Mp10 or 2 Jebao PP4-RW4 w/Apex link

DVaDeR77 · Jul 30, 2016

Been thinking about getting rid of my mp10 and getting 2 Jebao PP4s w/an apex module. Read good things about them. My tank is a Deep Blue Edge 57. It's 38 x 18 x 20 same foot print as a 40 breeder just taller. What are opinions from users who use them and non users who know power heads and is this a good move to make. Plan is to put each one on the back wall with over flow being in the middle.

Thanks in advance:

Lariat · Jul 30, 2016

I had jebao pp15 pumps one failed in 3 months the other failed a month later I'm switching to tunze which I believe you can connect to an apex and are more reliable

mcarroll · Jul 31, 2016

I would also recommend considering Tunze instead. Even a simple pair of Nanostream 6045's ($150 for the pair) will flow that tank nicely....and leave you some budget to add a pump or two down the road when you see fit. A set of four 6045's would be nearly unstoppable in your tank. Of course Tunze has controllable options that rock too, like the 6040, 9055 and 6095.

But don't make the mistake of assuming controllability is a necessity. It is not.

I didn't "upgrade" to controllable pumps until my reef was already 5 or 6 years grown in....6045's took me all the way in a 36x18x18 tank and my 36x12x19H tank.

Waboss · Jul 31, 2016

I've had MP10's, Tunze 6055's, a Gyre XF-130, and RW-4's/PP4's. I'm currently running 1 RW-4 and 1 PP-4 specifically due to value per dollar (for me) and adjust-ability. My tank is just a 24x20x20 so any of these is a fair amount of flow in my tank.

For me, I'd probably still be running the Tunze's if they weren't so large and gaudy looking in my tank. I'd pick either the Tunze or Jebao over an MP10 just because you can angle the flow and, at least for me, that's pretty important. I also run both PH's on the back wall with an overflow in the middle. You can control either with your Apex if you have the adapters.

reeferfoxx · Jul 31, 2016

Out of 4 RW and 1 PP pump, one RW failed on me. I lost a whole $50. Darn.

najer · Jul 31, 2016

Whichever pumps that are not mp pumps, as above if you get pumps that you can direct / aim you generally get a more random flow, I run an rw 8 and rw 4 in 300 litres, kind of aimed at each other but at an angle so they deflect.
Clean them regularly, they do slow a bit quicker than the more expensive pumps.

Tbabcock · Jul 31, 2016

+1 on. The PP4's. I set my tank up with two facing each other and never have had a problem but i run them on a twin controller to save space and the adjustability is better the whats on my reef keeper not to mention the $$$ saved for all the mods you need.

DVaDeR77 · Jul 31, 2016

Thinking I may try them out sell what I got to buy them and the module. As far as Tunze goes I agree they are bulky and awful looking but they do the job as well. Thanks for the input.

mcarroll · Jul 31, 2016

I honestly don't understand the bulky comments, but that's the way aesthetics are I suppose. Nanostreams are about 2.7" round and unlike most of the competition they don't have to be mounted in plain view.

By the same token Mp's stick out ugly inside the tank and outside the tank - obtrusively hanging off the middle of the glass pane just waiting to get bumped off or vibrate off. The 10 is the only model that's smaller. On a less-aesthetic front, the price on mp's is uniformly large and by comparison they still aren't as durable and don't move as much water.

I would suggest that the reason for the Stream's ball shape is all-function – the pump is the 360° mount. If you don't count that, you're selling the pump and your experience short.

In case it helps, Tunze's are the only pump that can actually be hidden completely from view. For less than the price of a pump, they sell a ceramic live rock look alike that will mount their Stream or Nano stream pumps inside. Total camouflage.

DVaDeR77 · Aug 11, 2016

Picked up 2 PP4 Jebao pumps and must say I'm very happy. Small and powerful and work great. Only got 1 set up so far and will do the second 1 later tonight.

reeferfoxx · Aug 11, 2016

Just to add, the 1 RW pump that failed on me was stuffed into a bucket with old pumps and gear from my freshwater setups. Out of curiosity, i couldn't remember if the pump completely failed or not? So, i decided to plug it back in and to my surprise, it worked! But only for 6 hours lol.

I believe a lot of failed RW pumps only fail, due to improper water proofing. I am not sure if there is a fix. But if anyone with technical abilities could look into it more, maybe we can salvage our old RW or PP pumps? Just a thought.

Saltine · Aug 11, 2016

Love my jebao pumps!! Have a DC return and RW-4 or 8, don't remember which but going on a year on the return and over a year on the RW. No complaints. I did have to disassemble the RW for a cleaning once recently since it stopped spinning completely, I'm wondering if others thought their pump was bad when this happened?

reeferfoxx · Aug 11, 2016

Saltine said:
Love my jebao pumps!! Have a DC return and RW-4 or 8, don't remember which but going on a year on the return and over a year on the RW. No complaints. I did have to disassemble the RW for a cleaning once recently since it stopped spinning completely, I'm wondering if others thought their pump was bad when this happened?

Difficult to say? If a pump is dirty, one would think it would be noticeable?

Saltine · Aug 11, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
Just to add, the 1 RW pump that failed on me was stuffed into a bucket with old pumps and gear from my freshwater setups. Out of curiosity, i couldn't remember if the pump completely failed or not? So, i decided to plug it back in and to my surprise, it worked! But only for 6 hours lol.

I believe a lot of failed RW pumps only fail, due to improper water proofing. I am not sure if there is a fix. But if anyone with technical abilities could look into it more, maybe we can salvage our old RW or PP pumps? Just a thought.

I had the same issue with my RW when it stopped working... I was using it to mix my saltwater at one point and let it dry out often. I just disassembled it and on the spinning part (I'm not sure what it's called) it had some built up residue, just cleaned it and now it works like a champ again!

Saltine · Aug 11, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
Difficult to say? If a pump is dirty, one would think it would be noticeable?

This was build up inside the pump itself, couldn't see it.

reeferfoxx · Aug 11, 2016

Saltine said:
This was build up inside the pump itself, couldn't see it.

How do you take the pump apart without stripping the water proof casing?

Saltine · Aug 11, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
How do you take the pump apart without stripping the water proof casing?

I saw this, which had me go into my pump. I didn't have to replace anything with air tubing like this guy did, just cleaned the rotating drum.

PS to get the grate off it just twists, I almost broke it since this guy didn't show it ha.

Salt

reeferfoxx · Aug 11, 2016

Saltine said:
I saw this, which had me go into my pump. I didn't have to replace anything with air tubing like this guy did, just cleaned the rotating drum.

PS to get the grate off it just twists, I almost broke it since this guy didn't show it ha.

Salt

That is an RW 8 or larger. Its built differently from the RW 4 and he's not addressing what i am refering to.

Saltine · Aug 11, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
That is an RW 8 or larger. Its built differently from the RW 4 and he's not addressing what i am refering to.

Can you not remove the grate? All I did was remove the grate, slide out the blade assembly, clean it, and it spun again.

reeferfoxx · Aug 11, 2016

Saltine said:
Can you not remove the grate? All I did was remove the grate, slide out the blade assembly, clean it, and it spun again.

Yeah, the impeller is the obvious go to in cases of cleaning. But what im talking about is what shrouds the magnetic impeller. The copper motor within the unit. In cases where cleaning isn't the problem, it where things get wet from improper water proofing.