RMS18
I keep water chemistry as my hobby
Hello Reefers,
I thought i would do a review on the Icecap Interface Modules and shed some light on an important notice not disclosed by vendors / manufacture.
I purchased my Icecap 3k gyres and Icecap 3k interface modules brand new from BRS back in August 2018. Once my system was up i was using the stock native controllers that came with the Icecap gyres for a few days while i organized the equipment panel. I took notice that running the pumps at 40% was all i needed for the flow i desired. I knew once the tank was mature with corals i would need to increase the power.
Once i had the modules installed and programmed the Apex i noticed something disturbing. 40% power using the modules and Apex was no longer 40%. The water was barley moving. So i did some online searching thinking it was an error on my part, being new to Apex. I contacted Coralvue and Carlos was assisting me. He insisted this could not be, even though i found some other threads online with people complaining about the same issue. He was kind enough to take the modules in for repair. He said his tech had re flashed the pumps and they were working correctly. They even sent me a video.
Once the Modules were back in my hands and installed, the same issue was happening. I had to turn the power up to 80% to achieve what the stock native controller does with 40%. The issue with turning them up this high made me concerned would i have enough wiggle room left over once corals grew in? Plus at this higher number the Icecap Gyres start to emit a humming noise.
I did write a review on BRS to let people know you will lose 30% of the power the pump can supply, this review has yet to be posted.
I will be upgrading to Maxspect FX250 rated for 5300gph vs the Icecap 3k rated at 3000gph as a fix.
I don't want this to come off as a negative review but more of a warning to others that this should have been disclosed by the vendors / manufacture. The modules allow me to set a custom schedule, so i can move the turbulence throughout the tank. Unfortunately without this disclosure it will cost me more money for new pumps and i will take a lose on re-selling these vs allowing me to buy the Maxspect from the start.
Happy New Year!
I thought i would do a review on the Icecap Interface Modules and shed some light on an important notice not disclosed by vendors / manufacture.
I purchased my Icecap 3k gyres and Icecap 3k interface modules brand new from BRS back in August 2018. Once my system was up i was using the stock native controllers that came with the Icecap gyres for a few days while i organized the equipment panel. I took notice that running the pumps at 40% was all i needed for the flow i desired. I knew once the tank was mature with corals i would need to increase the power.
Once i had the modules installed and programmed the Apex i noticed something disturbing. 40% power using the modules and Apex was no longer 40%. The water was barley moving. So i did some online searching thinking it was an error on my part, being new to Apex. I contacted Coralvue and Carlos was assisting me. He insisted this could not be, even though i found some other threads online with people complaining about the same issue. He was kind enough to take the modules in for repair. He said his tech had re flashed the pumps and they were working correctly. They even sent me a video.
Once the Modules were back in my hands and installed, the same issue was happening. I had to turn the power up to 80% to achieve what the stock native controller does with 40%. The issue with turning them up this high made me concerned would i have enough wiggle room left over once corals grew in? Plus at this higher number the Icecap Gyres start to emit a humming noise.
I did write a review on BRS to let people know you will lose 30% of the power the pump can supply, this review has yet to be posted.
I will be upgrading to Maxspect FX250 rated for 5300gph vs the Icecap 3k rated at 3000gph as a fix.
I don't want this to come off as a negative review but more of a warning to others that this should have been disclosed by the vendors / manufacture. The modules allow me to set a custom schedule, so i can move the turbulence throughout the tank. Unfortunately without this disclosure it will cost me more money for new pumps and i will take a lose on re-selling these vs allowing me to buy the Maxspect from the start.
Happy New Year!
