Power heads

[gonzalezvacaeli]

Looking to purchase new power heads. Not to sure what I want. I had vortechs and I feel cost to much and don't last long. Was looking at tunze but I read the same for them. What does everybody recommend. Bang for my buck

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[Malign Reefer]

Checkout the Maxspect XF230 or larger Gyre Generator, I have heard good things about it.

 

[Freds]

I have the Gyre 130 (older controller) and love it. I will probably pick up another one or try the new Icecap Gyre. It's by far my favorite pump and I've owned Vortechs and most of the Tunze pumps. It's really quiet, the flow it puts out is really, really wide. On pulse or constant it really moves a ton of water.

 

[Joche]

Wait...the Tunzes have reliability issues now? Is there any company actually making long lasting, reliable products or is everyone focusing on controllable features only?

I'm in a similar position, the more I look into the subject it appears we are either moving in the direction of super expensive products with great customer service that lack longevity or super cheap products that are just disposable but inexpensive enough to replace often. I just want something that works without troubles, feels bad man:sad1:.

Anyways, I hate the way the gyre looks in tanks but the new 3k IceCap gyre with controller seems to be ~$150. I'll probably just stick with two AC powerheads on a timer alternating every 8-12hrs, I love simplicity, but the gyres flow dynamics seem very interesting and the new IceCap is budget friendly.

Bonus: the Vortechs are the ugliest thing on every tank, lol They work, but sure are ugly!

 

[gonzalezvacaeli]

Wait...the Tunzes have reliability issues now? Is there any company actually making long lasting, reliable products or is everyone focusing on controllable features only?

I'm in a similar position, the more I look into the subject it appears we are either moving in the direction of super expensive products with great customer service that lack longevity or super cheap products that are just disposable but inexpensive enough to replace often. I just want something that works without troubles, feels bad man:sad1:.

Anyways, I hate the way the gyre looks in tanks but the new 3k IceCap gyre with controller seems to be ~$150. I'll probably just stick with two AC powerheads on a timer alternating every 8-12hrs, I love simplicity, but the gyres flow dynamics seem very interesting and the new IceCap is budget friendly.

Bonus: the Vortechs are the ugliest thing on every tank, lol They work, but sure are ugly!

[emoji106]

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[LobsterOfJustice]

Bonus: the Vortechs are the ugliest thing on every tank, lol They work, but sure are ugly!

Man, if you think the Vortechs are ugly, you must not have been around for the old style Tunze Stream pumps. In my first 75, I had two powerheads the size of bricks.



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[Joche]

Man, if you think the Vortechs are ugly, you must not have been around for the old style Tunze Stream pumps. In my first 75, I had two powerheads the size of bricks.



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LOL, it's not about the size, it's the "right in the middle" thing. Having the motor outside the tank it's both the selling point and what makes it the "ugliest" pump on the market. Can't really hide them unless you mount them on the back or bottom panes, it just detracts from a "nature like" scene. They sure provide some of the best performance though.

BTW, use to have one of the first Resun DC controllable powerheads which were bigger than the Tunze if I remember correctly, they had no magnet or suction cup and use a bracket to hang them from the rim of the tank. Not quite(barely) as long lenghtwise, but way thicker than an actual brick, lol GOOD TIMES.

 

[twon8]

Tunze is the way to go imo. I still have 2 6200 streams running after ten years. The new stream 3 is a beast and should run forever as well.


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[tom obrecht]

Reliability wise I too have to vote Tunze. I've had units for years with zero issues. The gyres are also nice and they provide nice movt. The vortecs I used where first generations but I never felt they as bulletproof at Tunze.

 

[kurt_n]

Wait...the Tunzes have reliability issues now?

News to me. I've got older ones and new ones and they're the most reliable thing I've ever purchased for my tank! They're expensive, but I just wish I would've purchased them when I started. It would've saved me from the Koralias that just about killed my tank!

Tunze for powerheads, hands down.

 

[Joche]

News to me. I've got older ones and new ones and they're the most reliable thing I've ever purchased for my tank! They're expensive, but I just wish I would've purchased them when I started. It would've saved me from the Koralias that just about killed my tank!

Tunze for powerheads, hands down.

That is what I thought, I considered Tunze the "less likely to have problems and most likely to be resolved in the least amount of time" so I was confused.

Recently made a thread about powerheads and most of the pumps I was considering were from Tunze only evaluating Sicce and the Rossmont because the amount of water they move for the price they are being sold, but even though they are a bit more expensive I love reliability and awesome customer service that I shouldn't have to use, lol

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2623281

 

[f3honda4me]

I've had vortechs last years...

 

[FirstContact]

The magnets on the Tunzes are pretty weak compared to just about everything else. They have a really high price point and there's no guarantee that the ones you purchase will last 10 years. I had several Tunzes run reliably between 4-6 years before they died, but for those prices, I wish they would have lasted longer.

 

[rtparty]

I've had Tunze and Vortech both last years without issues. I've never heard of Tunze having reliability issues either. If anything, they are some of the most bulletproof items we have in this hobby.

 

[FirstContact]

My Jebao RW-15s are 3 years old and going strong.

 

[tkeracer619]

My gen 1 vortechs are still going strong

They have definitely improved them over the years too.

 

[FirstContact]

Everyone's always selling off their Vortech's in the used forums because they need expensive repairs.

 

[rtparty]

Everyone's always selling off their Vortech's in the used forums because they need expensive repairs.

Or because they hold amazing resale value and people know they're a quick sell.

I see very few that are selling because they're broken. Do you have proof of what you say?

 

[FirstContact]

Common knowledge that the bearings or wet sides need to be replaced. Tons of open posts and in person complaints that the units cost so much only to then break down shortly needing expensive repairs/replacement parts.

Tunze and Vortech make quality high end equipment. All things being equal, I'd rather purchase a pair of Tunzes or Vortechs than a pair of Jebaos. IMHO I just think for around a $1,000 per pair of powerheads we can do better with regards to warranties Tunze 2 years Vortech 1 year for all of those that don't last 10 years which I think are the majority of units produced.

When I need more flow other than my Jebaos I plan on picking up some Maxspect Gyres possibly at MACNA in NOLA.

For the price of 2 Tunze or Vortech I can get 12 Jebaos and still have money left over. I only got 4-6 years out of the Tunzes I've owned in the past and I've already gotten 3 years out of my Jebaos. The difference easily pays for my MACNA tickets, 2 round trip air fares to NOLA, and leaves money to spare to help pay for the hotel room.

 

[tkeracer619]

Just because you see something for sale doesn't mean it's because they break. That doesn't hold true for anything. When stuff breaks it holds close to zero resale value.