Maxspect Gyre - Buyer Beware

mjs020294 · Jun 23, 2015

I have been using a Xf-150 since late January and the cabling has failed close to the powered, YES inside the tank. I am bringing this to everyone's attention because the first unit I received from Dr Fosters arrived with a broken cable close to the power head. I returned that unit and bought another one from my LFS the same day because I needed one ASAP.

It appears the cabling used for this unit is not rated from a saltwater tank. The outer core of the cable has become extremely brittle and starting cracking. The inner cables are now completely exposed and its only a matter of time before the water makes its way to the motor.

I have opened a ticket with CoralVue and will update the thread when they reply. Personally I do not want another Gyre in my tank after seeing the same issue with two units.

EDO · Jun 23, 2015

Thanks for the heads up. I have one in my tank since Feb and will be keeping a eye on it.

Eckolancer · Jun 23, 2015

I had the same issue and a couple guys locally have as well. I had my unit replaced and sold it letting the guy know this can become an issue. Mine was about a year old before I noticed the wire.

mjs020294 · Jun 23, 2015

Eckolancer said:
I had the same issue and a couple guys locally have as well. I had my unit replaced and sold it letting the guy know this can become an issue. Mine was about a year old before I noticed the wire.

That is what I suspected, its a manufacturing issues caused by the quality/grade of the wire used. Mine has been in the same position with no pressure or friction on the unit. The saltwater has basically degraded the integrity of the outer core of the cable.

I will try and get my money back from the LFS or Coralvue, and maybe switch to MP40s. Its a shame really, the design of the unit is good and it works well but I can have risk the chance of fire or frying my live stock.

Shep · Jun 24, 2015

Yikes, this is good to know. I wonder if they have changed this yet in the newer units

Paul C. · Jun 24, 2015

Same thing here with mine. Got a replacement motor from Maxspect

d2mini · Jun 24, 2015

What exactly do you mean by "failed"?
I've had mine running since December and just finally took it out and gave it a vinegar soak a couple weeks ago but didn't notice anything.
Now I'll have to check.

luke33 · Jun 24, 2015

This is concerning, I've only had mine for a month. Hope this was fixed on the newer versions. Do you guys who have had issue's have any pics you can post? I'd like to see what may happen.

steve&mari · Jun 24, 2015

Interested in pics also as we're running one for about 2 months now.

mjs020294 · Jun 24, 2015

luke33 said:
This is concerning, I've only had mine for a month. Hope this was fixed on the newer versions. Do you guys who have had issue's have any pics you can post? I'd like to see what may happen.

I have just received an email from Coralvue confirming this is a known issue and the newer units have upgraded wiring. Nice of them to carry on selling defected products and not recall the bad units for replacement.

mjs020294 · Jun 24, 2015

d2mini said:
What exactly do you mean by "failed"?
.

The outer core of the powerhead wiring goes hard, brittle and cracks when exposed to water or heat/cold. Its basically low quality wiring. I have had $20 powerheads running for years without any problems.

FoD · Jun 24, 2015

mjs020294 said:
I have just received an email from Coralvue confirming this is a known issue and the newer units have upgraded wiring. Nice of them to carry on selling defected products and not recall the bad units for replacement.

Standard operating procedure for CoralVue it seems now...don't know what happened in the last couple of years. They used to have the best Customer Service/Support in the business. I guess it is too expensive to do right by the customer.

mjs020294 · Jun 24, 2015

Indeed. How can you knowing sell an electrical item that submerges in water knowing the wiring is not rated for under water usage. The initial problem was probably caused by the Chinese manufacturer but they have a duty of responsibility to their customers.

shred5 · Jun 24, 2015

FoD said:
Standard operating procedure for CoralVue it seems now...don't know what happened in the last couple of years. They used to have the best Customer Service/Support in the business. I guess it is too expensive to do right by the customer.

I dont think a recall is up to them it would be up to Maxspect.
They probably could put pressure on them if this is wide spread problem...
If this is a real problem then there should be a recall.

mjs020294 said:
Indeed. How can you knowing sell an electrical item that submerges in water knowing the wiring is not rated for under water usage. The initial problem was probably caused by the Chinese manufacturer but they have a duty of responsibility to their customers.

I doubt they knowingly did and it sounds like they fixed it once they did know if what was said up above is true..

It also sounds like those with issues are being taken care of..

zesty · Jun 24, 2015

Are there any pictures of these cracking power cords?

And is the Gyre UL rated? Would the UL rating cover that?

jporter17 · Jun 24, 2015

I had the same thing happen. The fractured wiring also led to some bizarre skimmer operation that required a substantial water change over the period of a week. I didn't notice the problem until after the Gyre started spitting out micro bubbles for a few days. After removing it from the tank I noticed the cracks with the wiring. I was sent a new motor block and the wiring is definitely thicker and seems more pliable. Part of the problem has to be with the design that has the cord exiting straight out and requiring a quick bend to not interfere with the glass while the magnets attach. I'm not sure what this leeched into my water but things were looking bad for a while and are just starting to come back. JP

mjs020294 · Jun 24, 2015

shred5 said:
I dont think a recall is up to them it would be up to Maxspect.
They probably could put pressure on them if this is wide spread problem...
If this is a real problem then there should be a recall.

Well I have had two units with the same issue and found other people that have had the problem as well. I think getting confirmation the wiring has been changed is an indication its a widespread problems on units sold prior to at least Febuary 2015.

mjs020294 · Jun 24, 2015

Mine has cracked about two inches away from the motor block. If you handle the cable that was in the water its hard and brittle but the rest of the cable is still fairly soft. At least is a DC unit but I am not sure how well fish and coral would cope with an electrical current in the water.