Maxspect Gyre

Bill_Moorman · Jul 1, 2018

Good morning all!

I am doing some research about the maxspect Gyre pump. What are everyone’s experiences?

My 40B LPS dominant tank is doing great. I like the look of the Gyre and see it recommended often.

I currently have a small Koralia and a tunze (bought it a while ago, don’t remember the model number) pointed at each other opposite from each other to create flow, in addition to my sump return on a lock line fan nozzle to create surface agitation.

Would I be able to remove both the tunze and koralia and replace with a single Gyre?

Thanks in advance!

Jonreefer · Jul 1, 2018

id look into the Icecap 3k. its much cheaper and would move plenty of water for the 40B. I really enjoy my Icecap 1k

Bill_Moorman · Jul 1, 2018

Jonreefer said:
id look into the Icecap 3k. its much cheaper and would move plenty of water for the 40B. I really enjoy my Icecap 1k

Just checked it out. Significantly cheaper for sure. Reviews are mixed, just like the maxspect. Have you had any issues? How’s the noise?

JRAD · Jul 1, 2018

I have maxspect, icecap 1k and an mp10. I really do not like the maxspect controller. Have to get out the manual every time I want to change settings. It does however move a TON of water. It is quiet except on some of the setting there is a slight whir as it ramps up to speed. I absolutely love the controller for the mp10- I think the easiest to use by far. Only downside for me is I have trouble keeping my mp10 quiet. When adjusted properly it is silent. Then after a week it starts makin an annoying sound and needs to be readjusted again . I think the Icecap controller is almost as intuitive and easy to use as the MP 10. The icecap 1k puts out plenty flow and I can’t hear it make any noise.

sromero287 · Jul 1, 2018

JRAD said:
I have maxspect, icecap 1k and an mp10. I really do not like the maxspect controller. Have to get out the manual every time I want to change settings. It does however move a TON of water. It is quiet except on some of the setting there is a slight whir as it ramps up to speed. I absolutely love the controller for the mp10- I think the easiest to use by far. Only downside for me is I have trouble keeping my mp10 quiet. When adjusted properly it is silent. Then after a week it starts makin an annoying sound and needs to be readjusted again . I think the Icecap controller is almost as intuitive and easy to use as the MP 10. The icecap 1k puts out plenty flow and I can’t hear it make any noise.

The situation with the noise on the MP 10 used to be the same issue that I had before on mine and I just contact eco-tech marine customer support and for my surprise with just one dollar they replace the whole thing, Now is silent even at 90%, Ecotech customer service is second to none.

I’d used to have the gyres and they move lots of water but they’re way noisier than MPQD’s. And with the reef link or the WXM through Apex you can manage lights, wavemakers and soon the return pump as well. That’s my .02.
Good luck [emoji106][emoji225][emoji886]

Bill_Moorman · Jul 1, 2018

Lol I think I have equipment envy...there’s no need to change it up, I am just looking for more stuff!

I suppose that’s something I struggle with...need to learn to leave things alone that are doing well!

Jonreefer · Jul 1, 2018

i can run my Icecap 1k to 100% and it is absolutely dead silent

Bill_Moorman · Jul 1, 2018

Jonreefer said:
i can run my Icecap 1k to 100% and it is absolutely dead silent

Oh man. It’s looking better and better haha. People really seem to like them!

OriginalUserName · Jul 1, 2018

+1 on the Icecap 1k. Mine ramps up to 100% and it's completely silent. I've been using it for about 6 months now with just a single quick cleaning.

I have ordered two Maxspects for my new tank because I needed the extra flow that I wouldn't get from 2 3k icecaps. I hope they are as quiet.

JRAD · Jul 1, 2018

sromero287 said:
The situation with the noise on the MP 10 used to be the same issue that I had before on mine and I just contact eco-tech marine customer support and for my surprise with just one dollar they replace the whole thing, Now is silent even at 90%, Ecotech customer service is second to none.

I’d used to have the gyres and they move lots of water but they’re way noisier than MPQD’s. And with the reef link or the WXM through Apex you can manage lights, wavemakers and soon the return pump as well. That’s my .02.
Good luck [emoji106][emoji225][emoji886]

Wow- that is great customer service!

roberthu526 · Jul 1, 2018

For a 40B you will regret it if you with gyre. Even with the 230’s set to the lowest intensity, your LPS will likely be blown away. I use the 240’s on a 5 ft tank set to 30% for LPS.

