Maxspect Gyre or icecap Gyre Power head?

Reiko · 03/07/2018, 08:41 AM

I'm thinking about using a 1 or 2 gyres on my new 120 build, and noticed that IceCap has a gyre. Does anyone have the IceCap brand or have an opinion on which one is better? The pricing is completely different, and I would like to save money if possible.

Bugnator · 03/07/2018, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reiko

I'm thinking about using a 1 or 2 gyres on my new 120 build, and noticed that IceCap has a gyre. Does anyone have the IceCap brand or have an opinion on which one is better? The pricing is completely different, and I would like to save money if possible.

FYI Jebao also has something similar

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Jonviviano · 03/07/2018, 11:00 AM

I do not own any, But was doing extensive research the past few weeks because i wanted to purchase one. My conclusion is that all of them are relatively noisy, and not the most dependable. I decided against it for now until newer, updated versions come out.

Vinny Kreyling · 03/07/2018, 11:58 AM

They claim cleaning is a pain & things break easily.

Pinkskunk · 03/07/2018, 12:30 PM

i own the Gyre. yes cleaning is a PAIN. if you are not carefull when removing the sharft, you will be looking for a replacement and its not cheap.

Trigger Tough · 03/07/2018, 01:09 PM

I’d get a couple of VorTechs and call it a day

https://ecotechmarine.com/vortech-flow-calculator

Reiko · 03/07/2018, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugnator

FYI Jebao also has something similar

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I had no idea jebao had something like this. If you have one how do you like it. I currently have RW-8 or the PP series now.

billdogg · 03/07/2018, 03:50 PM

I hav e 2 x Maxspect Gyre 250's. Yes, the first time I cleaned them it was, well, not as easy as the koralias they replaced. After that it was much easier. You just have to be able to take it apart and put it back together correctly. For the upgrade to the flow in my tank it was well worth the learning curve.

mako61 · 03/07/2018, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

I hav e 2 x Maxspect Gyre 250's. Yes, the first time I cleaned them it was, well, not as easy as the koralias they replaced. After that it was much easier. You just have to be able to take it apart and put it back together correctly. For the upgrade to the flow in my tank it was well worth the learning curve.

+1

They are hard to take apart until you know how. I just took my time watched the video and learned it. time well spent. i like the wide laminar flow compared to powerheads.

Superpuma · 03/07/2018, 04:56 PM

I have icecap 3k, gyre 130 and gyre 150. If l had to choose, it would be the icecap.

Bugnator · 03/07/2018, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reiko

I had no idea jebao had something like this. If you have one how do you like it. I currently have RW-8 or the PP series now.

No but I’m seriously considering them.

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ReefCowboy · 03/07/2018, 06:00 PM

I own the Gyre 250. Cleaned it many times, no issues at all. Am getting a second one to run it off the same controller.

Ive had other cheaper alternatives and never had luck, spending the money again with lots of regret. If Maxpect charges more for the gyre, im sure it is for a good reason. Icecaps came to fight off knockoff jebaos in my understanding

Reiko · 03/07/2018, 08:37 PM

Does anyone know if you can run 2 icecaps off the same controller.

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gargoylenest · 03/08/2018, 10:54 AM

I have 2 icecap, and no, you can not run them on the same controller. Though, coralvue said that they were working on making it (icecap gyre) compatible to Neptune apex. For the cleaning, first time it s a pain, now it takes me 5 min to clean both. You have to clean em more often then usual power heads though.

gargoylenest · 03/08/2018, 10:56 AM

and FYI, I certainly do not regret buying em over other powerhead, they move a lot of water. As for the noise, I realized that you just have to be careful to put everything into place correctly and they are not as noisy as equivalent power head.

mako61 · 03/08/2018, 06:27 PM

I have 2 250s maxspects on a 110g tank. I think they are great. Since I run them 50% max are assembled correctly, they are dead silent. The new controller is nice, would be better if you could configure it from a app.

Tripod1404 · 03/08/2018, 06:43 PM

My vote is on icecap. Sade design, it has lower failure rate and is cheaper. As of now they cannot be used in sync. But Coralvue said they are working on a controller to do this.

Keep in mind gyre pumps generate a lot more flow compared to a regular powerheads or wavemakers with equivalent GPH. This is due to the whole water column movement gyre pumps generate, as opposed to stream-like flow powerheads or wavemakers.

