Ice cap 2k with hydros wave controller any good ?

[urmaker]

Looking at getting the ice cap 2k with hydros wave controller for a 65 gallon reef tank with corals . Going to out one on each side anybody have experiencing this ?

 

[tbrown]

@Stang67 @F i s h y

 

[Gman83]

I have icecap 2k's. Started with them on a 55, and still run them in my 75. I have the icecap controller. For a while, allegedly the icecap controller was no longer supported, which as long as you didn't want to change any setting they would still work. Was going to update to a wave engine to run them, but then everything started working fine so I have held off.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I have 2 icecap 2k gyres with the wave engine and the hydros system. I've had it almost 3 years now, it all works fine.

Did you just want to know if others use that same set up? Or did you have any questions?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I have icecap 2k's. Started with them on a 55, and still run them in my 75. I have the icecap controller. For a while, allegedly the icecap controller was no longer supported, which as long as you didn't want to change any setting they would still work. Was going to update to a wave engine to run them, but then everything started working fine so I have held off.

Yes I was using the controller but it malfunctioned after 2 years and they told me it is not supported anymore so they couldn't help me. I had no choice but to buy the wave engine. Frankly I feel its a scam to need the wave engine if the you have the hydros, the hydros should be able to control it IMO but oh well

 

[Gman83]

Yes I was using the controller but it malfunctioned after 2 years and they told me it is not supported anymore so they couldn't help me. I had no choice but to buy the wave engine. Frankly I feel its a scam to need the wave engine if the you have the hydros, the hydros should be able to control it IMO but oh well

I bought them used here on r2r. I've had them 1-2 years. I was put off on having to upgrade, so I did nothing to look at options. I was told it was the firmware, and because it wasn't updated, but I couldn't get it to update. All of sudden, a couple months ago everything worked fine, got them updated.

OP they should be fine for a 65. In the 55, I had them on opposite sides, now I have them on the same side at different heights

 

[urmaker]

I have 2 icecap 2k gyres with the wave engine and the hydros system. I've had it almost 3 years now, it all works fine.

Did you just want to know if others use that same set up? Or did you have any questions?

I’m a noob and making sure it’s a good choice . At 430 dollars I want to make sure It’s the best option at the price point and if just the combo with wave engine and another 2k is sufficient for a 65 display gallon 36 inch tank . I have a hydros ice cap gyre adapter cable on order as well

Let me know if this is all I need

https://carolinaaquatics.com/products/icecap-gyre-2k-flow-pump-with-hydros-we-le?keyword=ice cap 2k
https://carolinaaquatics.com/produc...=HYDROS WaveEngine Direct Drive Pump Adapters
https://carolinaaquatics.com/produc...78438&pr_ref_pid=7106478276742&pr_seq=uniform
Could you let me know if this is all I need plz ?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I’m a noob and making sure it’s a good choice . At 430 dollars I want to make sure It’s the best option at the price point and if just the combo with wave engine and another 2k is sufficient for a 65 display gallon 36 inch tank . I have a hydros ice cap gyre adapter cable on order as well

Let me know if this is all I need

https://carolinaaquatics.com/products/icecap-gyre-2k-flow-pump-with-hydros-we-le?keyword=ice cap 2k
https://carolinaaquatics.com/produc...=HYDROS WaveEngine Direct Drive Pump Adapters
https://carolinaaquatics.com/produc...78438&pr_ref_pid=7106478276742&pr_seq=uniform
Could you let me know if this is all I need plz ?

I feel its a good choice, yes. I have 2 gyres on a 40 breeder, so 36" long, I have them set to 50% mixed lps and sps. The gyres have lasted 3 years with no issue's at all, and as mentioned above, I bought the wave engine just a year ago but it connected perfectly to the hydros. I love it and feel I got my money's worth. Good luck

 

[Stang67]

I have 2 4k gyres and the hydros we le. Yes you got what you need put together. I haven't been able to figure out how to use them when feeding but tbh I haven't really looked to hard.

 

[areefer01]

I’m a noob and making sure it’s a good choice . At 430 dollars I want to make sure It’s the best option at the price point and if just the combo with wave engine and another 2k is sufficient for a 65 display gallon 36 inch tank . I have a hydros ice cap gyre adapter cable on order as well

Ignoring the noob part as we all start somewhere the question is if it is a good choice. That is hard to say as we all have our personal bias.

I have used the Icecap 4k with the Wave Engine LE. The secondary Gyre was the Maxspect XF280. Between the two the XF280 moved more water and was more powerful even though the Wave Engine LE limited it for compatibility reasons. How much they each move doesn't really matter just something I noticed.

Few notes:

• Gyres by some are considered a bit more difficult to maintain.
• Gyre blades for example, soak in citric acid and warm water, then gently scrub with a brush.
• Cages are also a bit difficult but again soak in citric acid
• Best to have spare blades and cages, makes maintenance a lot easier (turn off, remove cage, blade, attach clean blade, cage, restart, take dirty, soak and clean at your convivence then store until next cycle).
• I clean my Gyres monthly but my tank runs higher nutrients.
• Gyres move water, laminar flow or sheet.
• Icecaps do not have directional inductors on the top of the cage like Maxspect, nor do they have split cages
• Even though Icecap is an off brand from Maxspect they are still pretty pricey.

Ok, so ignoring the price and Gyre there may be cheaper options for your display size. Unless you want to be in the Hydros ecosystem. 65 gallon display I am thinking a pair of Gyres may be too much.

