AI Nero 5 and Wave puck pumps, difference?

[Graffiti Spot]

So I have been a huge fan of the wave puck pumps since they came out and was really sad to see the reef builders review about them be so wrong. Now I see AI has this new pump out that is EXACTLY like the wave puck? And its 300 bucks compared to 130 for the wave puck? What on earth could be so different about this pump they charge that much for it? Anyways the best thing about the wave puck was it was an affordable strong pump with wide flow pattern. The new AI pump doesn't really fit affordable.

 

[Sherman]

Is the spec the same?

 

[Graffiti Spot]

WOW, I just saw a review on the new AI pump! Guess from who? Reefbuilders! Check out the article reef builders wrote about the wave puck pump. Then read the article about the new AI pump... How can two different articles on basically the same pump be so different? The only difference is a controller that looks good, what use is that?
Let me just say, the wave puck is not loud, or huge, and it pushes great flow. Probably the same as this new AI pump. I am getting the feeling that reef builders must have other priorities behind all of its "reviews". I could sit here and dice apart their horrible review of the wavepuck but all I have to say is everything they said was so horrible is the same as this new pump they are pushing up as high as they can reach... I am done reading their articles and letting them influence any part of my thoughts.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Is the spec the same?

I can't find my measuring tape but the wave puck can't be anything but mm's different than the other pump, my wave pucks look to be . The wave puck will work on 1" thick glass and the AI pump only half inch. Reefbuilders talking about magnetic fields on the wave pump, well the same thing would take place with this AI pump, but I don't believe it makes a difference. The flow might feel "weak" but it pushes my hand backward and sends water across a long tank very well, it also disperses the water in a very even large wide flow pattern unique to any other pump. The wave puck is more quiet than any pump I have ever owned as well.
The AI pump has 15 degrees of movement and the wave puck has 25 degrees...
The AI pump is 2.8" wide and the wave puck can't be any larger than 3" but I will measure it when I find my tape.

 

[andrewkw]

Reefbuilders is sponsored by Ecotech Marine, I believe Jake mentions that in his review for the Nero 5. Anyway I just did my own review earlier today see :
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/nero-5-first-impressions.524100/#post-5468661

I can't seem to find a picture of the wavepuck impeller so I can't say it's exactly the same. I've never seen one in person but it does appear to be a little bit thicker. Flow wise they may be the same, they are the same as far as 3000 gph. What the Nero 5 certainly has it beat on is control. It connects nearly instantly to your phone via bluetooth and you can program the pump within minutes for an entire 24hr cycle. The physical controller just has one button it's sleek and the pump itself is also sleek and feels high end. While I have never used the wavepuck I have and do use coralbox, jebao ect they certainly don't feel high end. They do the job fine and 1 high end pump is not better then the 3 lower pumps it will buy but it is better built and has added features. Once I started playing with the pump I could certainly see why it costs what it does. Does that mean I'm throwing away all my lower end pumps? No, but for some people they will pay for these extra features.

Exactly alike is a bit of an exaggeration. They look very similar, but there are for sure a lot of differences. The Nero 5 looks better and has more features. If you think it's worth paying for those extra features well that's up to you. Also disclaimer I got my pump for free too.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Oh and the build quality of the wave puck is SOLID. It would be hard to break one. I have ran mine for a year straight since I bought them with minimal flow decrease, only a little from bacteria and such on the blades. Never had a single issue with them, reef builders must have been sent the only bad one because I haven't seen any bad reviews past theirs.

 

[Tureefik]

Never owned a wave puck but I have Nero 5 and I love it especially the controller it’s so easy to program 24hrs of flow just drag and drop and even the actual modes can be adjusted I also have 2 gyre 230 running

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Reefbuilders is sponsored by Ecotech Marine, I believe Jake mentions that in his review for the Nero 5. Anyway I just did my own review earlier today see :
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/nero-5-first-impressions.524100/#post-5468661

I can't seem to find a picture of the wavepuck impeller so I can't say it's exactly the same. I've never seen one in person but it does appear to be a little bit thicker. Flow wise they may be the same, they are the same as far as 3000 gph. What the Nero 5 certainly has it beat on is control. It connects nearly instantly to your phone via bluetooth and you can program the pump within minutes for an entire 24hr cycle. The physical controller just has one button it's sleek and the pump itself is also sleek and feels high end. While I have never used the wavepuck I have and do use coralbox, jebao ect they certainly don't feel high end. They do the job fine and 1 high end pump is not better then the 3 lower pumps it will buy but it is better built and has added features. Once I started playing with the pump I could certainly see why it costs what it does. Does that mean I'm throwing away all my lower end pumps? No, but for some people they will pay for these extra features.

Exactly alike is a bit of an exaggeration. They look very similar, but there are for sure a lot of differences. The Nero 5 looks better and has more features. If you think it's worth paying for those extra features well that's up to you. Also disclaimer I got my pump for free too.

