Are Jeabo pumps junk?

[nex64]

Usuallyyou get what you pay for with jb

 

[Mindi]

I have a range of their stuff..Coral Box doser...10/10...Coral Box Skimmer 10/10 (includes a DC3000 pump)...A DCT 6000 return pump also 10/10. All the stuff branded Coral Box is much better quality than native Jebao/Jecod. I have had their DP4 Jeba0 dosing pumps...5/10 and their RW6 and RW8 stream pumps...5/10. ...but they were a few years ago now. I think they left their bad quality behind when releasing the Coral Box range..although the DC pumps are still branded Jecod I see.

 

[Brad Vaughn]

I've ran them for years. I've had one quit in 10 years. From the old Jebo to the Jebao.

 

[denierlexiese]

I had one jebao quit, but I abused it, not cleaning it for 3 years when it finally died. Now I clean every few months with the new ones. No issues in the last 6 months.

 

[wpeterson]

Jebao provides decent return pumps similar to other DC pump designs at cut rate prices, but without any support.

I've run a DC-9000 and a DCS-12000 across several tanks over the last few years. They continue releasing slight improvements in impeller design and other updates. I have had a pump seize on me 2-3 times over 3 years, but usually due to calcium build up (and lack of maintenance). I had one DC-9000 power supply fail, but I was able to replace it for $20.

Any moving/heat-generating object in a reef tank will get calcium deposits. Diligent maintenance is cleaning/vinegar bath every 3 months, but you might get away with every 6-9 months. I recently had the DCS-12000 seize after running for over a year without maintenance but a vinegar bath had it running like new. Also, if you overdose you alk/calc you are more likely to experience problems with calcium buildup.

I'd echo everyone else's advice to always buy a backup or run a dual pump system. These things fail all the time, regardless of manufacturer.

I do pay a premium for Ecotech powerheads in my display, since I think the quality/programmable flow is worth it. Return pumps are commodity items for me as long as they meet the flow/head pressure your geometry requires.

I've also used a Jebao DP-4 dosing pump for 3+years now. The original one I bought had one broken dosing head out of four, so I sold it and bought another one which has run for three years without anything but re-calibration as I moved it between tanks.

 

[DBR_Reef]

With the DCS line at least, I feel the weakness is in the controller, which seem to go on occasion based on what I have seen from others. They also push way less head than they claim. But other than that I have no complaints. I don't clean mine particularly often and run it externally, no problems so far

 

[Richard498]

Mine lasted a little less than a year in my 75 gallon. It made great waves while it lasted though.

 

[The Flying Turkey]

My 3 Jebao wave makers have been running for 4 years. Zero issues. I clean them twice a year in a vinegar bath. I just bought a Jebao return pump about 6 months ago... so far so good.

 

[reeferfoxx]

Although this pumps smallest size(at the moment) is the DCP5000, the newest DCP series is suppose to address a lot of concerns. Here's a link. Just to add, I've been using Jebao powerheads(RW, PP series) for over 4 years now. So far I like the new PP series most. I did have issues with RW series. I also use a DC3000 return pump thats been running 1.6 yrs now.

 

[jasonrusso]

Well, I just installed my DCS 3000 on my UV light. The Eheim 1250 was pushing about 120gph through 1/2” tube. The Jeabo on 6/8 is moving 200+. I want to be at 300 so I might have to increase the tubing to 3/4."

 

[USMA36]

Still, no one has answered my question. Does the pump ever short out in the water?

Plug it into a GFI outlet and don’t worry about it. If it shorts out, it’ll trip the GFI. If you have an apex and enable heartbeat you’ll know pretty quick.

 

[IBernE]

RW8 running perfectly for 13 months. Love it.

 

[jimkyle74]

I am thinking about trying a Jebao pump, but I have a hard time believing they are quality for the price. What are your experiences?

If they are junk and don't last, how do they fail? I can possibly deal with a pump not starting, but I can't deal with a cracked housing shorting out in the water. When they fail, do they show symptoms or just stop working. I am planning on using one on a UV sterilizer and one on my reactors. If the UV pump fails and I don't notice it, it can cause the UV to overheat causing damage so that is not desirable.

How long do they last? When you buy an Eheim, you buy it for life. What are the expectations with these?

Can I use 1/2" tubing with these?

http://www.fish-street.com/jebao_dct3000_water_return_pump
http://www.fish-street.com/jebao_dcs2000_return_pump?search_string=dcs+2000

I've had my PP4 for well over a year and no issues at all. I clean it once a month in vinegar and RODI with a brush and still looks and runs like new. I think a lot of the time it's all in how you maintain the pumps also.

 

[pfoxgrover]

I currently have 4 RW powerheads controlled by my apex and two DCT 12000 return pumps running on the same tank in order to provide a fail-safe. They are good pumps for the money, just have spare parts on hand. The spare parts are very cheap and a lifesaver when you need them. Spare power supplies, impellers and bearings are all available. I go through tons of two part on my tank and have had precipitation problems in the past. Good maintenance will make a big difference in the life of these pumps. The only problems I have had have been caused by calcium buildup or the occasional power supply failure particularly when running the DCT 12000 at the highest setting.

 

[Manny1]

I have not used the jebao pumps but yes I have used their power heads and I have never had any issues besides the rubber foot or the rubber suction cup, they start to detiriorate and your hand get black tint from touching them. Besides that 100% good. Oh and yes I use my Apex to service them.

 

[Firethorn77]

Per my experience, the Rw series is trash. Had an 8 and 20 crap out on me within about 3 months at best. I currently have a PP series that's been going strong for over six months now.

 

[jasonrusso]

Plug it into a GFI outlet and don’t worry about it. If it shorts out, it’ll trip the GFI. If you have an apex and enable heartbeat you’ll know pretty quick.

I am properly set up with 2 GFIs, ground probe, and battery backup.

I'd rather not have to deal at all. I had a Hydor powerhead crack and shut down my GFI. I'll never buy another Hydor.

 

[jasonrusso]

To be honest, when I started this thread, I didn't even know Jeabo made Powerheads. I was just looking at the small return pumps.

I am not trusting it for my return. I have 2 Eheim 1262 pumps for that. I have to know those will run 24/7. My algae and biopellet reactors are not as critical and I can't see spending $180 for another 3/4" Eheim. The same goes for my big UV light.

My only concern with the pump failing is that my UV light might overheat without the water flow.

 

[HB AL]

At was at the lfs about a year ago and figured I might as well add a wavemaker pump. New guy is showing me the 200 to 300$ pumps. So i ask him how much is that one ( Jebeo ) is and started telling me there junk they brake monthly, yadayada.... So i ask him again how much he looks down and says 65$, I said I will take one, 1 year later with by monthly cleaning it still works. He doesn't work there anymore but I would remind him every time I saw him for the last 7 months.

 

[HB AL]

To be honest, when I started this thread, I didn't even know Jeabo made Powerheads. I was just looking at the small return pumps.

I am not trusting it for my return. I have 2 Eheim 1262 pumps for that. I have to know those will run 24/7. My algae and biopellet reactors are not as critical and I can't see spending $180 for another 3/4" Eheim. The same goes for my big UV light.

My only concern with the pump failing is that my UV light might overheat without the water flow.

I have 2 pumps in my sump running at the same time just in case. You could by 2 smaller cheaper pumps and ease your concern.