Maxspect vs. Icecap Gyres.

[SeaJay]

Here is my current shopping cart. Having a hard time deciding which one to delete.

Those of you who have experience with these, please chime in. I've seen positive feedback on both of these, but I'd like to know how they compare to each other. Sound? App/Controllability? Reliability? Etc. I'm downgrading my two Sicce x-streams to fuge/QT duty in favor of something that moves a little more water & is controllable. One thing I can say about them is that they are dead silent. This is important to me since my tank is right behind my couch in the living room.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jimbo662]

Following...

 

[dank reefer]

The only negative thing I've heard about the new IceCap is that you can only control it via a mobile device. But then again, that might not be a negative to some.

 

[SeaJay]

The only negative thing I've heard about the new IceCap is that you can only control it via a mobile device. But then again, that might not be a negative to some.

My previous lights were that way. It won't bother me at all as long as the app is comprehensive and connectivity is reliable.

 

[SeaJay]

The only negative thing I've heard about the new IceCap is that you can only control it via a mobile device. But then again, that might not be a negative to some.

So, the Maxspects can be controlled via the app and/or on the controller itself?

 

[dank reefer]

So, the Maxspects can be controlled via the app and/or on the controller itself?

From what I have read, that is correct.

All of the Gyre 300 series pumps are compatible with the Maxspect Connect ICV6 control module so you can wirelessly control your pumps using the free Syna-G app from Maxspect. Any combination of pumps can be connected and controlled which means you can now operate a Gyre XF330 and an XF350 using the same control module all with a single power supply. This helps you to tailor the flow inside your aquarium perfectly to suite the needs of your corals without a ton of wires and bulky power supplies under your tank.
Superior Performance

 

[Biglurr54]

I can say that the Syna-G app is rough. its difficult to program what you want and not very intuitive. It works but its a pain. It was not worth getting the ICV6 to me. But you dont know if you dont try. I have no idea on Ice Cap. My first Ice Cap 3ks were great. I upgraded to the xf250s to get the additional flow.

 

[SeaJay]

I can say that the Syna-G app is rough. its difficult to program what you want and not very intuitive. It works but its a pain. It was not worth getting the ICV6 to me. But you dont know if you dont try. I have no idea on Ice Cap. My first Ice Cap 3ks were great. I upgraded to the xf250s to get the additional flow.

Oh, I was under the impression that the controller it comes with was wifi capable. I didn't realize that the ICV6 was an additional purchase that needed to be made and added in order to utilize the app features. Am I understanding this correctly?

 

[Biglurr54]

For Maxspect xf pumps, you need to buy the additional ICV6 Controller (Approximately $50) in order to use the App to control the pumps.

I dont know the deal with the new Ice Cap pumps. The 3ks I had were basic controllers with no connectivity options or availability.

 

[SeaJay]

For Maxspect xf pumps, you need to buy the additional ICV6 Controller (Approximately $50) in order to use the App to control the pumps.

A $50 controller isn't a deal breaker, but I sure would have been surprised had I ordered them without realizing that.

I dont know the deal with the new Ice Cap pumps. The 3ks I had were basic controllers with no connectivity options or availability.

"The IceCap Gyre is back and better than ever! The all-new IceCap 4K Gyre Flow Pump is not only more powerful than its predecessor, it is now WiFi controllable, allowing you to fine-tune your flow effortlessly and wirelessly from your mobile device. "

 

[DancingWind]

There is also the hydros waveengine - just add compatible icecap, maxspect pumps. its pricey but you can run upto 4 pums directly

 

[Kyl]

In terms of the icecap controller, it's functionality is pretty close to that of the maxspect in programming and flow ability. It's superior in some aspect as you can also influence operation via external 0-10v from a controller, though it is app only as noted.

 

[Kyl]

There is also the hydros waveengine - just add compatible icecap, maxspect pumps. its pricey but you can run upto 4 pums directly

The WE also has some extended programming functionality that is not on the icecap. I don't have both to directly compare, but for now there is a difference at least with the number of flow patterns available.

 

[CoralVue_Marketing]

Here is my current shopping cart. Having a hard time deciding which one to delete.

Those of you who have experience with these, please chime in. I've seen positive feedback on both of these, but I'd like to know how they compare to each other. Sound? App/Controllability? Reliability? Etc. I'm downgrading my two Sicce x-streams to fuge/QT duty in favor of something that moves a little more water & is controllable. One thing I can say about them is that they are dead silent. This is important to me since my tank is right behind my couch in the living room.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

The sold-separately Maxspect Connect (ICV6) is required to control the Maxspect pumps. If you have or are planning to use other smart Maxspect products, like the Aeraqua protein skimmer or Turbine Duo pumps, they can all be controlled from the same app.