You know what I mean when I say exactly alike, I would counter by saying your "for sure a lot of differences" is an exaggeration as well. The nero 5 controller looks better, I can't tell a difference in the pump except for the back grill which you don't really see. I like the wave pucks back better because it doesn't stand out with all the checkered patterns.
The wave puck can connect to an apex so the only real big difference is connecting to bluetooth. Personally I don't see the point. The wave puck is built 10 times better than a jeabo or any other cheap pump, its solid and feels heavy like any other quality pump. For 180 less, I will stick with wave puck being just a little bit thicker and not having bluetooth.
From the pictures I am seeing of the impeller of the nero 5, it looks just like wave puck. I don't see how it would be much different since its the same pump concept.
Wavepuck, 2.5" wide to the nero 5 2.1" and wavepuck 3" tall to the nero 5 2.8" tall.
Time will tell which pump is better when we find out if people have to send their nero 5's in to get fixed or not. Sometimes the extra tech can just cause more problems. I am not aware of the wave pucks having any big issues, but correct me if I am wrong, I tried to look.
Can you share how you got your pump for free?

 

[ca1ore]

There’s also the ReefBreeders RPM - a very similar design.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I will have to check that out but I just looked it up real quick and my favorite part of that style pump is different. I like how the other two pumps have a solid casing around the impeller, it keeps algae from growing inside the housing and reducing the pumps performance. I have never ran pumps more than a few months without having to clean them. The wave puck I ran for a whole year and could have kept going. I will have to read up on some reviews of the pump but I would still say the wave puck pump is probably built much better than the RB pump, just a guess though.

 

[Burrito]

Are your holding stock or something in the wavepuck, you seem really heated over something of little importance. Reviews are what they are, the consumer should do some research either way. A lot of “influencers” exists in any market. Fish tanks are no different

 

[rockskimmerflow]

So I have been a huge fan of the wave puck pumps since they came out and was really sad to see the reef builders review about them be so wrong. Now I see AI has this new pump out that is EXACTLY like the wave puck? And its 300 bucks compared to 130 for the wave puck? What on earth could be so different about this pump they charge that much for it? Anyways the best thing about the wave puck was it was an affordable strong pump with wide flow pattern. The new AI pump doesn't really fit affordable.

Well I guess all I can say is it's long been established that Reefbuilders is a business and marketing platform - not a place for unbiased reviews. Jake Adams is going to do or say whatever he thinks is going to make him the most money plain and simple, and I can't fault him for that. It's just business. I agree the Nero 5 and the Wavepuck are largely the same concept and I wouldn't put much stock in reviews from someone with a direct financial connection to one of the manufacturers of the pumps. If you like the Wavepuck roll with it! I've never had one but it sounds like a great piece of kit for those who like the idea of the Nero 5 and don't need the bluetooth functionality.

 

[gcarroll]

Personally, I think you guys are so wrong about the Wavepuck and Reef Builders criticism of it. If RB was out to bash the product why would he do 3 articles praising it's design prior to it's release? If he was influenced, why write 4 articles about the pump? Design wise the wave puck is the same design and technology in the motor design. Fit and finish is the difference. The Nero (like the original design of the wave puck which RB praised) rides significantly closer to the glass. The Reefbreeders pump is a completely different design. Also the controllability and user interface is a huge difference.

https://reefbuilders.com/2015/09/16/waveline-wavepuck-dramatically-kind-water-mover/

https://reefbuilders.com/2016/01/21/a-fresh-look-at-the-rlss-wavepuck-in-pre-production/

https://reefbuilders.com/2016/03/01/what-is-the-wavepuck-pump-doing-in-coralvues-reefstock-booth/

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Are your holding stock or something in the wavepuck, you seem really heated over something of little importance. Reviews are what they are, the consumer should do some research either way. A lot of “influencers” exists in any market. Fish tanks are no different

I am irritated, you can't argue that the two reviews completely contradict each other. I am just giving people the facts so they aren't influenced the wrong way, which a lot of people were, since why not many have a wave puck pump and many are hyped about the nero 5 and not just because of the bluetooth.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Personally, I think you guys are so wrong about the Wavepuck and Reef Builders criticism of it. If RB was out to bash the product why would he do 3 articles praising it's design prior to it's release? If he was influenced, why write 4 articles about the pump? Design wise the wave puck is the same design and technology in the motor design. Fit and finish is the difference. The Nero (like the original design of the wave puck which RB praised) rides significantly closer to the glass. The Reefbreeders pump is a completely different design. Also the controllability and user interface is a huge difference.

