Jebao Sw-2 wavemaker slowing down

[Tathamet]

Hey everyone,

I’ve had a Jebao sw-2 wave maker on my 9g fluval flex for about a year now and recently every day it seems to randomly get extremely weak (or its in reverse maybe? I can’t really tell) it still runs but the flow output drops wayyyy down to almost nothing. It still sounds like it’s running normal by the humming sound it makes as well.

I found that I can temporarily get the flow working again by either unplugging it and plugging it back in or turning on feed mode then turning it off. almost every morning I’m finding I have to reset the wavemaker and maybe 1 or 2 more times throughout the day as well which has me a bit concerned.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get it working properly again or is it time for a new wavemaker?

I’ve been cleaning it out every so often with a toothbrush and q-tip and also doing vinegar soaks beforehand but I still seem to have the problem even after the cleanings.

Thanks
Al

 

[BighohoReef]

I've been reading on the forum that vinegar isn't the best cleaning solution for wavemakers it penetrates the plastic and causes it to expand (which might explain some of your issues), what makes it even worse it is can get to the magnet area of your wavemaker. What probably makes it worse is that Jaebo isn't known for quality so the plastic components probably aren't of the highest make. I've recently switched to citric acid which is better recommended.

It's also a Jaebo product it might just be breaking down as Jaebo's do... on my other larger jabeo wavemakers they do something similar where they work for a few hours but then slow to eventually stopping. I've tried cleaning, a new controller but the issue persists.

I have SLW-20 that runs in my QT tank that's been running for 6-7 months no issues yet, monthly cleaning with citric acid.

 

[Tathamet]

I've been reading on the forum that vinegar isn't the best cleaning solution for wavemakers it penetrates the plastic and causes it to expand (which might explain some of your issues), what makes it even worse it is can get to the magnet area of your wavemaker. What probably makes it worse is that Jaebo isn't known for quality so the plastic components probably aren't of the highest make. I've recently switched to citric acid which is better recommended.

It's also a Jaebo product it might just be breaking down as Jaebo's do... on my other larger jabeo wavemakers they do something similar where they work for a few hours but then slow to eventually stopping. I've tried cleaning, a new controller but the issue persists.

I have SLW-20 that runs in my QT tank that's been running for 6-7 months no issues yet, monthly cleaning with citric acid.

oh interesting thanks I’ll read into that. I actually have a bag of citric acid so I wouldn’t mind switching. But yeah, I have a feeling it might just be on its way out.

Are there any other options for a controllable wavemaker for my size tank? from what I remember most of the other nano options had way more flow.

 

[BighohoReef]

For the 9g and for cost the SLW-10 or 20s are still what I'd recommend for wavemakers. I like that you can have the controller it's hard to beat for $30-60 dollars. If you wanted to go a little higher in price I'd say the Nero would be my other recommendation.

 

[Tathamet]

For the 9g and for cost the SLW-10 or 20s are still what I'd recommend for wavemakers. I like that you can have the controller it's hard to beat for $30-60 dollars. If you wanted to go a little higher in price I'd say the Nero would be my other recommendation.

Weird, I don’t see the slw series for sale in my area or local fish stores. looks like they’re about $100 to get shipped though which is still about a third of the price of the Nero 5.

Will the Nero last a lot longer? And will it scale back enough? I do have an ai prime HD and love its controllability. I’ve heard mp10 are also really good but it looks like they’re $120 more than the Nero 5.

 

[BighohoReef]

I've only found them the SLW line on ebay. Normally I would recommend the MP10, but for your tank size it might be a bit too much and the cost isn't really worth it, I mean the wavemaker alone is the cost of your tank. You also can't direct flow with the MP10 it just sits flat on your glass, and in my opinion with limited space you need that.

 

[Tathamet]

I've only found them the SLW line on ebay. Normally I would recommend the MP10, but for your tank size it might be a bit too much and the cost isn't really worth it, I mean the wavemaker alone is the cost of your tank. You also can't direct flow with the MP10 it just sits flat on your glass, and in my opinion with limited space you need that.

Yeah I definitely need small. As for adjustable direction I don’t know if non-adjustable wavemakers will work for me but am hoping they will. I find I have to direct the flow up on my sw-2 or it blasts against the glass on the other side and moves everything around in my tank.

thanks for your suggestions! I may go with an slw-10. I see it on eBay for $90 CAD ($66USD). Who knows I may just go with another sw-2 or see if I can get a replacement power head without the controller and hope it lasts longer with citric acid.

 

[BighohoReef]

Shoot I thought it was cheaper than that... I paid 55 USD for my SLW20 must be the covid cost of business.

Citric acid should help though.

 

[Biologic]

Digging up this old thread just to share my similar experiences. I bought a SLW-20 in September 2020. It’s the pure wifi control unit, no manual interface. Controlled via app only. I’ve seen this one slow down significantly. It’s just not moving the same amount of water

Strangely enough it’s pulling about the same wattage. 19-21 watts on average.

2 months later, I bought a SLW-10, same interface, all app controlled. It too is a bit slower.

I honestly wished I could have gotten an AI Nero5, which is almost equal to what a Jebao SLW-20 can do, but much smaller. Over all, for the money, it’s a good pump, but you’d get a better pump for like $50 more with AI with much more performance.

I’ve used full strength vinegar on it, but just for 5 minutes. Not sure if that’s significant enough for damage, but considering all the good reviews on citric acid, I’ll use that for now on.

 

[Rmckoy]

There was a article regarding acidic acid ( vinegar to clear magnetic impeller pumps .
how it effects the material swelling and eventually seizing .

I have used jeabo pumps for years and given the cost .
you can’t go wrong .
comparable in performance and a fraction of the cost .
Warranty is non existent though .
Some lfs will honour warranty but I haven’t found one yet .
when they break , it’s cheap
Enough to replace or upgrade to a newer model .