Bill_Moorman · Jul 1, 2018

roberthu526 said:
For a 40B you will regret it if you with gyre. Even with the 230’s set to the lowest intensity, your LPS will likely be blown away. I use the 240’s on a 5 ft tank set to 30% for LPS.

Very good info to know. I’m going to hold off for now.

Livinlocal · Jul 2, 2018

I have 2 maxspect gyres on my 72”x24”x8” frag tank and couldn’t be happier. They extremely outperformed my 2 mp10s that I previously had on the tank. I only run them on the 30% random mode, and they move waaaay more water then both of my mp10s at 100%. I also have the advanced control and it’s amazing.

But I think even one 230 would be too much for your tank.

Jonreefer · Jul 2, 2018

dont be put off to much. just get the one with the flow you need. I run my 1K in my 20" cube up to 100% with no issues. doesnt cause any sand movement or anything. its not set to constant 100% but it will ramp up to it and hold it there for 30sec or so

OriginalUserName · Jul 2, 2018

roberthu526 said:
For a 40B you will regret it if you with gyre. Even with the 230’s set to the lowest intensity, your LPS will likely be blown away. I use the 240’s on a 5 ft tank set to 30% for LPS.

For the 230 maybe, but a 1k will work fine. I have the 1k and 2 jebao SW-2s on my 29 biocube (and a koralia 450 I run a few hours a day) and with some sheltered rockwork areas my hammer and frogspawn are doing ok.

User1 · Jul 2, 2018

So...you need to first consider future upgrades - if any - and their respected size. I think if you consider this has part of the equation it may help you decide which to gyre you end up with. Like noted above the gyres push a lot of water especially if you start with the XF250 line. I have a 54" wide 30" tall tank and the pair I have can't run more than 40% on a good day due to the LPS being ripped apart. SPS tank it wouldn't be a issue but mixed reef forget it.

Now having said that I do have a pair, and they are nice, but the controller isn't the most configurable thing on the planet. Once you understand how it works it isn't bad to navigate through but it still isn't flexible say compared to being wired to a Apex or Reef Angel type controller. In my 40 breeder I had more control and better flow with my Reef Angel controller and a pair of RW-8's. Simple things like finer time stamps to act upon, more default wave patterns, ability to copy and paste configurations, etc. There is a module you can buy with some support but it is an additional cost - the RW's and RA cables only and cheap. Not bashing the Maxspect Gyre's because they do move water and have some very unique flow options with the paddle configurations. That is slick. Still some simple stuff I would have done differently but maybe just me.

Note: I did try and put my XF250 in my 40 breeder and it just didn't work out very well. End of the day it was too low and back to the controller limitations there isn't a 0 - 100 scale on settings - 5 or 10 increments only...

Kyl · Jul 2, 2018

FWIW you can remove one of the paddles on the XF230's if the flow is just too much. That said, yes, even then they move a LOT of water.

kecked · Jul 2, 2018

I started with the max gyre original version in a 29g tank and it worked very well. I bought the newer version for my 65g tank and put two of them in there to get the back and forth motion. They work great. At first the new generation pumps where very noisy and annoying. Over a few months they worked themselves in and are now silent. I only run them at like 10-30% ever. Of full they do whirl. Could make mashed potatoes on full.

DarkSky · Jul 2, 2018

I have two MP40s, an older XF130 and now a newer XF280.

The gyres seem to make more noise at lower RPMs for me - 20-30% and the whine is audible enough to have my wife ask "what is that humming noise" as we're sitting in the downstairs living room - though it is still quiet, as the two gyres are the only things making noise in that room; the rest of the tank's equipment is in a separate fish room.

The MP40s also make some noise, they're the quiet drive versions, but they seem to make more noise at higher RPM, which increases linearly.

Both pumps move water, so you'd be happy with either choice.

ruth howard · Jul 2, 2018

I have a Maxspect XF150. I bought it new in November 2015 and put it in my new Reefer 350 tank in January 2016. It quit working about 2 weeks ago. It is clean, but I think water is getting through the power cord. (I submitted a ticket with Maxspect 3 days ago, but haven't heard back). I was happy with the flow compared to the 2 cheap power heads I have in the tank at this time. I have ordered the IceCap 3K to replace the Maxspect. I did enjoy the flow of the Maxspect and I hope I am going to be happy with the IceCap. Personally, I feel that a power head or gyre that costs $270 should last longer than 2.5 years. I don't mind spending good, hard earned money on something, but I won't go the Maxspect route again if that is all the longer I will be able to use it. I haven't even been able to find a replacement motor for my first generation gyre. Other than reliability, I loved the Maxspect gyre.