I have one Icecap 3k that faces two wavemakers each rated +1000 GPH (so 2000 GPH). But overall, the 3K at 40% a more dominant flow (most coral lean based on the 3Ks flow direction).

03/07/2018, 08:41 AM	#1
Reiko Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 19	Maxspect Gyre or icecap Gyre Power head? I'm thinking about using a 1 or 2 gyres on my new 120 build, and noticed that IceCap has a gyre. Does anyone have the IceCap brand or have an opinion on which one is better? The pricing is completely different, and I would like to save money if possible.

03/07/2018, 11:58 AM	#4
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	They claim cleaning is a pain & things break easily. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

03/07/2018, 03:50 PM	#8
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I hav e 2 x Maxspect Gyre 250's. Yes, the first time I cleaned them it was, well, not as easy as the koralias they replaced. After that it was much easier. You just have to be able to take it apart and put it back together correctly. For the upgrade to the flow in my tank it was well worth the learning curve. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

03/07/2018, 06:00 PM	#12
ReefCowboy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 1,742	I own the Gyre 250. Cleaned it many times, no issues at all. Am getting a second one to run it off the same controller. Ive had other cheaper alternatives and never had luck, spending the money again with lots of regret. If Maxpect charges more for the gyre, im sure it is for a good reason. Icecaps came to fight off knockoff jebaos in my understanding __________________ Rimless 150 Gal Sps System: Giesemann Spectra/New Apex/2x MP40qd's+ 2x Gyre XF250's/Cor20/Custom Stand, Sump and Algae Scrubber/2x DOS dosing/Skimz Octa 205i Skimmer

03/08/2018, 06:27 PM	#16
mako61 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Dallas Posts: 359	I have 2 250s maxspects on a 110g tank. I think they are great. Since I run them 50% max are assembled correctly, they are dead silent. The new controller is nice, would be better if you could configure it from a app. __________________ Thanks, Mako Current Tank Info: Returning Reefer - Red Sea 525XL, Mitras LX7s, Apex, check homepage for vids of tank

03/07/2018, 11:00 AM	#3
Jonviviano Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 417	I do not own any, But was doing extensive research the past few weeks because i wanted to purchase one. My conclusion is that all of them are relatively noisy, and not the most dependable. I decided against it for now until newer, updated versions come out.

03/07/2018, 12:30 PM	#5
Pinkskunk Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,773	i own the Gyre. yes cleaning is a PAIN. if you are not carefull when removing the sharft, you will be looking for a replacement and its not cheap.

03/07/2018, 01:09 PM	#6
Trigger Tough Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 85	I’d get a couple of VorTechs and call it a day https://ecotechmarine.com/vortech-flow-calculator

03/07/2018, 04:56 PM	#10
Superpuma Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 159	I have icecap 3k, gyre 130 and gyre 150. If l had to choose, it would be the icecap.

03/07/2018, 08:37 PM	#13
Reiko Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 19	Does anyone know if you can run 2 icecaps off the same controller. Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

03/08/2018, 10:54 AM	#14
gargoylenest Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: montreal,canada Posts: 135	I have 2 icecap, and no, you can not run them on the same controller. Though, coralvue said that they were working on making it (icecap gyre) compatible to Neptune apex. For the cleaning, first time it s a pain, now it takes me 5 min to clean both. You have to clean em more often then usual power heads though.

03/08/2018, 10:56 AM	#15
gargoylenest Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: montreal,canada Posts: 135	and FYI, I certainly do not regret buying em over other powerhead, they move a lot of water. As for the noise, I realized that you just have to be careful to put everything into place correctly and they are not as noisy as equivalent power head.

03/08/2018, 06:43 PM	#17
Tripod1404 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,821	My vote is on icecap. Sade design, it has lower failure rate and is cheaper. As of now they cannot be used in sync. But Coralvue said they are working on a controller to do this. Keep in mind gyre pumps generate a lot more flow compared to a regular powerheads or wavemakers with equivalent GPH. This is due to the whole water column movement gyre pumps generate, as opposed to stream-like flow powerheads or wavemakers. I have one Icecap 3k that faces two wavemakers each rated +1000 GPH (so 2000 GPH). But overall, the 3K at 40% a more dominant flow (most coral lean based on the 3Ks flow direction).