Wave maker endurance cage match. 2 year results

[Newb73]

In 2015 I bought a Vortech MP40, 2x Neptune Wavs, 2x jaebo rw4s, 2x jaebo RW8s and a Maxspeck Gyre.

I ran them side by side in similar tanks under similar water and with similar conditions.

Unfortunately I can't say much about the maxspect gyre as it only ran a few months. I contacted their customer service and got a vague email about replacing parts, which I did using their videos and it still wouldn't work. They never offered to honor their warranty. It is basically in near brand new condition, in its original box in non working order. I consider it a $299 paper weight and will never do buisness with maxspect or red sea again...once my elite skimmers Diablo pump dies..i am done w them.

Next to die was no surprise, a jaebo RW 4 died around month 15. I expected as much.

Now for the suprise....one of my Neptune wav appears to have died around year 2, meaning in a shocking upset.....both of the jaebo RW8s and one RW4 outlived a WAVE!

EVEN more shocking, I purposefully neglected the RW8s, letting them run dirty and nearly clogged w bubble algae just as a test....yet they run fine.

The dead wav on the other hand....was much better maintained in my main display and never ran above 70% power.

I shudder at the thought of running my main display on jaebos but it looks like the results are in.

From now own I'll run only vortechs in my main display. As you know wetsides are only $75, and you can repair them piecemeal as they are modular....but I've done nothing other than a wetside vinegar bath so far.

I'll run jaebo RW8s or RW15s in my other tanks.

I have disassembled the wav and will attempt a repair, impeller is fine as is fins so most likely the motor is gone.

I will update if I find out more.

Surprise number 2 are my main pumps...deep blue triton pond pumps which no one uses!!

In 5 years I've had 3, one needed a new impeller after 3 years..the other two are only 2 years old.

I never clean them....impellers are cheap and so are the pumps...and they just run. I actually have a spare one now.

Also no issues with my aquamaxx sicce pump after 2 years either....if I get 3 years out of it in happy as I run filter socks and have very clean Sump, but never service the skimmer pump (it's a nightmare to get out so if buy a new one every 3 years before ripping everything out every 6 months).

YMMV

 

[Flippers4pups]

RW 15's and a RW 8 here just over three years and still ticking.

 

[joejoe1055]

RW 15's and a RW 8 here just over three years and still ticking.

same for me on my rw-15s

 

[Newb73]

Update.

After servicing the Wav runs.

The issue now is the telemetry didn't work as advertised. Apex fusion said pump was working fine, no errors, etc even though it was not running (which is why I thought motor failed rather than being clogged...).

At any rate...

Average costs so far:

WAV $100 per year and declining.
Vortech: $150 per year and declining
Rw4: $20 per year
RW15: $50 per year and declining
Maxspect gyre: $600 per year (barely ran 6 months).

 

[Radman73]

In 2015 I bought a Vortech MP40, 2x Neptune Wavs, 2x jaebo rw4s, 2x jaebo RW8s and a Maxspeck Gyre.

I ran them side by side in similar tanks under similar water and with similar conditions.

Unfortunately I can't say much about the maxspect gyre as it only ran a few months. I contacted their customer service and got a vague email about replacing parts, which I did using their videos and it still wouldn't work. They never offered to honor their warranty. It is basically in near brand new condition, in its original box in non working order. I consider it a $299 paper weight and will never do buisness with maxspect or red sea again...once my elite skimmers Diablo pump dies..i am done w them.

Next to die was no surprise, a jaebo RW 4 died around month 15. I expected as much.

Now for the suprise....one of my Neptune wav appears to have died around year 2, meaning in a shocking upset.....both of the jaebo RW8s and one RW4 outlived a WAVE!

EVEN more shocking, I purposefully neglected the RW8s, letting them run dirty and nearly clogged w bubble algae just as a test....yet they run fine.

The dead wav on the other hand....was much better maintained in my main display and never ran above 70% power.

I shudder at the thought of running my main display on jaebos but it looks like the results are in.

From now own I'll run only vortechs in my main display. As you know wetsides are only $75, and you can repair them piecemeal as they are modular....but I've done nothing other than a wetside vinegar bath so far.

