What powerheads do you use and recommend or not recommend?

[wdavid]

Since I only hear about vortechs and gyres 90% of the time figured I'd ask around. What does everyone use? What are the up and down sides of that pump? Is it quiet? How's the customer service? Etc.

 

[Idaho-reefer]

Started with an ice cap gyre got a deal on two maxspect and the difference is noticeable. Icecap was noisy but not a dealbreaker. Maxspect push more water and no noticeable noise. I have had jaebo pumps too and those were good for the $$.

Looking at the differences between how icecap and maxspect build their gyres is east to see why the maxspect outperforms. Icecap just skimps on a few things like bushings and hit the magnet attaches to the pump. Vortechs were not something I would consider after seeing folks have problems with the dry side flying off the tank.

 

[mrtian97]

I agree with Jebao

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've used a lot of Jebao wavemakers and they are OK. Just be prepared for one failing every once and a while, it happens. Probably less now than their earlier versions, but it still happens.

I tried the Current wavemakers after a friend got a pair (one controller can run 3 heads in different modes). I was very hesitant since I hate the way they market their weak led fixtures (good for very shallow tanks, very weak for 20" or deeper). But they looked OK and the price is very reasonable so I tried a pair and they have worked very well for close to 2 years now. A month ago I dropped some water on the remote and it died. It was well out of warranty. I asked Current how much a new one would be and they sent me a replacement for free! Now that's good customer service.

https://current-usa.com/pumps/eflux-wave-pumps/

 

[JRAD]

I like the icecap for a smaller tank. It is quiet and the controller is easy to use. I was not a fan of the maxspect controller. Had to get out the manual any time I wanted to change settings. For regular power head/pumps the coralia pumps don’t break the bank and are quiet. Tunzes are quiet but on the expensive side. I love the VorTech controller but can never seem to keep an mp10 or 40 quiet long term!

 

[pecan2phat]

For larger tanks (6 feet +), I use the Maxspect Gyres, medium tanks (3~4 feet) I use Vortech MP40s, smaller tanks (2 feet -) I use Vortech MP10s.
Have used these other controllable pumps and eventually ended up in the closets: 1st gen Jebaos, Tunzes.

 

[miPapareef]

I have two Tunze Nanostream 6055 and one Maxspect xf230 in a 75 gallon.

I really like the Tunze. They’re quiet, reliable, don’t loose as much flow or get dirty as easy, and come in many sizes.

The maxspect has great flow but it’s significantly louder and needs cleaning often.

 

[pecan2phat]

Agree about the Gyres that they need more maintenance then the Vortech. I also like my Vortech because I can do this in a nem tank:

 

[64Ivy]

Long time Tunze fan here.

 

[Ryanbrs Verified Sponsor]

My 2 cents

Jebao - when lowest cost is a priority

Gyre - when strong “rotating currents” are a priority. They also mount high with minimal visual footprint and cords in the tank.

Vortech - when no cords and smallest footprint in the tank is the priority. The only option where there are zero cords in or out of the tank when mounted on the back. Also the easiest to maintenance because you only need to clean the wet side and no cord to reroute.

Tunze - when aiming them is a priority

For me I like the flow from the Gyre the best but the easy maintenance and aesthetics of the Vortech almost always get me.

 

[wdavid]

I agree with Jebao

Which jebao? I see the PP, RW, and SW so I wasn't sure what all the differences were. And I think I saw that they can sync with the apex, so that's a plus for me

 

[ReefWithCare]

I would go with any of the pumps that can connect to a ready made ecotech, icecap, Tunze or Jabeo battery backup/hookup.

This would include EcoTech, Jabeo, Tunze.

I like my CM EFlux wave maker, but because the current available battery backups aren’t compatible with them I cannot recommend them. You end up spending either more money or time getting a backup solution. Until CM comes out with their own battery backup solution - I don’t recommend them. The only ready made solution is a UPC and you will spend more on one and they will not match the runtimes of icecap and Jabeo unless you get a higher end UPC

 

[wdavid]

I've used a lot of Jebao wavemakers and they are OK. Just be prepared for one failing every once and a while, it happens. Probably less now than their earlier versions, but it still happens.

