AI Nero 5 - The Little Pump That Could

Crabs McJones · Feb 28, 2020

So today I got in a pair of AI Nero 5 pumps. I got them from my good friend @Reef-Tank
Figured I'd give them a try as I was looking for something different from my ice cap gyres. Don't get me wrong, they work great and I love them, but I was looking for something different. Plus I'm a tech junkie and am always looking to try new things. I used to have a pair of Vortech MP10's and I missed them. I couldn't shell out for a pair of MP40's so these were the next best thing.
These pumps are rated at 3,000 gallons per hour each, and after I took them out of the box I thought to my self "yeah right, there's no way. Maybe together they'd reach 3k"
But I installed them, hooked them all up, and since I have the hydra 26HD's the Nero is ran off the same app which is really nice, and do they push water! I was blown away at how much a little pump could move! Linking them to the app was a breeze. You can go in and set schedules, see what gallons per hour each pump is currently running at, feed mode, set the pumps at full power for a set amount of time, which after they'll go back to their schedule, run a child and parent setup so one mimics the other or does the opposite of the other.
These little guys are amazing. If you've considered trying them i'd highly recommend them

Reef-Tank · Feb 28, 2020

@Crabs McJones I'm glad you like them and it work for your tank upgrade all in one app

Lizbeli · Feb 28, 2020

I love mine too. I was hesitant because I always used mp10s in my other tanks. So far I am impressed, and they have been running for about 6mths. They are very quiet too. I was worried about the look of the wires but honestly you hardly notice them.

AZMSGT · Feb 28, 2020

I was looking at them for a directional pump, but they scare me with all the reports of fish getting stuck or sucked through the back. Did you get the new cage with yours?

Crabs McJones · Feb 28, 2020

AZMSGT said:
I was looking at them for a directional pump, but they scare me with all the reports of fish getting stuck or sucked through the back. Did you get the new cage with yours?

No cages. But I don't have any super small fish. Hopefully theyll be ok

Jamesrup0411 · Feb 28, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
So today I got in a pair of AI Nero 5 pumps. I got them from my good friend @Reef-Tank
Figured I'd give them a try as I was looking for something different from my ice cap gyres. Don't get me wrong, they work great and I love them, but I was looking for something different. Plus I'm a tech junkie and am always looking to try new things. I used to have a pair of Vortech MP10's and I missed them. I couldn't shell out for a pair of MP40's so these were the next best thing.
These pumps are rated at 3,000 gallons per hour each, and after I took them out of the box I thought to my self "yeah right, there's no way. Maybe together they'd reach 3k"
But I installed them, hooked them all up, and since I have the hydra 26HD's the Nero is ran off the same app which is really nice, and do they push water! I was blown away at how much a little pump could move! Linking them to the app was a breeze. You can go in and set schedules, see what gallons per hour each pump is currently running at, feed mode, set the pumps at full power for a set amount of time, which after they'll go back to their schedule, run a child and parent setup so one mimics the other or does the opposite of the other.
These little guys are amazing. If you've considered trying them i'd highly recommend them

What size tank are you running the neros on?

siggy · Feb 28, 2020

PIC's I see there on sale for 200 thats not bad for what it is

Potatohead · Feb 28, 2020

I have four MP10s and I have been considering getting rid of all four and replacing with two or three Nero 5's. Only thing stopping me is how easy it is to clean the MP10's. Also I wonder if AI is working on larger or smaller versions of these.

chowberg · Feb 28, 2020

Jamesrup0411 said:
What size tank are you running the neros on?

@Crabs McJones I'd like to know this also. I am picking one up this weekend for my AIO 40 gallon and was wondering if it would be sufficient. I also have an AI Hydra26HD and looking forward on the two devices being on the same ecosystem!

Crabs McJones · Feb 28, 2020

Jamesrup0411 said:
What size tank are you running the neros on?

chowberg said:
@Crabs McJones I'd like to know this also. I am picking one up this weekend for my AIO 40 gallon and was wondering if it would be sufficient. I also have an AI Hydra26HD and looking forward on the two devices being on the same ecosystem!

