chadfarmer
Premium Member
wow this doesn't sound good I first got mine beginning of December and had to put back in 2 out of the 3 tunzes I was running. just put back in the lower wattage units left 6305 out. lots of dead spots even at 100%
STILL LIKE YOUR-Gyre XF150 ???
- Thread starter ClownBubbaJoe
- Start date
wow this doesn't sound good I first got mine beginning of December and had to put back in 2 out of the 3 tunzes I was running. just put back in the lower wattage units left 6305 out. lots of dead spots even at 100%
I was considering one of these but after research I'll pass. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is what brought me to that decision.
A) It's laminar flow. While it may be a wider spread, it's laminar flow. Laminar flow is not the type of flow we want in most of our tanks. Certainly not in my tank.
B) I've read servicing these is a pita. Most wave makers are very simple, remove the cage, pull the impeller, scrub with a toothbrush and/or soak in vinegar, done. Apparently there is a process to taking these apart for servicing and it increases the probability of something breaking. Which leads me to my next issue.
C) Replacement parts are grossly overpriced. Some costing damn near as much as a brand new unit. If I can't purchase replacement parts for a product that are reasonably priced then I don't want it.
D) No Apex compatibility. Neptune gave CoralVue the information required to make it compatible but they decided not to implement it. In today's age of reef keeping if you are not going to make your product controller compatible I'm not going to buy it. I bought the Apex to control everything on my tank, not just some things. That is a big negative for me.
E) Finally, they are unproven for reliability at this point. I don't want to be the lab rat.
I simply don't see these as being a replacement for wave makers. Perhaps a supplement to them, but that's about it. Maybe a second generation will cure in my opinion the aforementioned problems.
A) It's laminar flow. While it may be a wider spread, it's laminar flow. Laminar flow is not the type of flow we want in most of our tanks. Certainly not in my tank.
B) I've read servicing these is a pita. Most wave makers are very simple, remove the cage, pull the impeller, scrub with a toothbrush and/or soak in vinegar, done. Apparently there is a process to taking these apart for servicing and it increases the probability of something breaking. Which leads me to my next issue.
C) Replacement parts are grossly overpriced. Some costing damn near as much as a brand new unit. If I can't purchase replacement parts for a product that are reasonably priced then I don't want it.
D) No Apex compatibility. Neptune gave CoralVue the information required to make it compatible but they decided not to implement it. In today's age of reef keeping if you are not going to make your product controller compatible I'm not going to buy it. I bought the Apex to control everything on my tank, not just some things. That is a big negative for me.
E) Finally, they are unproven for reliability at this point. I don't want to be the lab rat.
I simply don't see these as being a replacement for wave makers. Perhaps a supplement to them, but that's about it. Maybe a second generation will cure in my opinion the aforementioned problems.
tom obrecht
Active member
Some good points here. I did purchase one and have been using for a few weeks now. As I mentioned earlier my sand is everywhere and continues to blow around. I have my Tunzes cleaned and ready to go just in case I have a "breakdown"! Controllers are a big thing anymore and I agree they should have made comparable with at least a couple mainstream makers. As far as flow goes the jury is still out for me. There are some good points and some so/so points in my opinion. If you like bare bottom or have very course substrate and could crank the flow up without the noise it would definitely suit my needs better.
username in use
Sciencing Daily
Have you considered a couple sea swirls on either the return or a closed loop to randomize a provide some flow to those dead spots? Might be a decent alternative to another "thing" on the side of the tank.
jason2459
Well-known member
Yep, I still love my gyre and here's my experience to the bullet points above
A) The laminar flow it creates seems to only effect the open swimming space and is loved by the fish but totally disrupted by the fish and any solid object. I can see this in my two bubble tip anemones. Even though I have constant flow on in either direction and a constant flow from my return pump my anemones act as if they are pulsing in waves just like when I had my two tunze's working on a controller to pulse.