I tried the Current wavemakers after a friend got a pair (one controller can run 3 heads in different modes). I was very hesitant since I hate the way they market their weak led fixtures (good for very shallow tanks, very weak for 20" or deeper). But they looked OK and the price is very reasonable so I tried a pair and they have worked very well for close to 2 years now. A month ago I dropped some water on the remote and it died. It was well out of warranty. I asked Current how much a new one would be and they sent me a replacement for free! Now that's good customer service.

https://current-usa.com/pumps/eflux-wave-pumps/

How quiet are the jebaos? I was looking at the SW cause it's apex controllable but I see a ton of models and it's confusing.

 

[Rakie]

I recommend Tunze. And I don't recommend anything else. Gyres are okay if you have a long tank to let the flow pattern develop.

 

[Ryanbrs Verified Sponsor]

I would go with any of the pumps that can connect to a ready made ecotech, icecap, Tunze or Jabeo battery backup/hookup.

This would include EcoTech, Jabeo, Tunze.

I like my CM EFlux wave maker, but because the current available battery backups aren’t compatible with them I cannot recommend them. You end up spending either more money or time getting a backup solution. Until CM comes out with their own battery backup solution - I don’t recommend them. The only ready made solution is a UPC and you will spend more on one and they will not match the runtimes of icecap and Jabeo unless you get a higher end UPC

/agree . There are 30+ reefers here and none of us have run into a power outage where keeping a powerhead running for gas exchange wasn’t an adequate solution until the power came back on. If I could only have one I’d take an automatic battery backup over a manual start generator in almost every case. I’d only select the generator if I was in an area where long term outages are a common occurrence.

Also agree on the UPS. Most people who time the actual run time of a standard computer UPS are also often pretty disappointed . They are very often not super efficient at running a 10w pump because they are designed to run a 500-1000w computer for 10-20 minutes while you power it down. We are lookin for 8-24 hour run times.

 

[wdavid]

/agree . There are 30+ reefers here and none of us have run into a power outage where keeping a powerhead running for gas exchange wasn’t an adequate solution until the power came back on. If I could only have one I’d take an automatic battery backup over a manual start generator in almost every case. I’d only select the generator if I was in an area where long term outages are a common occurrence.

Also agree on the UPS. Most people who time the actual run time of a standard computer UPS are also often pretty disappointed . They are very often not super efficient at running a 10w pump because they are designed to run a 500-1000w computer for 10-20 minutes while you power it down. We are lookin for 8-24 hour run times.

My current powerheads (2 mp10s) have an ecotech battery attached to them in case a power goes out. I have them to run at 50% during a power outtage and it's lasted through the last 3 I had, worth my money for sure.

 

[Ron Reefman]

How quiet are the jebaos? I was looking at the SW cause it's apex controllable but I see a ton of models and it's confusing.

I think the Jebaos are as quiet as any wavemaker, and if you are willing to buy a spare for when one fails, they are OK pumps. After all they are half the price of most pumps and not even a quarter the cost of a Vortec so buying a spare shouldn't be a big deal. But some people just can't deal with having anything fail, and that is their prerogative.

 

[ca1ore]

Lots of choices, and most do what they are built to do. I've used many of them:

1. Tunze - the endurance champ. Almost indestructible and plenty of flow. Essentially silent.
2. Vortech - currently my favored flow pumps. A little trickier to use, but enduring if you do so correctly. External motor means some noise.
3. Apex WAV - a little temperamental, with a tendency to short out. Awesome flow though, integrated with their controller, and essentially silent (though vibration in the cords can buzz).
4. Sicce voyager - pretty basic flow pump, though reliable and silent
5. Jebao - mixed. Inferior, 'budget' quality. Flow is good and they are silent but not particularly long lived.

I've not used any of the gyre pumps.

 

[wdavid]

Lots of choices, and most do what they are built to do. I've used many of them:

1. Tunze - the endurance champ. Almost indestructible and plenty of flow. Essentially silent.
2. Vortech - currently my favored flow pumps. A little trickier to use, but enduring if you do so correctly. External motor means some noise.
3. Apex WAV - a little temperamental, with a tendency to short out. Awesome flow though, integrated with their controller, and essentially silent (though vibration in the cords can buzz).
4. Sicce voyager - pretty basic flow pump, though reliable and silent
5. Jebao - mixed. Inferior, 'budget' quality. Flow is good and they are silent but not particularly long lived.

I've not used any of the gyre pumps.

Yeah I'm looking between Tunze/Jebao. If I can get the Jebao with the amazon protection plan I've read a bit about then I think I'll go with that.

 

[James Mikell]

The jebao ow series is the latest series. I have 2 ow10 and they are dead silent running at 50% in my tank. Havent needed to run them past 50 for my needs.