IceCap 3K Gyre Generation Flow Pump
- Thread starter Ou8me2
- Start date
It's a different design entirely, they only license the shape and technology from Maxspect -- It's a different item from the ground up otherwise, in a familiar shape.
So they claim. Either way it doesn't matter. As long as it works its a licensed alternative with in country support.
Correct. Although as others have stated -- If you only need one this is probably great, if you need two the savings aren't quite as nice, considering you wont be able to link them together or use with Apex.
1000rrstunna
Member
just bought one
I look at it as maxspect being smart and not letting jebao jack all of their business.... they are just marketing it under a different name as to not hurt their premium line A+
Str8linespeed
New member
I just bought one and picked it up from BRS today and have it installed. Now keep in mind Im using this in a RSM250.
I have not owned a Maxspect Gyre, so I have nothing to compare this one to. I have been running the cheap SunSun 800gph powerheads in my tank and I just was not happy with the dead spots. I've tossed around picking up some MP10's, but the price I could not justify. Well when I saw this come for sale at BRS I jumped on it. Figured WTH, lets give it a try.
First off, Im not really impressed with the manual. Its mostly pictures and doesnt really explain how to set it up. Ok, well lets turn it on and I'll figure it out. Out of the box this set for 100%. Holy Crap, is all I have to say... Im glad it was aimed down and not up. It blew corals over flat, and rearranged my sand bed for me in the matter of seconds. Glad I knew how to shut it off right away.
Anyways, I re-aimed each side and turned it back on.. It took me quite some time to figure out how to turn it down from 100%. Especially from the different modes. My tank looked like a sand storm went thru, but I no longer have any fish poop in any dead areas. I say it took me at least 1 hour maybe more to figure it fully out and have it set and working for my tank.
The pump has the following settings forwards and backwards
-Constant
-Pulse
-Gradual Pulse
-Random
-Alternating Gyre
One of the first things in the manual is a warning regarding the pulse modes and how they are not liable for your tank not being built to hold up against that type of water movement and to check with the manufacture. So with that being said I have mine set on constant, until I can talk to Red Sea.
My tank is only 36" wide and Im using it to move water that length. I have to say, this pump is almost to powerful for my tank. I have it set at 20% and can not go any more, or my corals will be laying sideways. I did have to move some of my corals around even at 20% so its a little more calm for them. There are time settings, which allow you at a certain time of day to change the flow pattern and intensity. It took me some time to figure it out, but I have it set to ramp down to 10% at night, which in my tank causes very subtle movement of the corals. I honestly thought in my tank I would be running somewhere around 40-50%. I'll still do some playing with it to see if I can fine tune it.
The few things I think they could improve
-Make it adjustable in either 5% increments or even 1% for finer tuning.
-Make a better manual. The pictures are nice, but give some detailed explanation of the setup and how to properly set the timers. Better examples I guess
-Make it both 12hr and 24hr clock. I think it would ease with the timer settings since the manual picture and small description are two different things). That made it confusing.
-Come up with a model for smaller tanks
If anyone has any questions I'll be happy to answer them
I have not owned a Maxspect Gyre, so I have nothing to compare this one to. I have been running the cheap SunSun 800gph powerheads in my tank and I just was not happy with the dead spots. I've tossed around picking up some MP10's, but the price I could not justify. Well when I saw this come for sale at BRS I jumped on it. Figured WTH, lets give it a try.
First off, Im not really impressed with the manual. Its mostly pictures and doesnt really explain how to set it up. Ok, well lets turn it on and I'll figure it out. Out of the box this set for 100%. Holy Crap, is all I have to say... Im glad it was aimed down and not up. It blew corals over flat, and rearranged my sand bed for me in the matter of seconds. Glad I knew how to shut it off right away.
Anyways, I re-aimed each side and turned it back on.. It took me quite some time to figure out how to turn it down from 100%. Especially from the different modes. My tank looked like a sand storm went thru, but I no longer have any fish poop in any dead areas. I say it took me at least 1 hour maybe more to figure it fully out and have it set and working for my tank.
The pump has the following settings forwards and backwards
-Constant
-Pulse
-Gradual Pulse
-Random
-Alternating Gyre
One of the first things in the manual is a warning regarding the pulse modes and how they are not liable for your tank not being built to hold up against that type of water movement and to check with the manufacture. So with that being said I have mine set on constant, until I can talk to Red Sea.
My tank is only 36" wide and Im using it to move water that length. I have to say, this pump is almost to powerful for my tank. I have it set at 20% and can not go any more, or my corals will be laying sideways. I did have to move some of my corals around even at 20% so its a little more calm for them. There are time settings, which allow you at a certain time of day to change the flow pattern and intensity. It took me some time to figure it out, but I have it set to ramp down to 10% at night, which in my tank causes very subtle movement of the corals. I honestly thought in my tank I would be running somewhere around 40-50%. I'll still do some playing with it to see if I can fine tune it.
The few things I think they could improve
-Make it adjustable in either 5% increments or even 1% for finer tuning.
-Make a better manual. The pictures are nice, but give some detailed explanation of the setup and how to properly set the timers. Better examples I guess
-Make it both 12hr and 24hr clock. I think it would ease with the timer settings since the manual picture and small description are two different things). That made it confusing.
-Come up with a model for smaller tanks
If anyone has any questions I'll be happy to answer them
radecatur
New member
So far, I'm not keen on the magnet being exposed to open water. That makes me apprehensive.
And i agree with str8, the programming is a bit cumbersome until you get the hang of it.
I am really curious what the SD card slot is for though. Downloadable firmware? Create programs on a pc and upload them to the controller via sd card? Im intrigued by that.
And i agree with str8, the programming is a bit cumbersome until you get the hang of it.
I am really curious what the SD card slot is for though. Downloadable firmware? Create programs on a pc and upload them to the controller via sd card? Im intrigued by that.
Str8linespeed
New member
SD slot?? I didnt even notice it.. I'll take a look closer at my controller.
Well its been running for about 24hours now.. I actually moved it to the opposite side of my tank, to push against my return pump. That slowed the flow down. My clowns love going to the middle/front of the tank and swimming against the flow that is there. They then ride the current back to the pump.
I moved the pump down, its about 4" below the surface. Yesterday it was only 1" below the surface. I've been playing with the different programming modes. I have 4 programs in place now to do different things at different times during the day. Im also up to 40% flow and it seems to be a good flow thru my tank. I had to do some rearrangement of a few rocks and corals though. Thats ok, I like the look of it better now.
I still wish my tank was about a foot longer, that would help out. I honestly dont know how they say this is recommended for a minimum size 25 gal tank. Maybe if they are running the pump in reverse?? LOL
It's so you can upgrade the firmware.
PilotMaximus
Member
Thats very nice. Certainly makes it more appealing. Thats if they decide to release new firmware as needed by the community.
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