I am wrong about his criticism? What part exactly? He would praise it prior to its release because he had a chance to put his name out there. He wrote 4 articles because its a great concept for a pump, he expected too much and let it ruin the review that meant something to reefers and especially waveline. Fit and finish is the difference, yet he propped up one of two pumps for one thing and contradicted his reviews with the rest of the article. I would not call less than a half of an inch significantly closer to the glass, the nero 5 sacrificed the magnet strength and the angle of direction just for that space. In my opinion those are two of the best things about this style of pump, yet the nero is still held high and the wave puck is trash? Also the wave puck can plug into an apex and be programed for almost the same results as the nero 5, so its not like the control of the nero is that much better, unless your someone who has to have bluetooth to control your powerheads inside the tank.
If you haven't used a wave puck you wouldn't understand how wrong his review was. And the point is he did bash the product, and many of the same reasons he bashed it with, he went and used as praises for the nero 5... Thats what I am irritated with, the contradiction of it all.
I really would love to get a hold of one of the AI pumps to see if its built even better than the wave puck, but I think that a even better build would be pretty hard to do. I would guess that the nero sacrificed on build quality of the pump in order to have the controller look nice, but I am not going to shell out 300 bucks to find out.

 

[ca1ore]

I will have to read up on some reviews of the pump but I would still say the wave puck pump is probably built much better than the RB pump, just a guess though.

LOL I think it is entirely a guess. I did buy a couple of the ReefBreeders RPM units and so far have been happy with them. No clue as to longevity since I've had them less than 6 months. Build quality seems on par with other Chinese pumps.

 

[siggy]

I fell in love with the Wave Puck shortly after it was released. It is a great little Water mover and for the price cant be beat....IF you get a good one! ....I purchased one right after it was released and did a review, others posted problems or were more than happy with it. As for the new Nero? I want to try that one too. I am running a mp40 and a Octo pump (smaller 1) and I just purchased my 3rd wetside in two years for the Mp so thats $150 ontop of the original cost. So far Octo has my vote and will see in time if stays that way.....Oh...As with Everything you get what you pay for, and some things are over priced but never under priced
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/wave-line-puck-controller.340845/

 

[ca1ore]

The Reefbreeders pump is a completely different design.

Is it? Cosmetically perhaps, but it seems to me to be another example of the new trend of having propeller blades turning outside the stator. I would certainly hope the Nero interface would be better - ought to get something for the extra $170.

 

[gcarroll]

Is it? Cosmetically perhaps, but it seems to me to be another example of the new trend of having propeller blades turning outside the stator. I would certainly hope the Nero interface would be better - ought to get something for the extra $170.

Correct the blades are outside the stator in the RB which is different when compared to other pumps. But like other pumps the rotor rest inside the stater. On the Nero and wavepuck, The rotor is on the outside and the stater is in the middle.

 

[gcarroll]

I am wrong about his criticism? What part exactly? He would praise it prior to its release because he had a chance to put his name out there. He wrote 4 articles because its a great concept for a pump, he expected too much and let it ruin the review that meant something to reefers and especially waveline. Fit and finish is the difference, yet he propped up one of two pumps for one thing and contradicted his reviews with the rest of the article. I would not call less than a half of an inch significantly closer to the glass, the nero 5 sacrificed the magnet strength and the angle of direction just for that space. In my opinion those are two of the best things about this style of pump, yet the nero is still held high and the wave puck is trash? Also the wave puck can plug into an apex and be programed for almost the same results as the nero 5, so its not like the control of the nero is that much better, unless your someone who has to have bluetooth to control your powerheads inside the tank.
If you haven't used a wave puck you wouldn't understand how wrong his review was. And the point is he did bash the product, and many of the same reasons he bashed it with, he went and used as praises for the nero 5... Thats what I am irritated with, the contradiction of it all.
I really would love to get a hold of one of the AI pumps to see if its built even better than the wave puck, but I think that a even better build would be pretty hard to do. I would guess that the nero sacrificed on build quality of the pump in order to have the controller look nice, but I am not going to shell out 300 bucks to find out.

I noticed you mention that the size is not that big of a difference, yet I would argue The difference is quite large. Given the dimensions that you stated earlier:

Wavepuck, 2.5" wide to the nero 5 2.1" and wavepuck 3" tall to the nero 5 2.8" tall.

By calculating the volume (the area in the tank taken up by the device), you will find that the wavepuck is 50% larger (14.7 cubic inches vs 9.7 cubic inches). In my book, that is huge! If someone could produce a pump that produce the same flow with a 50% reduction in size from the Nero, that would be a huge accomplishment.

You always have to remember RB is a blog not news. By reading the four articles it appears that yes, Jake was expecting a leap much larger than the final Waveline product provided. But in the end it was his opinion. There’s nothing wrong with the wavelike pump. It is a very good pump. But to claim that Jake’s review was bias because of sponsorship money is completely ignoring the three pre-release articles to hype the product and the fact the Nero is much closer to what he was expecting to come from Waveline.