Could you let me know if this is all I need plz ?

If I was you I would hit up the Hydros webpage, find the contactus, and ask them what all you need to be sure. I'm not saying we don't know but they will give you the correct information. I don't recall buying a pigtail for the Icecap. I needed one for the Maxspect XF280 though. Thus me suggesting reaching out. They reply pretty quickly.

I would also do a search on power heads for 40 and 60 gallon tanks. There may be some other choices at a lower entry point to get started.

 

[BryanM]

I have the WE and 2 icecape 2k gyres, and it all works great.

 

[n2585722]

Yes I was using the controller but it malfunctioned after 2 years and they told me it is not supported anymore so they couldn't help me. I had no choice but to buy the wave engine. Frankly I feel its a scam to need the wave engine if the you have the hydros, the hydros should be able to control it IMO but oh well

The Wave Engine is a part of the Hydros system that has direct drive ports. It comes as a WEv2 or the WELE. The big differences is the WEv2 has 4 direct drive ports and can be used as a wifi master in a collective the WELE has only 2 direct drive ports and cannot be used as a wifi master. They both are Hydros controllers and can be part of any Hydros collective. So actually if you have the Wave Engine the Hydros is controlling it.

 

[Connor At CoralVue]

I have 2 4k gyres and the hydros we le. Yes you got what you need put together. I haven't been able to figure out how to use them when feeding but tbh I haven't really looked to hard.

Call us, beep us, if you need to reach us ;) Support.CoralVue.com, put us to the test! We can remote in w/ you, schedule a call, whatever it takes! Feed mode would just be scratching the surface of what is possible.

 

[Connor At CoralVue]

Looking at getting the ice cap 2k with hydros wave controller for a 65 gallon reef tank with corals . Going to out one on each side anybody have experiencing this ?

Well, I'm going to be quite biased, but the WaveEngine a very powerful tool. This industry is filled with a hodge podge of tech, it should work together seamlessly. So, we work closely with manufacturers to provide a controller for various brands of pumps. This would include IceCap Gyre, Reef Octopus OctoPulse, Maxspect Gyres, Reef Octopus VarioS...and more always being added. I'll link the compatibility list.

Traditionally, when you purchase a pump, you get a power supply, controller, and pump. The WaveEngine is the Controller, it is the Power Supply, so WE compatible pumps are sold as PUMP ONLY, at a big cost savings, then simply get the adaptor needed for the WE.

HYDROS is super modular. There are 2 WaveEngine models, the WaveEngineLE w/ 2 Pump Ports, and the WaveEnginev2 w/ 4 Pump Ports...how many pumps do you need? You can select either.

Now, you are in the HYDROS EcoSystem...that OG device WILL NEVER GO OBSOLETE, it has that command bus port, it will link to ANY of the other HYDROS Controllers to form a Collective. A Collective is multiple HYDROS Controls....very modular, build it to your needs!

https://www.coralvuehydros.com/is-my-pump-compatible/
Still have questions? Put our support team to the test at support.coralvue.com!

 

[urmaker]

Well, I'm going to be quite biased, but the WaveEngine a very powerful tool. This industry is filled with a hodge podge of tech, it should work together seamlessly. So, we work closely with manufacturers to provide a controller for various brands of pumps. This would include IceCap Gyre, Reef Octopus OctoPulse, Maxspect Gyres, Reef Octopus VarioS...and more always being added. I'll link the compatibility list.

Traditionally, when you purchase a pump, you get a power supply, controller, and pump. The WaveEngine is the Controller, it is the Power Supply, so WE compatible pumps are sold as PUMP ONLY, at a big cost savings, then simply get the adaptor needed for the WE.

HYDROS is super modular. There are 2 WaveEngine models, the WaveEngineLE w/ 2 Pump Ports, and the WaveEnginev2 w/ 4 Pump Ports...how many pumps do you need? You can select either.

Now, you are in the HYDROS EcoSystem...that OG device WILL NEVER GO OBSOLETE, it has that command bus port, it will link to ANY of the other HYDROS Controllers to form a Collective. A Collective is multiple HYDROS Controls....very modular, build it to your needs!

https://www.coralvuehydros.com/is-my-pump-compatible/
Still have questions? Put our support team to the test at support.coralvue.com!

I ended up going with maxspect cloud but im going to order a hydro wave controller

 

[areefer01]

I ended up going with maxspect cloud but im going to order a hydro wave controller

One thing to note is that if you connect the Maxspect Gyres to the Wave Engine you will be limited to the Wave Engines motor block speed. If you want to use the Wave Engine, and there isn't anything wrong with it once you get to understand the settings, I would suggest returning the MaxSpect Cloud if you can.

In short, go to your original Icecap / WE combo. No need to have duplicate controllers especially one you won't use.

 

[Dr. D]

Curious which adapter cable is used with an Icecap 4k gyre. It's not clear on the CoralVue site, though it does say the 4k is compatible with the WE.

 

[Connor At CoralVue]

Curious which adapter cable is used with an Icecap 4k gyre. It's not clear on the CoralVue site, though it does say the 4k is compatible with the WE.

It uses the IceCap Gyre 4K WaveEngine Pump Adaptor.

 

[Dr. D]

It uses the IceCap Gyre 4K WaveEngine Pump Adaptor.

That makes perfect sense and it's what I was looking for, but I don't see it on your website?

 

[Dr. D]

Also curious whether the Maxspect Jump Gyre Flow Pump MJ-GF316 is direct drive compatible?