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- Sep 12, 2019
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What is everyones thoughts on using a pair of maxspect gyre XF280 vs a pair of mp60 as far as pumps that work on 1" acrylic are concerned? Brs currently has a sale on the maxspect gyres which made me consider them.
A few details I've summed up if they help:
Mp60 pros:
-Considered a tried and true product for me and many others (previously used the older non qd 60s)
-Battery Back up compatible (ecotech/coralbox?/diy)*
-Easy cleaning
-No cables in the tank
-Great customer service (when I've needed them in my history of owning ecotech gear)
*Already have newer ecotech back up batteries I can re-allocate which may offset some overall cost
-Mobius might be good someday
Cons:
-Price for 2 is 1400 (792 dollar difference for 2 which could upgrade a rd3 to an abyzz or buy other gear)
-Likely noisier than the gyre (even the mp40qds have some noise so the qd60s will too since my older mp60s had noise)
-In comparison to the gyre it will be much more narrow and limited range of flow without additional supplementation
-Cannot mount very high (based on older mp60s and current mp40s) without sucking in a ton of air
Maxpect Gyre XF280 pros:
-Widest flow out of all pumps and powerheads (that I know of) and may not require additional supplementation
-Can be mounted vertical or horizontal and apparently very high up towards the surface of the water making it a bit less obtrusive than other powerheads (bar the cableless vortechs)
-Price for 2 (only 1 controller needed) 608 which is significantly less expensive than 2 qd60 ($792 is not insignificant!)
-Battery back up compatible (Icecap v2?*, Coralbox v2, DIY?)
-Exceeds the thickness maximum of 1" (1.25" max for mounting)
Cons:
-Not snail/random critter proof based on research (seems easily broken by snails and what not which hasn't been an issue with any vortech pump in my experience)
-Doesn't look anywhere near as easy to clean and seems like it will fail easier if neglected (I've gone extended periods without cleaning some of my older vortechs)
-No personal experience with their customer service/longevity (my oldest vortech is an 8 year old mp60 thats still in service)
-*Ice cap battery seems discontinued? leaving only DIY or Coralbox/DIY options available for battery back up since I don't know if the ecotech battery is compatible
-Cables in the tank + needing to make additional cutouts in the top bracing for the cables to go through the top of the acrylic (Tank will not/cannot be rimless)
TLDR ver: hobby is expensive, save 792 dollars and buy the gyres or stick with the mp60s?
A few details I've summed up if they help:
Mp60 pros:
-Considered a tried and true product for me and many others (previously used the older non qd 60s)
-Battery Back up compatible (ecotech/coralbox?/diy)*
-Easy cleaning
-No cables in the tank
-Great customer service (when I've needed them in my history of owning ecotech gear)
*Already have newer ecotech back up batteries I can re-allocate which may offset some overall cost
-Mobius might be good someday
Cons:
-Price for 2 is 1400 (792 dollar difference for 2 which could upgrade a rd3 to an abyzz or buy other gear)
-Likely noisier than the gyre (even the mp40qds have some noise so the qd60s will too since my older mp60s had noise)
-In comparison to the gyre it will be much more narrow and limited range of flow without additional supplementation
-Cannot mount very high (based on older mp60s and current mp40s) without sucking in a ton of air
Maxpect Gyre XF280 pros:
-Widest flow out of all pumps and powerheads (that I know of) and may not require additional supplementation
-Can be mounted vertical or horizontal and apparently very high up towards the surface of the water making it a bit less obtrusive than other powerheads (bar the cableless vortechs)
-Price for 2 (only 1 controller needed) 608 which is significantly less expensive than 2 qd60 ($792 is not insignificant!)
-Battery back up compatible (Icecap v2?*, Coralbox v2, DIY?)
-Exceeds the thickness maximum of 1" (1.25" max for mounting)
Cons:
-Not snail/random critter proof based on research (seems easily broken by snails and what not which hasn't been an issue with any vortech pump in my experience)
-Doesn't look anywhere near as easy to clean and seems like it will fail easier if neglected (I've gone extended periods without cleaning some of my older vortechs)
-No personal experience with their customer service/longevity (my oldest vortech is an 8 year old mp60 thats still in service)
-*Ice cap battery seems discontinued? leaving only DIY or Coralbox/DIY options available for battery back up since I don't know if the ecotech battery is compatible
-Cables in the tank + needing to make additional cutouts in the top bracing for the cables to go through the top of the acrylic (Tank will not/cannot be rimless)
TLDR ver: hobby is expensive, save 792 dollars and buy the gyres or stick with the mp60s?