Anyone using the Neptune Systems COR-20 RETURN PUMP

[Amps Reef Life]

Good morning,

I'm asking if anyone using the Neptune Systems COR-20 INTELLIGENT RETURN PUMP (2000 GPH) or any of the Neptune pumps to share there thoughts and experience with them. I'm looking into to getting one and so is a friend of mine. Checking the major suppliers on the internet I see their arent too many reviews on them. I know we have a huge reefing community here and I hope to hear from some of you. Cheers.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

$325 for a plastic 2k gph pump. Are you sure you want to spend that?

 

[Amps Reef Life]

$325 for a plastic 2k gph pump. Are you sure you want to spend that?

Yes, it does cost a lot of money I was more curious about experiences from people using one. There are many benefits of having it with an apex controller. Doesn't hurt to consider or look :)

 

[AcanthurusRex]

Are there a metal $300 pumps? Why would one put a metal pump in salt water.

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Are there a metal $300 pumps? Why would one put a metal pump in salt water.

Reeflo and iwasaki come to mind.

 

[ddrueckh]

I know Iwaki pumps are a little noisy. I think the COR-20 would be much quieter. The COR-20 is also submersible...the Iwaki is not. I too am interested in feedback from current COR-20 users as I plan to use one on my new system.

Dave

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

One of the guys in our reef club has one. He said it works well but as far as features he is using it as a return pump so its just running at 90%.

 

[lbacha]

I have a cor15 that's been running since release in feb

My thoughts
1. It's completely silent
2. Easy to control flow, feed mode keeps a small amount of water moving so you don't get a siphon and no gurgling as it kicks back on
3. I have a flow meter and I can tweek it to the exact flow I want (I have it hooked to a manifold so as I turn reactors on and off I can easily adjust the flow to keep what goes to the DT the same)
4. Reliable so far, I will be doing its first 6 month cleaning in a couple months so we will see how the insides look
5. Awesome control through your apex

 

[Amps Reef Life]

I know Iwaki pumps are a little noisy. I think the COR-20 would be much quieter. The COR-20 is also submersible...the Iwaki is not. I too am interested in feedback from current COR-20 users as I plan to use one on my new system.

Dave

Awesome thanks for sharing. I'm planning to get one.

I have a cor15 that's been running since release in feb

My thoughts
1. It's completely silent
2. Easy to control flow, feed mode keeps a small amount of water moving so you don't get a siphon and no gurgling as it kicks back on
3. I have a flow meter and I can tweek it to the exact flow I want (I have it hooked to a manifold so as I turn reactors on and off I can easily adjust the flow to keep what goes to the DT the same)
4. Reliable so far, I will be doing its first 6 month cleaning in a couple months so we will see how the insides look
5. Awesome control through your apex

you rock! Thank you very much for sharing this amount of information. That's exactly why I've been looking into the pump. I want to setup flow meter with this return and monitor my flow. That should also let you know if the flow is slowing going down then A you need to clean or B your pump may be going out soon which is super nice when you are on vacation. I love my apex and my apex dosing system. I love the sound of the feed mode. I may getting one myself here soon. Thanks again for sharing cheers!

 

[mitch91175]

@Kman237, what powerheads do you use in your system? Asking to see just how much you are going to be relying of everything else in your system working properly using the Apex. Just give you an example, if ANY module on your Apex craps out on you, just forget about ANY of it working. I had a PM2 go bad on me and my entire system didn't work. Would have been nice for the PM2 module itself just not working, but to me total failure is a design flaw and disaster waiting to happen. Apex are great at what they do, but for one module to take down your entire system that in itself is alarming. Not being a debbie-downer, but someone else that I have run into, I think @Reefinny, had a similar issue with his Apex (and spent a lot of time and $$ trying to figure out his issue; ended up being his DOS head causing all the havoc in his unit). If it wasn't him you can easily find the thread on the community forum (if it wasn't deleted).

Since then, I have totally changed how I use the Apex. It is more informational for me now than REALLY controlling critical aspects of my system.

I am sure that their failure rate is within except-able level (at least I would hope so). I stick with an AC pump for my DT and just went with a Jabeo DCT6000 for my frag tank. Never cleaned any of them since they have been running and they are just running without issue (completely separate from my Apex).

