Wavemaker/powerheads

[Mjp83]

Hi,

My Gyre 150 went out. It replaced two Jebao RW 8’s, which are great and worked for a good 2 years, but he WiFi sync during the alternating wave mode did not work well, as they would get off cycle. Otherwise I and my corals were super happy with them.
The gyre had great coverage, but my corals actually prefer the one working RW8 currently acting as my backup!
So I am back at looking at powerheads:
New Jebao PP8 (2), but add aqua link for each pump, to ensure true sync $200
Coral Box QP-9 (2), upgraded Jebao??, but WiFi sync still questionable, $180
Current USA eFlux 1,050 gph (2), $205, has cords for true sync, and WiFi connection.
These seem to have the lowest flow rating... and I didn’t see many reviews of them.
Also ran across aquamedics, need to check these out.
BTW, 125 mixed reef, 6’ long, Jebao rw8’s ran at 30%, Gyre at 50 with one B cage for reverse mode.
I thought about buying a Gyre 250, and use it opposite my 150, hoping it’s only my controller that died.
And no, I am not spending $300 ea on MP’s!

 

[cilyjr]

I had heard they straightened out the sync trouble. If you use a neptune apex you could get this. It insures sync works. Programing is exactly like one would do for a tunze pump.

I used jebao for years in this configuration and it worked fine.

 

[mcarroll]

Tunze

 

[Dr.Xipoles]

If youre on a budget and dont care about all the bells and whistles of a wavemaker i would recommend a random flow generator by VCA with a closed loop pump.

 

[Mjp83]

The closest Tunze I found is the turbella 695, and its 230 each.

Anyone use the Current USA eflux pumps?

 

[Mjp83]

If youre on a budget and dont care about all the bells and whistles of a wavemaker i would recommend a random flow generator by VCA with a closed loop pump.

My tank is older, and actually has two bulkhead fittings in the rear wall for a circulation system, but I have been spoiled by the ease of the powerheads and the control they provide.

 

[mlb75]

If the tank and corals like the Jebao's then it seems like an easy answer, go with them... The Tunze are definitely more money but are very nice units that will run for years and years and if there's ever an issue they stand behind them. I hate to say it but for a 125 I'd suggest 2 6105's vs the 6095's but you seem to be getting away with less flow than I would have thought so maybe the nano's would be ok. From everything I can find the Jebao's are just cheaper knockoffs of the Tunze, not that it's a bad thing you just hear of a lot of failures with the Jabao's and not the Tunze.

The Random Flow Generator's look interesting but I'd like to see them in a tank with a dye test to see what they actually do, my bet is not much but I could be wrong (my wife says I am all the time) and would be curious to find out.

 

[Neo Jeo]

Hi,

My Gyre 150 went out. It replaced two Jebao RW 8’s, which are great and worked for a good 2 years, but he WiFi sync during the alternating wave mode did not work well, as they would get off cycle. Otherwise I and my corals were super happy with them.
The gyre had great coverage, but my corals actually prefer the one working RW8 currently acting as my backup!
So I am back at looking at powerheads:
New Jebao PP8 (2), but add aqua link for each pump, to ensure true sync $200
Coral Box QP-9 (2), upgraded Jebao??, but WiFi sync still questionable, $180
Current USA eFlux 1,050 gph (2), $205, has cords for true sync, and WiFi connection.
These seem to have the lowest flow rating... and I didn’t see many reviews of them.
Also ran across aquamedics, need to check these out.
BTW, 125 mixed reef, 6’ long, Jebao rw8’s ran at 30%, Gyre at 50 with one B cage for reverse mode.
I thought about buying a Gyre 250, and use it opposite my 150, hoping it’s only my controller that died.
And no, I am not spending $300 ea on MP’s!

What one did you go with? Im looking to get Coral Box QP-9

 

[Mjp83]

What one did you go with? Im looking to get Coral Box QP-9

I got two of the newer Jebao SW8’s, and must say the new controllers work MUCH better than the old ones. They actually remain in sync, unlike the older style.
The SW8 is also a bit smaller than the RW8, but packs the same punch. I am working on buying digital timers to create tidal flows, and will have both powerheads on during a one hour period twice a day to really kick up some turbulence.

I did not go with the QP9’s due to their odd look. And I am not sure the controller is that much more advanced.

But......I sure miss the wide flow of the Maxspect Gyre, I think my corals just we’re longing for a less laminar flow, and more turbulence, I should have gone with two 230, on opposite sides of the tank, and had them mimic tidal flows. I ran my Gyre on reverse alt mode, but never on wave or pulse, and that’s what I should have done.....