I'll run jaebo RW8s or RW15s in my other tanks.

I have disassembled the wav and will attempt a repair, impeller is fine as is fins so most likely the motor is gone.

I will update if I find out more.

Surprise number 2 are my main pumps...deep blue triton pond pumps which no one uses!!

In 5 years I've had 3, one needed a new impeller after 3 years..the other two are only 2 years old.

I never clean them....impellers are cheap and so are the pumps...and they just run. I actually have a spare one now.

Also no issues with my aquamaxx sicce pump after 2 years either....if I get 3 years out of it in happy as I run filter socks and have very clean Sump, but never service the skimmer pump (it's a nightmare to get out so if buy a new one every 3 years before ripping everything out every 6 months).

YMMV

If you mean piecemeal them together by buying wet side parts, you can't do that anymore. They used to sell a repair kit but only sell a whole new wet side now. Still good pumps, but I've soured on them a bit.

 

[Newb73]

If you mean piecemeal them together by buying wet side parts, you can't do that anymore. They used to sell a repair kit but only sell a whole new wet side now. Still good pumps, but I've soured on them a bit.

True, but you can still buy an entire Wetside for $75.

Assuming the Wetside is what kills most pumps....$75 for a Werside still beats $199 for a whole new Wav???

 

[Radman73]

True, but you can still buy an entire Wetside for $75.

Assuming the Wetside is what kills most pumps....$75 for a Werside still beats $199 for a whole new Wav???

Correct. But I'd argue that wet sides should last the life of the pump and there are starting to be too many cases where that doesn't pan out. And I'm not talking about owners doing something stupid and breaking them, but rather they seem to wear out too quickly. In my case, it was 1 year. I still like them, but I used to love them. I had a couple MP10's go years without any operational or noise concerns.

 

[Mopartech]

In 2015 I bought a Vortech MP40, 2x Neptune Wavs, 2x jaebo rw4s, 2x jaebo RW8s and a Maxspeck Gyre.

I ran them side by side in similar tanks under similar water and with similar conditions.

Unfortunately I can't say much about the maxspect gyre as it only ran a few months. I contacted their customer service and got a vague email about replacing parts, which I did using their videos and it still wouldn't work. They never offered to honor their warranty. It is basically in near brand new condition, in its original box in non working order. I consider it a $299 paper weight and will never do buisness with maxspect or red sea again...once my elite skimmers Diablo pump dies..i am done w them.

Had the same problem with my Maxspect gyre. Motor crapped out after 3 months back in 2015 also. I just opened a help ticket on CoralVue. After a few emails going back and forth troubleshooting and a wrong part, they sent me a new motor and it has been working well ever since. It was probably the motor that died. I heard they had problems with saltwater getting inside motor and shorting it out or something to that effect.

 

[Newb73]

Correct. But I'd argue that wet sides should last the life of the pump and there are starting to be too many cases where that doesn't pan out. And I'm not talking about owners doing something stupid and breaking them, but rather they seem to wear out too quickly. In my case, it was 1 year. I still like them, but I used to love them. I had a couple MP10's go years without any operational or noise concerns.

Anything under $75 a year service cost life and I'll buy on features.

No wires and a broad flow and a convenient back up battery), vs the ability to aim a longer reaching narrow flow.

On features alone I'd end up with a 1-2 wavs and a Vortech with 2x RW8s on back (based on my aquadcaping).

Anything over $100 a year gets eliminated as poor quality for the money...flow and features won't help it survive the cut.

 

[Big G]

Great post. Thanks for the info.

 

[Lowell Lemon]

Just curious if you have ever tried Tunze in your tanks?

 

[Newb73]

Just curious if you have ever tried Tunze in your tanks?

I have both of the Tune ATO kits.

The ato nano went bad after about 2 years and got replaced with a Neptune utility pump on a float switch combo.

The full size tunze ATO is still going strong.

I hear their wave makers and pumps are bullet proof.

I'd really like to add a wavebox to my system as something different (since the gyre was a bust)....but for what ever reason, wave boxes aren't popular???

 

[Antics]

I have multiple vortechs pushing 6 or 7 years working absolutely fine with original wet sides. Say what you want about price but I think Ecotech reliability specific to their Vortechs is incredible.