B) Yep, I'm not looking forward to the full pull apart to clean. I only plan to do this once every 3-4 months. Monthly I plan to do a quick run in a bucket with vinegar and water. So far though going in alternating gyre with flipped paddle wheels (A/A or B/B) it's been blowing off any detritus build up when it changes direction. I am also nervous of breaking parts when I do get to pulling it fully apart as I already got half way there switching out the paddle wheels.
C) From what I see for replacement parts they are on par with Tunze replacement parts for price. The most expensive component is the motor itself which is the same with Tunze as well. I don't have any other experience other then tunze replacement parts so not sure about other brands and cost. I just bought the suction cup pads to go on the wet side and didn't think it was to much.
D) It would have been a lot better to give third party controller compatibility right away. I do think this and lack of external battery support is a game stopper for now for many. Especially for those that want multiple units to work together. Battery backup will be the first thing I add ASAP.
E) Finally, they are unproven for reliability at this point. I don't mind being the lab rat.
It's point A that really sold me on these and still makes me very happy with my unit. I also don't have any issues with noise at all at 70% I can't hear it. Right now they are just as loud as my Tunze's were which is not at all when sitting down and enjoying my tank which is a lot more fun now watching how my fish interact with the flow. I've heard several vortech's mp40's and mp60's and they were very loud compared to what I'm used to so if my gyre were as loud as those I would have dumped it and put my Tunze's back in.
A) The laminar flow it creates seems to only effect the open swimming space and is loved by the fish but totally disrupted by the fish and any solid object. I can see this in my two bubble tip anemones. Even though I have constant flow on in either direction and a constant flow from my return pump my anemones act as if they are pulsing in waves just like when I had my two tunze's working on a controller to pulse.
B) Yep, I'm not looking forward to the full pull apart to clean. I only plan to do this once every 3-4 months. Monthly I plan to do a quick run in a bucket with vinegar and water. So far though going in alternating gyre with flipped paddle wheels (A/A or B/B) it's been blowing off any detritus build up when it changes direction. I am also nervous of breaking parts when I do get to pulling it fully apart as I already got half way there switching out the paddle wheels.
C) From what I see for replacement parts they are on par with Tunze replacement parts for price. The most expensive component is the motor itself which is the same with Tunze as well. I don't have any other experience other then tunze replacement parts so not sure about other brands and cost. I just bought the suction cup pads to go on the wet side and didn't think it was to much.
D) It would have been a lot better to give third party controller compatibility right away. I do think this and lack of external battery support is a game stopper for now for many. Especially for those that want multiple units to work together. Battery backup will be the first thing I add ASAP.
E) Finally, they are unproven for reliability at this point. I don't mind being the lab rat.
It's point A that really sold me on these and still makes me very happy with my unit. I also don't have any issues with noise at all at 70% I can't hear it. Right now they are just as loud as my Tunze's were which is not at all when sitting down and enjoying my tank which is a lot more fun now watching how my fish interact with the flow. I've heard several vortech's mp40's and mp60's and they were very loud compared to what I'm used to so if my gyre were as loud as those I would have dumped it and put my Tunze's back in.
calistyle
Active member
The idea behind this pump is great. I'm giving it a round two test. This time as a supplement to my MP40s vs a replacement.
MP40's (one on each side of overflow) and adding a x130 to top center part of over overflow (right below return lines). This will allow me to run all pumps at 50% or less.
I won't knock Gyre for being new, all products were at one time and it's important to support and welcome new additions to the reef community.
MP40's (one on each side of overflow) and adding a x130 to top center part of over overflow (right below return lines). This will allow me to run all pumps at 50% or less.
I won't knock Gyre for being new, all products were at one time and it's important to support and welcome new additions to the reef community.