The IceCap 4K pumps in that bundle come with the WiFi controller, so you're good to go there as far as mobile control. You can control other HYDROS products from the same app. As another member mentioned, there aren't any physical controls on the control box. It's all app-based. I've been using 2 x 2K pumps for a couple of months now and I've never had an issue connecting to the pumps once I was up and running.

Also brought up here as a possibility is using a WaveEngine if you're going to use more than 2 flow pumps or want to connect a return pump or skimmer pump to the same controller. This is my eventual plan. I have a couple of Gyres and a VarioS pump I'll run off the WaveEngine so they can all share a power supply.

My experience with the 2K pumps is if I really crank up the speed, I hear them humming a bit. Nothing crazy. What I hear more than the actual pumps is the water at the surface of the aquarium moving around. After experiementing with different presets and speeds, I've been running mine at a max of 36% and I don't hear them at all. If I turn them above 50%, water will occasionally drip over the front of my tank. Granted, I have them in a small 40-gallon aquarium and the real purpose in getting them is for a new tank that's a foot wider. I was just eager to try out the HYDROS app so I put them in my current tank!

 

[SeaJay]

The sold-separately Maxspect Connect (ICV6) is required to control the Maxspect pumps. If you have or are planning to use other smart Maxspect products, like the Aeraqua protein skimmer or Turbine Duo pumps, they can all be controlled from the same app.

The IceCap 4K pumps in that bundle come with the WiFi controller, so you're good to go there as far as mobile control. You can control other HYDROS products from the same app. As another member mentioned, there aren't any physical controls on the control box. It's all app-based. I've been using 2 x 2K pumps for a couple of months now and I've never had an issue connecting to the pumps once I was up and running.

Also brought up here as a possibility is using a WaveEngine if you're going to use more than 2 flow pumps or want to connect a return pump or skimmer pump to the same controller. This is my eventual plan. I have a couple of Gyres and a VarioS pump I'll run off the WaveEngine so they can all share a power supply.

My experience with the 2K pumps is if I really crank up the speed, I hear them humming a bit. Nothing crazy. What I hear more than the actual pumps is the water at the surface of the aquarium moving around. After experiementing with different presets and speeds, I've been running mine at a max of 36% and I don't hear them at all. If I turn them above 50%, water will occasionally drip over the front of my tank. Granted, I have them in a small 40-gallon aquarium and the real purpose in getting them is for a new tank that's a foot wider. I was just eager to try out the HYDROS app so I put them in my current tank!

Thanks for the input.

My tank is 72"x18"x25". It's too close to the wall to put anything on the back, the ends are limited by the overflows and the front is, well it's the front. I'm just not getting enough flow throughout the tank with my little Sicce X-streams. I feel like the narrow length of my tank would make it a good candidate for some gyres to improve overall water movement. I'm still open to other options, but I really think a couple of these will work good for me.

Also, wifi/app control isn't a 'must have'. If the functionality of the controller is comprehensive, then I don't need to be making adjustments while I'm away from the tank.

I'll probably end up with an Apex in the not so distant future too.

 

[CoralVue_Marketing]

Thanks for the input.

My tank is 72"x18"x25". It's too close to the wall to put anything on the back, the ends are limited by the overflows and the front is, well it's the front. I'm just not getting enough flow throughout the tank with my little Sicce X-streams. I feel like the narrow length of my tank would make it a good candidate for some gyres to improve overall water movement. I'm still open to other options, but I really think a couple of these will work good for me.

Also, wifi/app control isn't a 'must have'. If the functionality of the controller is comprehensive, then I don't need to be making adjustments while I'm away from the tank.

I'll probably end up with an Apex in the not so distant future too.

IceCap may be the way to go then because they have the 0-10V port you could use with the Apex.

 

[SeaJay]

Well I’m an idiot...

At some point I measured the space and thought I had 11” between the front glass and the overflow on the sides of my tank. Checked again yesterday and it’s barely 8”. Not sure how I got that wrong, but turns out I don’t have room for the gyres on the ends.

Thanks for the input though, hopefully it will help someone else.

 

[SeaJay]

The Icecap says it can be mounted vertically, which would give me more options. A couple quick searched reveal plenty of people mounting maxspects vertically as well. I guess I may reconsider after all.

Does the ICV6 replace the advanced controller, or is it in addition to? I was going to buy the bundle, but if the ICV6 controler replaces the standard controller it is more cost effective to forgo the advanced controller bundle and buy the pumps and ICV6 separately.

 

[a4edwin]

Aren’t the parts and controllers interchangeable being that they’re made by the same company?

 

[joseserrano]

you can mount either whatever direction you want. the ice caps are not as well build as the maxspects. the maxspects require less maintenance, because of the light being partial blocked by the flow clips on the top. The 330 are smaller than the 4k. I believe the 4k are the 350 size.