Maxspect Gyre Concerns

Brian Kennedy · Dec 17, 2018

I'm currently putting together all the components of my new 120g build. I'm leaning towards opposing 230's and have been reading some concerning comments about the maxspect gyre. The tank is a reef ready 60x18 marineland with dual corner overflows.

1. From experience, are they as loud as mounting reviews indicate?

2. Do the various flow settings of the gyre put significant stress on the aquarium silicone?

Undertaker · Dec 17, 2018

I have the 250 on my reefer 350 and it really quite. I have heard people say that running in alternate mode. Meaning going forward then backwards will make then load. But I only run it forward. Haven’t heard anything about stress on the silicone.

frank the tank · Dec 18, 2018

Brian Kennedy said:
I'm currently putting together all the components of my new 120g build. I'm leaning towards opposing 230's and have been reading some concerning comments about the maxspect gyre. The tank is a reef ready 60x18 marineland with dual corner overflows.

1. From experience, are they as loud as mounting reviews indicate?

2. Do the various flow settings of the gyre put significant stress on the aquarium silicone?

I have two 230s on my tank and when they are above 60 % they are a little noisy but I only run mine at a max of 20% and there is a ton of flow. My tank is only a 65 gallon but there is more than enough power to handle a 120 mixed tank. And as far as the wear on the tank you can control the ramp up and down time any way you want. So if you set it for a quick change in flow I could see it putting a lot of stress on the tank but if you slow down the flow changes you should have nothing to worry about.

happysalt · Dec 18, 2018

Following...debating using these on my new build!

Sumo Reef · Dec 18, 2018

I run two icecap 1k's in my 30g cube with the 'proper' alternating mode setup - meaning each gyre has duplicate blades (two left side blades/two right side blades if that makes sense). There is a slight hum on only one gyre and i notice because the driveshaft end doesnt sit properly in the guide. The other one is perfectly silent.

Captain Quint · Dec 18, 2018

I run two 230's in a custom 65g in L.T.C. mode both ramp up and down from 10 to 40%. They are quiet and I've had no issues with them for over a year.

Sierra_Bravo · Dec 18, 2018

I use two 250's on my 120 gallon. I've had them for a year and a half, and after running them on various pre and self programmed patterns I now have each set on an alternating random flow pattern. I limit the upper level to 60% power.

I could not be more pleased with the amount or randomness of the flow in my tank. They are silent to the point that I cannot hear them if I am not standing directly in front of the tank and listening for them, and even then I only hear them when they hit the upper range of the setting. The exception to this is when they become dirty, then I can hear them ramp up and down but still not to the point of annoyance.

I have not seen any issues with the silicone at all. First time I've ever heard of that being a thing. I do more damage to my silicone with my mag float than the Gyre's ever could.

WWIII · Dec 18, 2018

I've heard the warning before, that these type of wavemaker/gyre powerheads coul potentially put more stress on the silicone joints. I'm pretty sure the manufacturers just put this out there at some point to try and shift liability and cover themselves. I've not heard of anyone having an issue with the seams from powerhead position/strength. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened, but if it has it's extremely rare.

pecan2phat · Dec 18, 2018

I picked up a pair of XF-230s about 10 days ago and I can say that they are much louder and annoying then the pair of XF-250s that are on another tank.
You can hear the whine ramping up and down across the room and even on 10% constant, I find them audible enough to be proplexing as to WHY.........

Fish E · Dec 19, 2018

If you can wait until the release, the next generation of gyres are sine wave which would minimize the noise issues.

https://reefbuilders.com/2018/11/30/new-gyre-300-series-pumps-feature-sine-wave-tech-flow-director/

A sea K · Dec 19, 2018

Fish E said:
If you can wait until the release, the next generation of gyres are sine wave which would minimize the noise issues.

https://reefbuilders.com/2018/11/30/new-gyre-300-series-pumps-feature-sine-wave-tech-flow-director/

anyone have an idea when they will be here?

Brian Kennedy · Dec 19, 2018

Looks like they are already available for sale in Canada.

User1 · Dec 19, 2018

If you can get the 250's may be a better option if an upgrade is in your future. That is if you are going with them. I have a pair of 250's and they are more or less quiet. Only time they get loud is if they are overly dirty or I'm running them full throttle which I do not. I do maybe once a month to stir things up a bit on the substrate but other than that they are pretty tame. Once you learn the controller it is pretty simple to dial in be it customer or using one of the pre programmed flows. No stress above and beyond what any other wave maker would induce but less than say a surge device.

They move water. A lot. Let me repeat that part. They are powerful and if you compare the 230, 250, and 280 you will see the size and output difference. 250's seem like the sweet spot for me (my opinion) and are a great value. If you decide to pre-programmed then ltc (lunar tidal cycle) is good when using two. Ogc which is oceanic gyre cycle is a good program when using a single unit. Just make sure you are using the correct paddles in this mode since it uses reverse so won't work well or as intended with the default configuration it ships with.

Less mature tanks (what I am seeing now) that are recently finished cycling or don't have a lot of corals will flow one way compared to more mature tanks that have lots of various corals that restrict flow. This is when dialing in the gyre's becomes a challenge and more custom code may be necessary. Very important part for any pump I guess but it is something I've noticed with mine.

Brian Kennedy · Dec 19, 2018

Great write up. Thanks for the info.

Kyl · Dec 19, 2018

230's are already EOL and probably won't be for sale at may vendors. FWIW I cannot hear my 2x 230's when at my desk (tank is 6 feet from desk), but I only run them a max 40% in my tank else the sand blows all over.

Brian Kennedy · Dec 20, 2018

What size tank as war grade of sand?. My build is a 120g 60x18 and I plan on using special grade.

roberthu526 · Dec 20, 2018

Mines are all loud after a few months of use even after cleaning. I owned four pairs in total in the course of two years. I eventually sold them due to the noise and also extensive maintenance required.

Brian Kennedy · Dec 20, 2018

I would love to hear from someone that has gotten their hands on the new 300 series, but I think I'm leaning towards an MP40 instead. I will be supplementing with at least one Turbelle 6025.