75 gallon 4 foot tank

chowberg · Feb 28, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
75 gallon 4 foot tank

Nice! Are you placing one on each side? I could imagine that will give you a lot of options for different flow patterns.

Jamesrup0411 · Feb 28, 2020

I’m setting up a 90gal 4ft, I was considering Nero or reef octo. What percentage are you running them on? Would one Nero been sufficient for your tank?

Crabs McJones · Feb 28, 2020

chowberg said:
Nice! Are you placing one on each side? I could imagine that will give you a lot of options for different flow patterns.

Yup! One on each end

blstravler · Mar 2, 2020

I run 4 on RS 425xl (4ft) and they give a ton of flow. Agree the app is also very nice. If they make smaller one I’d hide them along my back wall to improve circulation through my rock ‘wall’ lol.

ReeferSteve · Mar 2, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
So today I got in a pair of AI Nero 5 pumps. I got them from my good friend @Reef-Tank
Figured I'd give them a try as I was looking for something different from my ice cap gyres. Don't get me wrong, they work great and I love them, but I was looking for something different. Plus I'm a tech junkie and am always looking to try new things. I used to have a pair of Vortech MP10's and I missed them. I couldn't shell out for a pair of MP40's so these were the next best thing.
These pumps are rated at 3,000 gallons per hour each, and after I took them out of the box I thought to my self "yeah right, there's no way. Maybe together they'd reach 3k"
But I installed them, hooked them all up, and since I have the hydra 26HD's the Nero is ran off the same app which is really nice, and do they push water! I was blown away at how much a little pump could move! Linking them to the app was a breeze. You can go in and set schedules, see what gallons per hour each pump is currently running at, feed mode, set the pumps at full power for a set amount of time, which after they'll go back to their schedule, run a child and parent setup so one mimics the other or does the opposite of the other.
These little guys are amazing. If you've considered trying them i'd highly recommend them

Do you like them better than the gyres?

gmoney243 · Mar 2, 2020

I recently purchased 2 for my 75g tanks as well, i am very impresses with the flow and app as stated. I have owned mp10s, mp40s and tunze pumps in the past. For the price id buy these anytime. My only gripe is the magnets on the inside that holds the pump in place is weak and can be knocked off when running my mag cleaner along the glass but not a deal breaker and holds in place while operational just fine

Naturalreef · Mar 2, 2020

does anyone know if these will work with the icecap battery backup version 1 or the new 24v version?

Crabs McJones · Mar 2, 2020

ReeferSteve said:
Do you like them better than the gyres?

I do for the simple fact I can link them together and run schedules. The ice caps were great but each ran off their own controller.

Jamesrup0411 · Mar 2, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
I do for the simple fact I can link them together and run schedules. The ice caps were great but each ran off their own controller.

I’m reading you can sync them with the wave engine now

FishDoc · Mar 2, 2020

Crabs McJones said:
So today I got in a pair of AI Nero 5 pumps. I got them from my good friend @Reef-Tank
Figured I'd give them a try as I was looking for something different from my ice cap gyres. Don't get me wrong, they work great and I love them, but I was looking for something different. Plus I'm a tech junkie and am always looking to try new things. I used to have a pair of Vortech MP10's and I missed them. I couldn't shell out for a pair of MP40's so these were the next best thing.
These pumps are rated at 3,000 gallons per hour each, and after I took them out of the box I thought to my self "yeah right, there's no way. Maybe together they'd reach 3k"
But I installed them, hooked them all up, and since I have the hydra 26HD's the Nero is ran off the same app which is really nice, and do they push water! I was blown away at how much a little pump could move! Linking them to the app was a breeze. You can go in and set schedules, see what gallons per hour each pump is currently running at, feed mode, set the pumps at full power for a set amount of time, which after they'll go back to their schedule, run a child and parent setup so one mimics the other or does the opposite of the other.
These little guys are amazing. If you've considered trying them i'd highly recommend them

Wait, aren’t these the “little pumps that COULDN’T stick to 1/2”+ glass? Haha, I kid, but seriously...?