Neptune WAV Pump: The Average Joe Review

reeffirstaid · Sep 24, 2015

I have been really impressed by the WAV so far. I did a review for Reefs and am still playing with the pump. Even more than impressed with the WAV itself, I have been impressed with how much the Neptune Apex has evolved over the years. As of today, it's easier than ever to have detailed control of your reef tank through Apex. Stuff like the WAV, PAR monitor, dosing, etc creates the ideal monitoring and control ecosystem for reef keepers. Something that is important to key in on, is that these products could be of great benefit to new reef keepers. The technical ability needed to install an Apex, and add on products such as WAV, has greatly decreased. I honestly believe I could easily talk my Dad or Mom through the process of setting up an Apex, especially since Fusion is a web app that doesn't need installed. It would be interesting to hear from reef keepers who don't have an Apex system, and understand what their concern is. Do they think it's too tough to set-up, too many wires, are they concerned about networking?

One thing I forgot to mention in my review, but played with last evening, is the feature that kicks the WAV off when it's removed from water, or if it falls from its bracket. I took a leap of faith knocking the WAV down in my tank - but by the time it hit the stand the propeller had stopped.

Terence · Oct 2, 2015

Here is a nice video done by the guys at Marine Depot -

Steve Maxwell · Dec 30, 2015

Any updates from those of you using these? I'd love to get them, but I think it would be a tad bit overkill for my 75G, even though they are adjustable. It would be nice to have them in case I ever upgrade, but I'm afraid they may not adjust down low enough for a 75G.

tcoyle · Feb 12, 2016

I am considering these on my 65G, any thoughts?

IronVulture · Feb 12, 2016

Just put a pair on my moms 4' 85 gallon they are really the best pumps I have used. Easy to program through apex at the highest I have them at %50 and %10 at the lowest they move through each mode and speed change flawlessly.

tcoyle · Feb 12, 2016

you think at lower speeds a 3' tank would be ok?

IronVulture · Feb 12, 2016

Sure do

henribrink · May 6, 2016

I am having problems with mine. Hoping Iron Vulture can figure it out for me. Not super happy right now.

Reefcowboy · May 22, 2016

I would not get the Wav for any tanks smaller than 4'... At 1% it still makes lots of flow.

jonmos75 · May 23, 2016

Reefcowboy said:
I would not get the Wav for any tanks smaller than 4'... At 1% it still makes lots of flow.

I have two WAV pumps running on my 65G tank 36x18x24 and I have set my WAVs intensity ranging from 5% -35%.

Plus I have no sand storms in my tank. I will say it did take me a bit of time to find the correct positioning of the WAVs to archive this intensity in my tank.

Cyclist · May 30, 2016

revhtree said:
Next I will post in tank photos and videos.

I'm curious as to why you never followed up on this? Could it be that the pumps did not work out?

BluewaterLa · Mar 20, 2017

Anyone care to update any long term use please.
How are the pumps working after having them for a year or more ?
Any issues with the pumps ?
Likes or dislikes ?

I ask because there seems to be a fair amount of negative or bad reviews on the WAV pumps.
However I do realize some people only give good reviews to what their favorite brand equipment happens to be instead of giving a fair assessment unbiased of brand.
And to add to that some things you read are contradictions to most real world reefers that have been around long enough to know that anything isn't "perfect"

So I would love to hear some feedback from this community since these pumps have been out for a good while now.
Thanks
Good luck and happy reefing
BluewaterLa /Mike

revhtree · Mar 20, 2017

BluewaterLa said:
Anyone care to update any long term use please.
How are the pumps working after having them for a year or more ?
Any issues with the pumps ?
Likes or dislikes ?

I ask because there seems to be a fair amount of negative or bad reviews on the WAV pumps.
However I do realize some people only give good reviews to what their favorite brand equipment happens to be instead of giving a fair assessment unbiased of brand.
And to add to that some things you read are contradictions to most real world reefers that have been around long enough to know that anything isn't "perfect"

So I would love to hear some feedback from this community since these pumps have been out for a good while now.
Thanks
Good luck and happy reefing
BluewaterLa /Mike

I removed mine because I moved but added them back to my 400 build a few weeks ago and they are seriously kicking butt! I'm not a fan of wires in the tank but I let them slide because the pros outweigh the cons!

Terence · Mar 20, 2017

revhtree said:
I'm not a fan of wires in the tank but I let them slide because the pros outweigh the cons!

One thing most people do not realize is that the WAV pumps can be put higher up the back than probably all other power heads of similar flow (and not suck air). This means the pump is up and out of view more, and there is literally only about 2" of wire. On my tank, you barely will ever even notice the center pump as it is so high up and blends into the black back of the tank. You really cannot even see the wire unless you are really looking for it.

revhtree · Mar 20, 2017

Terence said:
One thing most people do not realize is that the WAV pumps can be put higher up the back than probably all other power heads of similar flow (and not suck air). This means the pump is up and out of view more, and there is literally only about 2" of wire. On my tank, you barely will ever even notice the center pump as it is so high up and blends into the black back of the tank. You really cannot even see the wire unless you are really looking for it.

This is true and I am running my pumps up higher. BUT I do have them pushing some mucho water and it gets real tumultuous above the water line! I also love the fact that I can just pull the pump out of the water for maintenance and they auto cut off.

Highgrade · Mar 20, 2017

I love and hate mine. Had mine roughly a year.
Pros- controllability, flow and price.
Cons- Wires in water, noise ( vibrations of cords on glass) most of the flow patterns are noisy. I can hear the pumps across the house in other rooms if turned up over 50% and depending on the flow pattern. The space the profile takes up in the tank is more than my MP40s. The mount and magnets seem to slowly shift or move on 12mm thick glass. So constant realignment is needed. Tried adjusting the magnets and cleaning both sides. Still same issue. Seems the movement is related to the vibration created by the pumps.

Terence · Mar 20, 2017

Just point them down about 3-5 degrees and and you usually are good to go. They will move a TON of water for sure. The best part is connecting them to the new Apex - three pumps - three wires - TONS of flow!

Terence · Mar 20, 2017

Highgrade said:
The mount and magnets seem to slowly shift or move on 12mm thick glass. So constant realignment is needed. Tried adjusting the magnets and cleaning both sides. Still same issue. Seems the movement is related to the vibration created by the pumps.

This is a strange one for me - never heard this before - I run mine in all kinds of modes and I have 3/4" glass - they have never moved. These are some of the strongest magnets out there on powerheads.

Highgrade · Mar 20, 2017

Terence said:
Just point them down about 3-5 degrees and and you usually are good to go. They will move a TON of water for sure. The best part is connecting them to the new Apex - three pumps - three wires - TONS of flow!

@Terence I have the Apex gold running the WAVs. Does the 1 link module still have power issues if I wanted to add a 3rd pump?

Highgrade · Mar 20, 2017

Terence said:
This is a strange one for me - never heard this before - I run mine in all kinds of modes and I have 3/4" glass - they have never moved. These are some of the strongest magnets out there on powerheads.

Possibly the black vinyl on the back of the tank?