New gyre or same old wave pump

reefteaser · 11/01/2016, 03:56 PM

Been using an Aquamedic Ecodrift 8.0 on my 115 gal 5 foot mixed reef for a year now. I'm thinking of changing to a gyre, possibly 2, because, hey--what's money?
No problems with my current set up, anyone care to chime in?

mcgyvr · 11/01/2016, 04:01 PM

Well.. If you want to just spend money.. Then thats a good way to do it..
IMO... not worth the money at all...

FirstContact · 11/01/2016, 07:18 PM

I'm using two RW15s on my 120g and they are great, but I have seen the Gyres working at the LFS on their frag tanks and was really impressed. With the new release of the XF250 and improvements to the rotors and bearings I was thinking Black Friday or next year after tax returns might be a good time to purchase a couple. I might put it off longer. But I definitely view it as an upgrade and am really excited about the new Gyres and controller.

I say go for it during Black Friday if you have the disposable income. I just can't imagine Maxspect and BRS not having some kind of discount on them.

Ron Reefman · 11/02/2016, 08:24 AM

As the owner of both Maxspect and Jebao (Gyre and Crossflow) pumps... I'd wait before you spend your money. Both have had a host of issues discussed here on RC and I have had issues with both as well. Maybe in another year or 18 months. Maybe.

Then one of mine dies (again) I'll replace it with a basic wavemaker powerhead!

jason2459 · 11/02/2016, 09:16 AM

The maxspect xf200 series is all the improvement on the xf100 series put together like its supposed to be.

Mishri · 11/02/2016, 09:33 AM

I'm planning on getting 2 xf250s for my 300 gallon.

problems I have with my current gyres.. I don't like the 1 gyre for the whole tank setup.. it works okay on my 40B, not great.. but I don't like cranking it to full speed and getting so much water movement on one side on my 75 gallon... I also don't like how loud it is at full speed.

I bought them when they first came out.. Ive never had anything happen to the one on my 40B, it's been rock solid. on my 75 I had it on alternating gyre mode and after a few months it started stopping for no particular reason about once a week. I'd unplug it and plug it in and it started right up.. moved it to just normal one direction constant mode and no problems... so left it there... there really isn't anything wrong with having it on that mode.

I also had a problem once after cleaning it.. it wouldn't start up.. turned out you really need to follow the proper order of installing the bushings or apparently they don't spin properly. because I followed the instructions they came with for the order and suddenly it worked (either that or I finally got it centered on there correctly while taking my time and making sure everything was perfect).. but I don't need to clean it very often anyway. every 6 months it seems.

-That said, if I had pumps I liked and are working well I wouldn't change to anything else... but, if you want to throw some money away and play with a new toy its a good one imo. and it sounds like the new ones will be much better...but i'd definitely say get 2 for either end of the tank, otherwise one side will have a lot more water movement than the other, which I don't care for.

major stare · 11/02/2016, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Well.. If you want to just spend money.. Then thats a good way to do it..
IMO... not worth the money at all...

^^^ this.

Had one for 18 months and now collecting dust in the parts bin.
In 18 months I replaced 6x blades and both end covers.
The main shaft bearings have also failed and the section that cups over the end of the end covers have bowed out meaning they don't seat correctly.
The controller falls off its bracket.

Over priced (comes in a nice tin) but poorly executed.

Ron Reefman · 11/03/2016, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

The maxspect xf200 series is all the improvement on the xf100 series put together like its supposed to be.

Only time will tell. IMHO these have some further development to do.

jason2459 · 11/03/2016, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Reefman

Only time will tell. IMHO these have some further development to do.

Everything can use further development or they get left behind unfortunately in this day and age.

I haven't had the issues many have had with these luckily. I did have a bad cord motor with the original very first gyre that came out. Coralvue replaced it quickly.

Mishri · 11/03/2016, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by major stare

^^^ this.