Supplemental flow is where I see a big advantage on these. When I was considering them, my flow plan on my 96x30x24 build was 4x 3/4" sea swirls as returns, 2x RW-15's as wave makers (low and centered on the back glass) and then vertically mounted gyres on opposite sides of the back of the tank. With the gyres running on a tidal schedule simulating the incoming and outgoing tide. As of now I'm leaning toward 2x RW-20's instead of the gyres. The lack of Apex compatibility really bothers me.
I can find good uses for laminar flow, be a lab rat, spend extra time cleaning and pay for replacement parts, but for the love of God, make it communicate with my Apex.
I can find good uses for laminar flow, be a lab rat, spend extra time cleaning and pay for replacement parts, but for the love of God, make it communicate with my Apex.
Purchased mine in November and it has been running great. As for cleaning goes I don't know what all the fuss is about. Not much different then doing a complete disassemble of a MP40 wet side. There are a few more small bushings that you have to worry about loosing but the process is not bad at all. In the flow department things are great. I have no idea about all the science between laminar flow and random flow but I don know my SPS have all reacted favorably to the flow pattern from the Gyre. The only negative for me with the Gyre is the lack of Apex control.
m0nkie
Well-known member
mine broke too after a month... remember last month I was just asking how it was.. and by "fixing" it, I broke more pieces.. anyways, ordered new parts. I'll see if it's an easy fix. the pump itself works great! much better than 3 regular powerheads I put inside..
I read news there's a new generation of Ecotech MP pumps. new "patented" technology. The $100 price drop was due to this new technology, not price competition against the Gyre. So I'll see what Ecotech comes out with.
d2mini
Premium Member
Yep, those are on my radar and may be my next major purchase. Will have to wait a little while though, as I recover from the rebuild.
But meanwhile I picked up a Tunze 6105 for the opposite end.
Couple observations...
1) It's large. Definitely stands out more than the Gyre. Or MP inside the tank.
2) Nothing but a thin disc on the outside of the tank. Much better than MP in this regard.
3) COMPLETELY silent. Major points over both MP and Gyre.
4) Build quality *appears* to be on par with MP's. Time will tell. Definitely feels better than the Gyre.
5) Running both at 100%, wide cage installed on the Tunze, using Larry's Reef Frenzy dropped in the tank as my scientific guide
, flow appears to be pretty equal in force/travel, but of course the Gyre is wider.6) Engineering/Design of the Tunze is pretty slick, i.e. shock absorbers and "floating" magnetic mount. No wonder its so quiet.
7) Tunze (once my $14 cable arrives today) works with/programs seamlessly with my Profilux controller. No need for another control module or whole separate controller.
8) Another cable will allow the use of a battery backup of my choice.
So right now I have the Tunze running opposite the Gyre.
No regrets on my purchase at the moment.
I definitely feel like it was the right decisions to NOT buy another Gyre right now.
But I will be watching as the product evolves. They pretty much nailed it in the flow department, but its most of the other areas that need work in order to compete at the same level as other higher end pumps.
jason2459
Well-known member
Tunze's are awesome. Great build quality, fully controllable, swap-able parts like the wide flow and narrow flow (I had one of each in my tank), battery backup, easy to adjust where you want the flow, Quite(but that was through several generations and upgrades of various parts on the mounts and propeller I had to do on mine), and GREAT support from the company.
If my gyre falls apart Tunze is the only other pump I would consider putting back in my tank. But like I mentioned even the Tunze's were not as quite as they are now. I've gone through several upgrades on the 6105's I have to get them as quite as they are and how they come now.
If my gyre falls apart Tunze is the only other pump I would consider putting back in my tank. But like I mentioned even the Tunze's were not as quite as they are now. I've gone through several upgrades on the 6105's I have to get them as quite as they are and how they come now.
d2mini
Premium Member
I've got MP40 wet sides that are 4+ years old and have never needed to be disassembled.
Just a vinegar/water bath and then a minute or two with a toothbrush.