 

[mitch91175]

It was @Reefinny, this is his threaad on Neptune Systems community forum: https://forum.neptunesystems.com/sh...d-832-and-modules-flashing&highlight=reefinny

 

[pelphrey]

@Kman237, what powerheads do you use in your system? Asking to see just how much you are going to be relying of everything else in your system working properly using the Apex. Just give you an example, if ANY module on your Apex craps out on you, just forget about ANY of it working. I had a PM2 go bad on me and my entire system didn't work. Would have been nice for the PM2 module itself just not working, but to me total failure is a design flaw and disaster waiting to happen. Apex are great at what they do, but for one module to take down your entire system that in itself is alarming. Not being a debbie-downer, but someone else that I have run into, I think @Reefinny, had a similar issue with his Apex (and spent a lot of time and $$ trying to figure out his issue; ended up being his DOS head causing all the havoc in his unit). If it wasn't him you can easily find the thread on the community forum (if it wasn't deleted).

Since then, I have totally changed how I use the Apex. It is more informational for me now than REALLY controlling critical aspects of my system.

I am sure that their failure rate is within except-able level (at least I would hope so). I stick with an AC pump for my DT and just went with a Jabeo DCT6000 for my frag tank. Never cleaned any of them since they have been running and they are just running without issue (completely separate from my Apex).

The COR20 is a stand alone pump, it can run without the apex.

I was a COR pump beta tester, I have zero issues with my COR20 during testing. After testing they sent me a replacement and I've had zero issues with it. Why did they send me a replacement... They want the beta pumps back to do a thorough check on the internal parts.

 

[Amps Reef Life]

@Kman237, what powerheads do you use in your system? Asking to see just how much you are going to be relying of everything else in your system working properly using the Apex. Just give you an example, if ANY module on your Apex craps out on you, just forget about ANY of it working. I had a PM2 go bad on me and my entire system didn't work. Would have been nice for the PM2 module itself just not working, but to me total failure is a design flaw and disaster waiting to happen. Apex are great at what they do, but for one module to take down your entire system that in itself is alarming. Not being a debbie-downer, but someone else that I have run into, I think @Reefinny, had a similar issue with his Apex (and spent a lot of time and $$ trying to figure out his issue; ended up being his DOS head causing all the havoc in his unit). If it wasn't him you can easily find the thread on the community forum (if it wasn't deleted).

Since then, I have totally changed how I use the Apex. It is more informational for me now than REALLY controlling critical aspects of my system.

I am sure that their failure rate is within except-able level (at least I would hope so). I stick with an AC pump for my DT and just went with a Jabeo DCT6000 for my frag tank. Never cleaned any of them since they have been running and they are just running without issue (completely separate from my Apex).

WOW, I haven't heard about the module issue. That's defiantly a scary thought but I don't completely rely on the Apex. Right now my return pump runs on its own but I would like to get the COR20 and have it running from my apex. I currently have a Jabeo return. pump. I have been using them for years on all my past reef tanks. I have 3x MP40's in my tank. I plan on adding a battery back up for those three powerheads in case of a power failure while I'm away. The MP40's arent controlled by my apex for that reason alone I want them to power up and run off the battery back up. I use my APEX for one heater I have a backup heater running separately from the apex in case one heater fails I have time to notice before the tank is affected. Along with that, the Apex Controls my T5's and my LEDs run separately from the apex. I run Hybrid build on my tank. The last thing my apex controls is my Neptune doser. I appreciate you sharing that information that's very handy to know and make me rethink a few things lol.

It was @Reefinny, this is his threaad on Neptune Systems community forum: https://forum.neptunesystems.com/sh...d-832-and-modules-flashing&highlight=reefinny

Thanks for the Link :) making my life easier!

 

[Amps Reef Life]

The COR20 is a stand alone pump, it can run without the apex.

I was a COR pump beta tester, I have zero issues with my COR20 during testing. After testing they sent me a replacement and I've had zero issues with it. Why did they send me a replacement... They want the beta pumps back to do a thorough check on the internal parts.

Thanks for sharing I thought you could only use the return with the Apex. Though I would want to have it controlled by my apex :)

 

[User1]

I have a pair of Cor 15's. Primary is my return for a 210 gallon which is 54" wide x 30" deep x 30" height, external overflow, Bean Animal design. Second Cor 15 is on my skimmer. I did this in case the return pump fails I could take the skimmer offline and move to the return with limited downtime and no plumbing swap. Just power off, disconnect, and replace. Simple.