Had one for 18 months and now collecting dust in the parts bin.
In 18 months I replaced 6x blades and both end covers.
The main shaft bearings have also failed and the section that cups over the end of the end covers have bowed out meaning they don't seat correctly.
The controller falls off its bracket.

Over priced (comes in a nice tin) but poorly executed.

These new ones have a totally different controller, or you can use an apex and I believe some other controllers are compatible? (not sure on others) But sounds like you were taking it a part a lot for cleaning.. my 40B i've never taken it apart to clean and it's been rock solid.. the one on the 75 I took apart about 4 times.. got it in April or May of 2015 I believe. I noticed the end covers bowing out and realized it was from the way I was taking it apart, the best way to take it apart is don't pull on the end cap, pull on the shaft where it connects to the motor.

I think these things aren't highly durable when it comes to disassembling/reassembling (or at least the 100 series) so care is needed.. I'm gentle with things so I probably have had better luck than others.

fatboyracing · 11/03/2016, 09:53 AM

You can do so much with the gyre as well as the fact that it is a dc pump

FirstContact · 11/03/2016, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

Everything can use further development or they get left behind unfortunately in this day and age

So true...

major stare · 11/03/2016, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mishri

These new ones have a totally different controller, or you can use an apex and I believe some other controllers are compatible? (not sure on others) But sounds like you were taking it a part a lot for cleaning.. my 40B i've never taken it apart to clean and it's been rock solid.. the one on the 75 I took apart about 4 times.. got it in April or May of 2015 I believe. I noticed the end covers bowing out and realized it was from the way I was taking it apart, the best way to take it apart is don't pull on the end cap, pull on the shaft where it connects to the motor.

I think these things aren't highly durable when it comes to disassembling/reassembling (or at least the 100 series) so care is needed.. I'm gentle with things so I probably have had better luck than others.

Only taken apart when the rubber ends on the rotors failed..... not caused by snails, algae or over handling. The new design rotor was just too noisy.

saf1 · 11/04/2016, 06:58 PM

Oddly enough I'm considering the XF250 for my new tank which is about 240 gallons. To be perfectly honest it may come down to a little bit of trust, luck, and faith the way I see it. About 330 for the XF250. Say I look at the tried and true MP40wQD. That fella is running about 350. Then factor in how many you might need or if it can be controlled by a controller. Do I go larger than that and shoot for the MP60? Well now we are talking North of 600. How many of those should I get...it just starts adding up

Or...just go with Hydor Koralia 3G Third Generation which are under 100 bucks and have a couple spares. I've had great success with the RW8's outside the need to clean once a month.

Main reason why I was looking to give the maxspect a try was due to aesthetics in the end. If I went the route of Hydors I would need at least 4 in the tank and a couple spares. If I went with MP's I'd need at least two in the tank, no spares.

What a conundrum.

Drewl117 · 11/04/2016, 07:43 PM

I've had 2 of the 150's for almost 2 years and only had the cord problem on 1 which was warrantied very quickly. I recently purchased 2 MP40wes to switch out from the geyers and wasn't that impressed. The both had the qd wet sides and moved some water but man are those things noisy! I just put both gyres back in today and what a difference! Nothing can make the water flow like a gyre and so much quieter than the vortec.

11/01/2016, 03:56 PM	#1
reefteaser Convince'em or confuse'em Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: S FL Posts: 341	New gyre or same old wave pump Been using an Aquamedic Ecodrift 8.0 on my 115 gal 5 foot mixed reef for a year now. I'm thinking of changing to a gyre, possibly 2, because, hey--what's money? No problems with my current set up, anyone care to chime in?

11/01/2016, 04:01 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Well.. If you want to just spend money.. Then thats a good way to do it.. IMO... not worth the money at all... __________________ Who me?

