Gyre without cleaning?

J

jccaclimber

Member
Short version:
Is anyone out there running a Gyre (Maxspect/Icecap) without cleaning it? How is the noise, how is the durability?



Long version:
As my display (126"L, 34"D, 32"H) setup continues I'm noticing that I have nowhere near enough flow with an MP60 on each end. The water is barely moving in the middle half of the tank, and remains so when I shut off an MP60.

I've been happy with how much water the Gyre pumps move in other people's tanks, but am concerned about maintenance. There seem to be a lot of threads on here about how those pumps must be cleaned every 3-6 months. I love the fact that the MP60's can be installed and then ignored. If I do (I don't) decide to do an occasional cleaning the wet sides are easy to pop out, clean, and pop back in.

Fortunately or unfortunately I have permanent rockwork covering the back and all but the front 6" of the sides (gray in attached image). As a result, the only easy places to mount an MP60 are the sides right near the front. I don't mind the visual of this, but it does limit my placement options.

I've thought about putting a gyre in a front corner, or along the back center somewhere. Other options are to put my return in the middle (currently hidden in the back corner) or revive part of the closed loop system it was originally set up with (I'd rather not do this). I could also throw something like a sea swirl (or similar) on the return if I move it to the center.

So:
1) Add more MP60's (how many?)
2) Add wireless drivers, synch the MP60's
3) Get a Gyre (or two)
4) Other?
 

Attachments

  • top view.jpg
    top view.jpg
    27.3 KB · Views: 0
I use gyre xf150 as well as MP40wqd and MP60. The gyres are finicky and noisier. I like the form factor, but that is about it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I got 2 icecap 3k for 180gal. at 100% can be a bit noisy, but it moves water a lot, so im running at 60-80% max, and not too bad. cleaning once/2month
 
I would clean them. It will prevent a lot of issues - they are much more sensitive to fouling than propellor pumps.

I love my cross flows, but you need to look after them.
 
I clean my gyres every 2-3 months. There really does seem to be a drop in flow when they get dirty.
 
Almost 3 months with a new xf250 gyre and I just cleaned it. Seems quieter than brand new. Lots of parts, but the YouTube video helps a lot with reassembly. After doing it once, it seems pretty easy now. Think I could break down and put together in a total of 10 minutes, maybe less.
Never ran mp's, just power heads but really happy with the gyre. Getting another for Xmas to improve the custom cycles. With a good Black Friday price and some Amazon points paid about $70 (just the pump, no controller). Very hard to wait to use it!
 
I bought a 2nd set and swap them out when it comes cleaning time. Makes life much easier for me because I don't need to clean them right away, I can just take my time. Yes, the maintenance is much more of a PITA than other pumps, but as of right now, with what's available out there, IMO, they're the best when speaking about flow.
 
I've cleaned mine twice in about 2 years. I run them on the forward/backward setting. anything that gets sucked against the pump gets blown off at the next cycle. I havnt had any problems. Less maintenance IMO

I run them about 60%. As the coraline builds Ive been increasing the power to keep the flow the same. At about 80% power I clean them in vinegar, then have to lower the power because the flow is too much.
 
greengeco82 said:
I've cleaned mine twice in about 2 years. I run them on the forward/backward setting. anything that gets sucked against the pump gets blown off at the next cycle. I havnt had any problems. Less maintenance IMO

I run them about 60%. As the coraline builds Ive been increasing the power to keep the flow the same. At about 80% power I clean them in vinegar, then have to lower the power because the flow is too much.
Click to expand...

So that 60-80% ramp occurs over a year at which point you clean them?

Any reason not to just run them in a plastic shoebox (or stock pot, or whatever that's big enough) with a gallon of vinegar overnight? Would that work?
 
jccaclimber said:
So that 60-80% ramp occurs over a year at which point you clean them?

Any reason not to just run them in a plastic shoebox (or stock pot, or whatever that's big enough) with a gallon of vinegar overnight? Would that work?
Click to expand...

Pretty much. As the coraline grows they become less efficient requiring higher power for the same flow. I don't purposely do it this way. I'm just lazy. So far it has worked out.

I don't think running them in a shoebox would work. They would blow the vinegar right out. Even on the lowest setting they move a lot of water. I just soak one overnight, then brush/rinse. Then put it back and do the other the next night.
 
Yeah, I've tried cleaning them in a bucket by running them.....and it doesn't work. Even at the lowest setting. Moves too much water out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
WLachnit said:
Yeah, I've tried cleaning them in a bucket by running them.....and it doesn't work. Even at the lowest setting. Moves too much water out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I'm just setting up a new 120 and have had two Maxspect gyre 250's going for about three weeks. Still trying to figure out the programming but I'm a bit disappointed so far about the noise they make even at 50%. I keep thinking my phone's vibrating function is going off. So far the noise is not popular in my household. Heard they quiet down but right now not confident they will. The flow is awesome.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
 
It took my first one a while to quite down. Then it got loud again after about 9 months. After cleaning it was "silent" up to 60%.
My second one was silent on install.
 
I had the first generation 150 in my 120.
Nothing but a headache. Constant maintenance which in itself was a pain.
It is now sitting in the garage.
 
I have Gyre 130, 150 and Icecap 3k. Gyres have been quiet from day one, l'm used to stripping and cleaning, no real issues, if they're a little noisey post assembly l strip and assemble again, generally does it.
Icecap was silent from first start, at around 4 months it started whining, a clean was due. I just soaked it overnight it vinegar/water at 50/50, perfectly quiet post soaking.
 
Just had another die on me. Dunno what happened but same issue....no nothing from the motor. I don’t know if it was due to not cleaning in 6 months or what. In the trash and back to tunzes
 
PhishyRupert said:
Just had another die on me. Dunno what happened but same issue....no nothing from the motor. I don't know if it was due to not cleaning in 6 months or what. In the trash and back to tunzes
Click to expand...

That happened to me when I owned one when they first came out. Came home to it completely dead. They swapped out the motor block under warranty. I suspect that if they get stuck at some point the motor block burns up fast.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Markk96
Items for sale
Replies
0
Views
277
Markk96
Markk96
T
New Deltec Skimmer
Replies
1
Views
121
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
TreyB381
200 gallon single 2” drain, how would you do it?
Replies
6
Views
206
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
A
Fleece filter bypass problems (Innovitech X filter)
Replies
1
Views
71
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
Jyetman
Please help
Replies
9
Views
327
Jyetman
Jyetman
Back
Top