There's just so much else that takes up my time with the tank, not to mention other life/family obligations, that I don't need to be spending a saturday morning playing backyard mechanic with a couple pumps every 6 weeks or so. I need the "shake and bake" version! :lol:
But I suppose if you were disassembling your other pumps, and the gyre is cutting the amount of them in half, then it wouldn't be that big of a deal.
Just a vinegar/water bath and then a minute or two with a toothbrush.
There's just so much else that takes up my time with the tank, not to mention other life/family obligations, that I don't need to be spending a saturday morning playing backyard mechanic with a couple pumps every 6 weeks or so. I need the "shake and bake" version! :lol:
But I suppose if you were disassembling your other pumps, and the gyre is cutting the amount of them in half, then it wouldn't be that big of a deal.
asonitez
Floodicus Maximus Flooris
@d2Mini and a Few others.
Over the years my pump tastes have varied greatly.
Modded MaxiJets with SureFlow's
Hydor Koralia 4's
Hydor Koralia 4-EVO's on a RedSea Wavemaker
Tunze 6K's (X4)
Vortech MP40's X 4
Tunze 6095's X 4
Maxspect GYRE
In all of my experience.. I CONTINUE to go back to TUNZE Every.Single.Time.
Here are my problems with the GYRE.
My tank is a Peninsula with 3 sides viewable. With 4 Tunzes in each corner there are only 2 2.5" Circles in the upper Corners of the "end" of the tank. With the GYRE there is a 1" + BAR distorting the view of that end. It is completely in your view of the SPS on the top of my rock formations (which I reserve for the most beautiful pieces.)
If you are like me and went with 2 islands or a 60/40 Look where less rock is on the sand and most rock is within the column then the GYRE is useless. It will create laminar flow but the valley inbetween the formations will be lifeless. Also... if you are in a 4ft Tank then w/e end the water is hitting will get excessive sand shifting.
GYRE is suited to a tank with no sand bed or incredibly heavy sandbed. I'm using Tropic Eden Reef-Flakes and have problems with it.
If you are using a peninsula tank like mine where you have a coast to coast overflow you MUST put the gyre opposite the overflow. Placing it on the overflow end will cause particles to get blown AWAY from the overflow.
I suggest that GYRE's be used on
1. Barebottom tanks
2. Non Peninsula Tanks
3. Where more rock covers the sand bed than the water column and this can get (rolled over) by the laminar flow .
I suggest 2 Pumps in opposite directions. 1 Horizantal and 1 Vertical flowing toward each other to create randomized flow.
Over the years my pump tastes have varied greatly.
Modded MaxiJets with SureFlow's
Hydor Koralia 4's
Hydor Koralia 4-EVO's on a RedSea Wavemaker
Tunze 6K's (X4)
Vortech MP40's X 4
Tunze 6095's X 4
Maxspect GYRE
In all of my experience.. I CONTINUE to go back to TUNZE Every.Single.Time.
Here are my problems with the GYRE.
My tank is a Peninsula with 3 sides viewable. With 4 Tunzes in each corner there are only 2 2.5" Circles in the upper Corners of the "end" of the tank. With the GYRE there is a 1" + BAR distorting the view of that end. It is completely in your view of the SPS on the top of my rock formations (which I reserve for the most beautiful pieces.)
If you are like me and went with 2 islands or a 60/40 Look where less rock is on the sand and most rock is within the column then the GYRE is useless. It will create laminar flow but the valley inbetween the formations will be lifeless. Also... if you are in a 4ft Tank then w/e end the water is hitting will get excessive sand shifting.
GYRE is suited to a tank with no sand bed or incredibly heavy sandbed. I'm using Tropic Eden Reef-Flakes and have problems with it.
If you are using a peninsula tank like mine where you have a coast to coast overflow you MUST put the gyre opposite the overflow. Placing it on the overflow end will cause particles to get blown AWAY from the overflow.
I suggest that GYRE's be used on
1. Barebottom tanks
2. Non Peninsula Tanks
3. Where more rock covers the sand bed than the water column and this can get (rolled over) by the laminar flow .
I suggest 2 Pumps in opposite directions. 1 Horizantal and 1 Vertical flowing toward each other to create randomized flow.
