Quietest Return Pump Waveline DC6000 vs. Ecotech Vectra M1
 

My desk is a few feet from my tank. I have a Reefer 450 and the Rio+3100 was too loud, so I researched and switched to a Waveline DC6000. Much better! but still, the most audible sound was the low whine of the pump. I'd unplug it and hear the skimmer and water trickling through the system, that's what I wanted to hear.

So... more research and decided to try the Ecotech Vectra M1.

First, 75% quieter, I wish I had a dB meter to say 'how quiet' it is. But I can say that with the doors closed, I hear the water trickle first, the skimmer 2nd, and when I unplug the M1 I can barely hear a difference. My PC has a small fan that runs all the time, its very quiet, and I now hear that again....

Second, the M1 at 50% setting is equal to the Waveline DC6000 at the 3rd from highest setting (I'd guess about 90% power). So, M1 moves more water by a lot.

Both are controllable by the Apex, which I have, but I can't compare on this because I haven't connected the Apex to either pump. On a Reefer there isn't much need to alter water flow on the return pump, so not sure I'll add it in. I posted a video on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCC6V1GgrGY

Selling your DC6000?

Great reviews

Vectra is NOT controllable by the apex. WXM doesn't support it and word on the street is that it never will.

I love my M1

Probably has something to do with the return pump that Neptune is coming out with.

I would imagine so. I'm holding out for the apex return I guess, or a waveline. I need it to be controllable.

Yeah, I'm pretty happy with my M1 too.

Actually is more to do with Ecotech not releasing their wireless protocol on the Vectra pumps. N possibly releasing their own controller.

I bought a dc12000 for 150 gallon. I only have it on the 3rd light or so. It's dead silent. I think all the pumps make noise at 100% so just run them lower.

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I have an L1 and at half power it is as strong as my reeflo dart was (getting same water movement). It is extremely quiet, that is why I bought it, since the tank now lives in the middle of the living room.

I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

Another happy Vectra user here as well. Dead silent. I have to put my hand on it to tell that it's running.

Just put an L1 on line, very quite.

I have both the m1 and l1. Great pumps. Like said wish it worked with the apex

Heard many good things about the eco tech pumps. Main drawbacks I can see ate the cost and lack of Apex compatibility.

Waveline are good pumps too. I have a DC10000ii and it works well but definitely has a slight whine. It's quiet, but not dead silent. I've Seen many people say it's silent and many more say they hear the whine. Not sure if it's because of manufacturing differences making some more quiet than others, but I have a suspicion that they all make the whine; just not everyone hears it.

Have you done a comparison of power consumption between them?


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Is everyone still happy with their Vectra pumps? I'm looking at the M1 for my new setup.

I was very happy with the M1.

I've been using an M1 since they first came out and it's been quiet and reliable for me. There have been reports of reliability problems, though those seem to be mostly the L1.

I'm happy with mine. It has a small hum to it at full throttle but it seems to be performing well. If you are looking for dead silent, then I would go with a Tunze. I had a Tunze on my other tank and you could never hear it running.

Do these M1 pumps run hot? My system isn't good at dispersing heat. My old GRi is 15 years old and I would like to have a backup at the ready.

I run mine external and it’s cool

I haven't found mine to run hot. My heaters come on a couple of times during the night but not during the day once the lights come on, so I would say in my case the pump does not produce excessive heat.

My L1 is awesome! Great pumps!