. That too has to be completely reset if you lose power. Again, a reason to spend stupid money on the battery backup.

IMO Vortechs are great pumps. But their inability to recover their previously established settings after a power loss is a major product limitation. They REALLY need to fix this, without requiring us to pay for a battery backup.

To my point... NO other aquarium controller that I'm aware of forgets it's setting if it loses power. For all their strengths... Vortechs fall flat on their face in this ares.

PITA, Really? Press and hold 2 buttons twice. I can think of alot of things in this hobby that are a pain, but not this..

[kingsland]

Bummer
Having to put my life on hold to be standing by the tank to press the buttons at the time of day I want night-mode to turn on: Bummer

You must be very busy. It takes all of two to three seconds to push the buttons. I love these pumps (I have five) and the customer service is amoung the best I have ever experienced.

[MrSandman]

I just put mine into "configuration mode" and it stops running, but stays on. When I'm done with the water change, I just bring it back to normal and it doesn't reset the system.

That's what i do as well. Its a perfect way to shut off the pump without resetting your night mode. The sad part is that i don't do it often enough to remember how its done. I always refer back to the manual. How do you do it again?