FMM Fluid sensor doubts

[marinereef01]

So, I recently installed the FMM and 1" FMM sensor on my REEFER 450. The return pump is a Ecotech Vectra M1. When I have it maxed out at 100%, APEX is telling me the flow is only 487 GPH. Here's the plumbing setup (yes the flow arrow is going in the right direction).



Flow being displayed with the pump maxed at 100%



There's no other plumbing going from the pump to the return line. And, the settings in the APEX dashboard are correct (it's plugged into port 1)



So, going super conservative on my expectations of what the flow SHOULD be, at 100% (80 watts) the vectra should be pumping 1200+ GPH. This is a brand new pump, no flow restrictions.... so who's right? Or is something wrong with the flow sensor?

[vhuang168]

How much head pressure do you have?


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[marinereef01]

Roughly 7 feet.

[vhuang168]

Just in that picture alone I see 6 fittings.


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[marinereef01]

Originally Posted by vhuang168

Just in that picture alone I see 6 fittings.


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Okay, it'd still be 7 ft of head pressure

[marinereef01]

So, I used 2 different Ecotech Vectra M1's and 2 different 1" flow meters and the same exact results. So, I'm leaning towards the vectra M1 is extremely falsely advertised.

[FullBoreReefer]

How is it plumbed from there? Are you using loc line? If so, what type of nozzles?

[FullBoreReefer]

Not that it matter for flow, but are you using bushing/size adapters as couplers?

[Raul-7]

Originally Posted by marinereef01

So, I used 2 different Ecotech Vectra M1's and 2 different 1" flow meters and the same exact results. So, I'm leaning towards the vectra M1 is extremely falsely advertised.

Did you try measuring just the pump at 0' head with just the pump and flow sensor?

[marinereef01]

Yeah, it was about 795 on full speed.

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[laverda]

Like someone else mentioned I see a lot of fittings there. Each elbow is equal to 3 feet of tubing. I think.you have a lot more the 7 feet of head. I figure at least 16' of head preassure. What size tubing you using and how many other fittings you have is also a factor.

[Want2BS8ed]

I would suspect the Vectra long before Neptune's meter. The lack of head pressure is atrocious and the L1's are even worse than the M1's.

I have 2 L1's hard piped in a closed loop for 120 DT. 2" intakes, 1-1/2" returns split into 2 x 1" outlets each... the flow is pitiful. And they are both noisy. Sump is in the basement powered by an Abyzz A400. Solid, strong and much quieter.

23' of calculated head pressure and at 65% power, the A400 puts out a steady 1,400 GPH average.

Pricey upfront, but when you consider they come with a 10-year warranty and add in the energy savings over that time period when compared to a traditional AC pump, and they are down right inexpensive.

The L1's will be replaced with Abyzz pumps when they fail.

Love the fluid monitoring. Great information to have and be able to share.

M


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[CODE3EMT]

I thought Bulk Reef Supply debunked the whole loss of pressure in their 52 weeks of reefing video series. Also if my knowledge serves me correct Terrence at Neptune warned ALL of us to be prepared for readings that were wayyyyyy different than manufacture quotes.

[marinereef01]

Originally Posted by Want2BS8ed

I would suspect the Vectra long before Neptune's meter. The lack of head pressure is atrocious and the L1's are even worse than the M1's.

I have 2 L1's hard piped in a closed loop for 120 DT. 2" intakes, 1-1/2" returns split into 2 x 1" outlets each... the flow is pitiful. And they are both noisy. Sump is in the basement powered by an Abyzz A400. Solid, strong and much quieter.

23' of calculated head pressure and at 65% power, the A400 puts out a steady 1,400 GPH average.

Pricey upfront, but when you consider they come with a 10-year warranty and add in the energy savings over that time period when compared to a traditional AC pump, and they are down right inexpensive.

The L1's will be replaced with Abyzz pumps when they fail.

Love the fluid monitoring. Great information to have and be able to share.

M


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Glad I read this. Just got an L1 in today to make up for the crappy M1, but if they're both crappy, then off to UPS it goes hahaha

[TerenceF]

Originally Posted by CODE3EMT

I thought Bulk Reef Supply debunked the whole loss of pressure in their 52 weeks of reefing video series. Also if my knowledge serves me correct Terrence at Neptune warned ALL of us to be prepared for readings that were wayyyyyy different than manufacture quotes.

BRS proved that (in their test situation) there was no measurable (and probably insignificant even if there was) flow difference between using a 90 vs. two 45s

Every fitting has an associated straight and level pipe distance equivalent. Even straight and level pipe creates head pressure. Pipes have ratings per 100'. So, add all the fittings, and the horizontal runs, divide by 100 and then multiply times that per-100 factor. Add that to the vertical runs and you will have a good estimate of total vertical head pressure.

Find that number on the axis of the flow graph and then go across to intersect the curve, then go to the other axis. That is what your approximate flow rate will be.

[HowieUMD]

I switched from 1" PVC pipe and fittings to 2" PVC pipe and fittings across the board and my flow with an L1 nearly doubled when doing so, tried the 1" flow sensor then got a 2" when I switched it all over. I now use an Abyzz with all 2" and only run it at 45%. So much restriction with 1" pvc, it's not even possible to properly measure your head loss. You'd probably get the flow you're looking for by changing everything over to 1.5"...2" wasn't necessary but I planned for the Abyzz when I made the change.

[ca1ore]

Vectra isn't good against pressure. OP has it restricted own to 3/4" which is going to kill the flow (as he experienced).