Upon first leak check I picked up a Jebao DCT 1500 for the return during one of the black Friday / holiday sales. Not a bad price, moved a metric ton of water, but built like a wet paper bag. Intake pump and outlet/return feels thin and weak. Plastic handle on pump, which really isn't a handle but they lead one to believe it is, is also weak. I lifted the pump by it and it broke. Ignoring that, connected it to the tank, and it moved water. Somewhere along the tank build I saw the Cor was available and ordered one. In that time I removed the Jebao (tank was doing a leak check so not really up or started my new cycle) and during this time I noticed the outlet was started to separate from the intake manifold. Hard to explain but when I removed my union on the neck I felt it start to separate from the base ever so slightly. Remember my comment about it feeling thin - it is thin. Anyway this pump is regulated to my salt water mixing brute container and only used during water changes.

Enter Cor 15. Unbox and it feels like a tank, looks like a tank (although orange), and heavy. Everything inside you could want minus a intake screen (this is a bit silly honestly but whatever). Union, spare parts, wrench, etc. Pretty good deal so far. I plumbed mine for 1" since that was my return and it was easy to put in place. Connect it to my Apex and it saw it no problem. Do the intelligent tuning, again no problem. So far, so good. It really was that simple. But...

Log in to fusion, can't see it. Try a couple more things, still can't see it in the portal. Open ticket, get replies, they think it is a cable issue. 2 days later it arrived, same issue. Update ticket get a call 5 minutes later from Luis (nice fella, great support) and he sees that for some reason my Apex in general lost the communication token between the apex and portal. he fixes that, updates firmware, bam - Cor is visible.

Pump has been running since February. Originally at 80% but have since adjusted to 100% - why not. I was so happy that I figured if something happened I might as well have a backup. Skimmer it was. Same thing. In box, plumb in, and that was it. Both are running non stop, silent, and working like a champ. I can't really compare to anything else other than my Mag 1200 and Jebao DCT 1500 so don't know how the more expensive DC pumps are. I hear they are good. Some really super good. The Neptune so far has been super awesome sauce for me.

Extra nerdy stuff like portal power usage, control, and what not is just an extra. They really are built Ford tough if you catch my drift.

 

[kalare]

I've been running a COR20 since beta testing...love it. You'll love it if you like your apex and it's capabilities, as the COR pumps integrate perfectly and are controllable. If these things aren't important to you, then you can find a cheaper pump that does the same thing. I personally will try to always keep a COR pump on my Apex systems if budget permits. On my non Apex systems, I'll stick with my eheim.

 

[Reefcowboy]

I have te COR20. Awesome pump. Dont listen to stories of failing neptune equipment to discourage you from buying it. Ive had just about every equipment in the hobby and every brand has failing units. Neptune is very good with customer service so youll be covered.

I had bought the Vectra L1 and after reading how many of those quit working, decided to sell it and go with the COR. I still run the MP40’s as they have nothing to do with the Vectra issues and are great.

 

[mitch91175]

I have te COR20. Awesome pump. Dont listen to stories of failing neptune equipment to discourage you from buying it. Ive had just about every equipment in the hobby and every brand has failing units. Neptune is very good with customer service so youll be covered.

I had bought the Vectra L1 and after reading how many of those quit working, decided to sell it and go with the COR. I still run the MP40’s as they have nothing to do with the Vectra issues and are great.

Wasn't trying to discourage anyone from purchasing anything they want to purchase. If you see my threads in this forum you will see that much about me. I am just a full disclosure type of guys. If I have an experience good or bad, I report it to the masses and let them decide on their own what he/she wants to decide. Do you think I am against Neptune Systems or something? I doubt it since I have a lot of their components in my system ;). I just had my experience and until you have the one that I had I think you do not know what your system will do (hope it doesn't happen to you). More informational that "oh, don't buy this or that". Everyone here spends their money how they choose, I know I do regardless of what this or that person experienced.

I just look for certain deal breakers when making a decision and I am not telling him this is a deal breaker, I just rather have a tried and true AC return pump that I know will last me over 5 years (because my manufacturer at least has a 5 year warranty). Frag tank pump can be a cheapy for me since as long as I have a working powerhead in it, wouldn't care if the pump died tomorrow since it isn't a critical point in the system for me (my powerheads are).

But not the point the the OP thread so do not want to go back and forth about it either. Just get the COR20 if that is what you feel will work for your system (everyone has different needs :D)