Maxspect Gyre owners roll call

aeras1131 · Nov 15, 2017

Hello All,
I purchased a Maxspect gyre xf23o ~2 weeks ago for my Standard 90 Reef Aquarium. I want to take a roll call of all the aquarium hobbyists who use them and their opinions. I am enamored by mine. I run mine at max 50% sustained forward and reverse and mimic tides in and an 8 change configuration. Forward, Turbulence, Reverse. Repeat this in 2 times cycles. After doing this, I have noted a definitive change of behavior of my fish and corals. I love it

Maritimer · Nov 15, 2017

I've got two - 150 & 250 - on the new controller, mounted at each end. Run both on fwd/reverse, with slightly different timings so that the surge and crash vary throughout a several-hour period.

Tank is a 220, pumps are maxing at 70% in forward, 100% in reverse.

~Bruce

Kyl · Nov 15, 2017

I have a gen 1 XF150 controlled via apex in my 65gallon. It has been a workhorse in the tank, so much so that I'm purchasing two XF230's for my new 4' 60 gallon tank. They won't be apex controlled initially, still holding out hope that Maxspect and Neptune bring the intergration to us.

Code:

If Time 10:00 to 12:00 Then Ramp_Up
If Time 12:00 to 18:00 Then Pulse
If Time 18:00 to 20:00 Then Ramp_Down
If Time 20:00 to 10:00 Then Night
If Output SurgeMode = ON Then Surge

Ramp_Up moves from 15% to 30%
Pulse is 25% to 40%, changing every minute.
Ramp_Down 30% to 15%
Night 15%
SurgeMode does 60% blast for 5 minutes per hour. I can't run it higher than 70% else the sand will be all over.

kamike91 · Nov 16, 2017

Maxvengers assemble!!!

I've had a xf150 since release day on my 6 foot 125. It think that's about 4ish years and it's still going strong. I run it at 70% forwards for 2 minutes and 100% backwards for 2 minutes. I clean it once every month or so in distilled vinegar and water. I love it.
I was going to get the second one (xf250) but got a good deal on an mp40wqd.

The gyre really puts out a lot of flow.

Makers Marc · Nov 16, 2017

I'm about to pull the trigger on two xf250 gyres to go with my Apex 2016 today, and need yalls help.

If I want to connect to my APEX only, please confirm that I need to buy:

2x gyre x250
2x ice cap modules
2x power supply
2x power cords

It's ridiculous bc BRS doesnt have the power supply, Coralvue site sells it. But you have to buy the cord separately too? Am I missing something and is there an alternative I'm overlooking in supplying the power?

Waalker · Nov 16, 2017

I have a 250, but it is on a 75g so I can barely run it at 10%. Still, I can appreciate the performance if I had a more appropriate size!

azbigjohn · Nov 16, 2017

I love my XF-230 on my 6 foot 210 gallon. I want to add a second one on the opposite end! Great flow, fairly simple maintenance, and dependable as all get out for me.

Js.Aqua.Project · Nov 16, 2017

Present!

OTC max 80% on my 125

NY_Caveman · Nov 16, 2017

Does IceCap count? 3k is licensed from Maxspect. If so I will be joining this club very soon if the IceCap 2k gets released next month as rumored. I like the 3k, but think that is too much for the JBJ 30 build I am working on. How do you all run them? I am planning forward/reverse ramping gyre mode.

landlubber · Nov 16, 2017

first off, i run 2 XF250's on the new controller to push the water in my 120g standard. it's plugged into an apex outlet so i can cut the power for maintenance.

Makers Marc said:
I'm about to pull the trigger on two xf250 gyres to go with my Apex 2016 today, and need yalls help.
It's ridiculous bc BRS doesnt have the power supply, Coralvue site sells it. But you have to buy the cord separately too? Am I missing something and is there an alternative I'm overlooking in supplying the power?

personally i think you're over-complicating things.
buy 2 xf250's but buy one with the controller and buy the other pump without one. the new controller as cables ready to support both pumps and then plug the 120v power outlet into your apex eb8. voila... 2 pumps powered by one outlet with individual control.
the programming can be done manually or 2 pre-installed modes can be used. there is no need to control anything but power with the apex in this case.

cracker · Nov 16, 2017

I have 2 250's on my 180. They ramp up and down opposite of each other. They appear to create great flow.

Makers Marc · Nov 16, 2017

landlubber said:
first off, i run 2 XF250's on the new controller to push the water in my 120g standard. it's plugged into an apex outlet so i can cut the power for maintenance.

personally i think you're over-complicating things.
buy 2 xf250's but buy one with the controller and buy the other pump without one. the new controller as cables ready to support both pumps and then plug the 120v power outlet into your apex eb8. voila... 2 pumps powered by one outlet with individual control.
the programming can be done manually or 2 pre-installed modes can be used. there is no need to control anything but power with the apex in this case.

Very helpful. So the APEX would only serve to turn it on and off or would program them via the maxspec controller?

Kyl · Nov 16, 2017

landlubber said:
first off, i run 2 XF250's on the new controller to push the water in my 120g standard. it's plugged into an apex outlet so i can cut the power for maintenance.

personally i think you're over-complicating things.
buy 2 xf250's but buy one with the controller and buy the other pump without one. the new controller as cables ready to support both pumps and then plug the 120v power outlet into your apex eb8. voila... 2 pumps powered by one outlet with individual control.
the programming can be done manually or 2 pre-installed modes can be used. there is no need to control anything but power with the apex in this case.

There are things you simply cannot do with the stand alone controller, and frankly once you have that amount of finite control over things, it's hard to let go of. I will agree the new controller is a huge improvement and the modes offered are a far better mesh than G1, but it's not the same.

Maxspect teased some of the ICV6 <> Apex functionality at 2016 MACNA, and nothing since.

atoll · Nov 16, 2017

I have 2 FX150s in the horizontal position at each end of my tank connected to a Sicce Wave Surfer. plus an FX130 in a back corner positioned vertically in my 100gallon total.
(BTW I also have 2 Tunze 6040 half way down each end at the front)

landlubber · Nov 16, 2017

Makers Marc said:
Very helpful. So the APEX would only serve to turn it on and off or would program them via the maxspec controller?

the apex would only offer power on and power off and the maxspect controller is what you'll use to set your program.

Dj24680 · Nov 16, 2017

I got 2 250 in my 3ft 65g and have them set to Lts at 80%max and love them. Sps dominant tank

Chris Mastino · Nov 16, 2017

I have 2 or the 250's on my 125 gallon and love them. I run the L.T.C. mode at 70%. Does an awesome job moving water around my mixed reef.

aeras1131 · Nov 16, 2017

@Makers Marc What do you feel is the benefit of bypassing maxpects controller. Personally, I would avoid putting my eggs in all one basket.

aeras1131 · Nov 16, 2017

Interesting @Waalker I I have a standard 90 24 inches front to back. You should probably only have the xf230. The xf250 is probably too big for your aquarium. Flow rate linearly decreases till 24 inches with the gyre. Do you have your gyre on the back or on the side of your aquarium?

rocsec1 · Nov 16, 2017

I have a 250 in my 120. I love the pump but hate the controller. I found it very hard to program. I would love to control it through my apex, but the price of the module has kept me from doing it. I don’t think I am getting the most out of it. I have to do some research on it.