11/01/2016, 07:18 PM	#3
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	I'm using two RW15s on my 120g and they are great, but I have seen the Gyres working at the LFS on their frag tanks and was really impressed. With the new release of the XF250 and improvements to the rotors and bearings I was thinking Black Friday or next year after tax returns might be a good time to purchase a couple. I might put it off longer. But I definitely view it as an upgrade and am really excited about the new Gyres and controller. I say go for it during Black Friday if you have the disposable income. I just can't imagine Maxspect and BRS not having some kind of discount on them. __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

11/02/2016, 08:24 AM	#4
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	As the owner of both Maxspect and Jebao (Gyre and Crossflow) pumps... I'd wait before you spend your money. Both have had a host of issues discussed here on RC and I have had issues with both as well. Maybe in another year or 18 months. Maybe. Then one of mine dies (again) I'll replace it with a basic wavemaker powerhead! __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

11/02/2016, 09:16 AM	#5
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	The maxspect xf200 series is all the improvement on the xf100 series put together like its supposed to be. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

11/02/2016, 09:33 AM	#6
Mishri Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Great Falls, MT Posts: 1,404	I'm planning on getting 2 xf250s for my 300 gallon. problems I have with my current gyres.. I don't like the 1 gyre for the whole tank setup.. it works okay on my 40B, not great.. but I don't like cranking it to full speed and getting so much water movement on one side on my 75 gallon... I also don't like how loud it is at full speed. I bought them when they first came out.. Ive never had anything happen to the one on my 40B, it's been rock solid. on my 75 I had it on alternating gyre mode and after a few months it started stopping for no particular reason about once a week. I'd unplug it and plug it in and it started right up.. moved it to just normal one direction constant mode and no problems... so left it there... there really isn't anything wrong with having it on that mode. I also had a problem once after cleaning it.. it wouldn't start up.. turned out you really need to follow the proper order of installing the bushings or apparently they don't spin properly. because I followed the instructions they came with for the order and suddenly it worked (either that or I finally got it centered on there correctly while taking my time and making sure everything was perfect).. but I don't need to clean it very often anyway. every 6 months it seems. -That said, if I had pumps I liked and are working well I wouldn't change to anything else... but, if you want to throw some money away and play with a new toy its a good one imo. and it sounds like the new ones will be much better...but i'd definitely say get 2 for either end of the tank, otherwise one side will have a lot more water movement than the other, which I don't care for. __________________ 300 gallon 8ft long, 2x xf250 gyre, reef octopus 250-int - work in progress Aquarist since 1986 Last edited by Mishri; 11/02/2016 at 09:38 AM.

11/03/2016, 09:53 AM	#11
fatboyracing Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: owensboro ky Posts: 57	You can do so much with the gyre as well as the fact that it is a dc pump

11/04/2016, 06:58 PM	#14
saf1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: California Posts: 2,259	Oddly enough I'm considering the XF250 for my new tank which is about 240 gallons. To be perfectly honest it may come down to a little bit of trust, luck, and faith the way I see it. About 330 for the XF250. Say I look at the tried and true MP40wQD. That fella is running about 350. Then factor in how many you might need or if it can be controlled by a controller. Do I go larger than that and shoot for the MP60? Well now we are talking North of 600. How many of those should I get...it just starts adding up Or...just go with Hydor Koralia 3G Third Generation which are under 100 bucks and have a couple spares. I've had great success with the RW8's outside the need to clean once a month. Main reason why I was looking to give the maxspect a try was due to aesthetics in the end. If I went the route of Hydors I would need at least 4 in the tank and a couple spares. If I went with MP's I'd need at least two in the tank, no spares. What a conundrum. __________________ -saf1 Current Tank Info: 210 gallon mixed reef

11/04/2016, 07:43 PM	#15
Drewl117 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: NH Posts: 507	I've had 2 of the 150's for almost 2 years and only had the cord problem on 1 which was warrantied very quickly. I recently purchased 2 MP40wes to switch out from the geyers and wasn't that impressed. The both had the qd wet sides and moved some water but man are those things noisy! I just put both gyres back in today and what a difference! Nothing can make the water flow like a gyre and so much quieter than the vortec.