 

[Newb73]

I have multiple vortechs pushing 6 or 7 years working absolutely fine with original wet sides. Say what you want about price but I think Ecotech reliability specific to their Vortechs is incredible.

At 6 or 7 years they are costing less than Jaebo.

If I find that trend holds out for me...over the wavs......i might end up with a tank full of Vortech one day.

Time will tell.

 

[scardall]

Anything under $75 a year service cost life and I'll buy on features.

No wires and a broad flow and a convenient back up battery), vs the ability to aim a longer reaching narrow flow.

On features alone I'd end up with a 1-2 wavs and a Vortech with 2x RW8s on back (based on my aquadcaping).

Anything over $100 a year gets eliminated as poor quality for the money...flow and features won't help it survive the cut.

Thanks for your posting. It has opened up a new way of looking at power heads. For cost and features Jabao RW-8's seem to be a more cost effective way to go. ( <$75 on Amazon shipping incuded ) $199 for one WAV seems a waste of money as X2 RW-8 for less money It look like some have good luck with vortech and others do not. (other pumps included) I noticed when people are being honest about Jabao failing it is mostly the RW4's that fail not the RW8's etc. PLUS now I also it personal preferences over Data is in play. I know that I have that issue from time to time. For me I'm poor, so I will stick with Jabao and Tunze. PS: My Tunze nano stream is 3 years old and works well, with marginal maintance. Good Luck All. Thanks Again Newb73

 

[Newb73]

Thanks for your posting. It has opened up a new way of looking at power heads. For cost and features Jabao RW-8's seem to be a more cost effective way to go. ( <$75 on Amazon shipping incuded ) $199 for one WAV seems a waste of money as X2 RW-8 for less money It look like some have good luck with vortech and others do not. (other pumps included) I noticed when people are being honest about Jabao failing it is mostly the RW4's that fail not the RW8's etc. PLUS now I also it personal preferences over Data is in play. I know that I have that issue from time to time. For me I'm poor, so I will stick with Jabao and Tunze. PS: My Tunze nano stream is 3 years old and works well, with marginal maintance. Good Luck All. Thanks Again Newb73

I am just as suprised as you.

This doesn't take controllability into account as you can run variable programs on wav, however I rigged up my RW4s with an apex adapter and was able to program my own....the process is do-able and similar to setting up a tunze.

So how much is "plug and play needing only a single outlet" worth?

I guess figuring time and materials those features plus monitoring in fusion is worth a good $50-$75 over base price.

Truly the wav is a bit easier to set up than a Vortech with wxm module, and the wav won't lose connection (though my Vortech has never lost its wireless signal either).

What you need is for Neptune to make a smaller 1,000 to 2,000 gph mini wav for around $100 -$125.

If they made them, I would run them on the back or maybe 2x2 instead of 1x1 on the ends.

For my main display it's worth it but for QT, frag, and smaller set ups it probably isn't.

 

[scardall]

I am just as suprised as you.

This doesn't take controllability into account as you can run variable programs on wav, however I rigged up my RW4s with an apex adapter and was able to program my own....the process is do-able and similar to setting up a tunze.

So how much is "plug and play needing only a single outlet" worth?

I guess figuring time and materials those features plus monitoring in fusion is worth a good $50-$75 over base price.

Truly the wav is a bit easier to set up than a Vortech with wxm module, and the wav won't lose connection (though my Vortech has never lost its wireless signal either).

What you need is for Neptune to make a smaller 1,000 to 2,000 gph mini wav for around $100 -$125.

If they made them, I would run them on the back or maybe 2x2 instead of 1x1 on the ends.

For my main display it's worth it but for QT, frag, and smaller set ups it probably isn't.

Some more cool idea's. I'm an old school dog who has enter newer tech 4 years ago. I have a Tsunami wave maker that is 20+ years old and still in service today. ( just turns PH's on and off with a pre-programed pattern. You can vary timing/Duration of the on/off function. Plus it has a Feed function for your Return pump. ) PS: That pump is as old 20+ years too (External Gen-X) These 2 old Dogs are still kicking Butt. One Day I'll get an Apex hopefully.