The Gyre was not designed to create that kind of randomized flow. The randomized flow the Gyre wants to recreate is that produced by sheets of unidirectional flow when hitting an object and not that created by two unidirectional flows that collide.
This has been well explained by Jake Adams
http://************.com/2014/11/22/gyre-flow-difference-ten-years/
I think that people that want to use the Gyre as a regular propeller pump, but more powerful, are wrong.
To me, the main question right now is whether a single gyre moving the whole amount of water in the tank always in the same direction is enough or it would be better to alternate different gyres.
lazydaze73
New member
How strong does your guys pull in reverse. Alternating gyre. Mine goes very hard but in reverse it's no where near as powerful at the same power setting. Is this normal?
swk
New member
That is normal.
I've been enjoying mine. It is dead quiet, and performs well for me. I dont understand all the complaints about the cleaning process. Disassembly is not difficult or lengthy by any means imo. I've owned an mp40 since '09 so I've had both of the pumps. In fact, I'm currently using both in my 75 gal display. The gyre running at 50% constant mode and the mp40 running in lagoon at about 75% as well. I have really course substrate mixed with reef flakes and don't get any of it blowing around.
All in all, I would certainly purchase one again.
Yogre
Cheesehead Reefer
I like my Gyres. I've had two of them in service since November, one at each end of my 215 gal 6' x 2' tank. They replaced two Tunze 6205s.
The Gyres definitely move more water than the Tunzes, and they easily reach all the way to the other side with the flow, which the 6205s had some trouble with. There are some dead spots, but I think that has more to do with the way my rock work is arranged than anything. I don't think any pump could stir every part of my tank. The Gyres are quieter than the Tunzes, too, I could hear the Tunzes hum, whereas the Gyres if I'm not right next to them I can't hear them. I'm currently running them in constant speed mode at 80% power.
With respect to cleaning the Gyres, it's not difficult after you've done the first one. They come apart in a couple of minutes. Reassembly takes some care to get the prop cages reinstalled in the proper orientation. One caution: the impellers are DELICATE. Use caution handling them. There are also a couple of tiny o-rings on the prop shaft. These are going to be an issue if Maxspect doesn't make these available as replacement parts, they will be easy to lose or tear.
Lack of Apex compatibility is a bit of an irritant. I'm controlling them in a basic way just by switching their outlets off and on, alternating every six hours. I've also got a feed mode programmed into each outlet. I'm looking forward to seeing what capabilities the advanced controller will offer when it's released.
To sum up, I like my Gyres and am happy to have them in my tank, I think both my fish and corals like the flow they offer.
The Gyres definitely move more water than the Tunzes, and they easily reach all the way to the other side with the flow, which the 6205s had some trouble with. There are some dead spots, but I think that has more to do with the way my rock work is arranged than anything. I don't think any pump could stir every part of my tank. The Gyres are quieter than the Tunzes, too, I could hear the Tunzes hum, whereas the Gyres if I'm not right next to them I can't hear them. I'm currently running them in constant speed mode at 80% power.
With respect to cleaning the Gyres, it's not difficult after you've done the first one. They come apart in a couple of minutes. Reassembly takes some care to get the prop cages reinstalled in the proper orientation. One caution: the impellers are DELICATE. Use caution handling them. There are also a couple of tiny o-rings on the prop shaft. These are going to be an issue if Maxspect doesn't make these available as replacement parts, they will be easy to lose or tear.
Lack of Apex compatibility is a bit of an irritant. I'm controlling them in a basic way just by switching their outlets off and on, alternating every six hours. I've also got a feed mode programmed into each outlet. I'm looking forward to seeing what capabilities the advanced controller will offer when it's released.
To sum up, I like my Gyres and am happy to have them in my tank, I think both my fish and corals like the flow they offer.
