Icecap Gyre reviews

[tweeter]

I am looking at getting a new Gyre pump. I have a Maxspect Gyre now and have had it for 2 1/2 yrs, but it's not working right, so need to replace it. These pumps are so expensive, so I am thinking of trying the Icecap. For those of you who have one, or had one in the past, what is your opinion of them? Thanks

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm currently using two and my uncle has one on his tank. Work great! Only issue I've ran into is I had one pump stop working one morning. Thought it burned out but it turns out that the end cap bearing was caked with calcium deposits. Soaked in vinegar and gave it a good scrub. Put it back together and she's back to spinning like a top :)

only other complaint is they can be noisy. This is for one of two reasons. 1.) They get noisy when they need to be cleaned. And 2.) They will get noisy if air gets trapped in the fins. Just turn the unit off, let the air escape, turn it back on and shes back to silent :)
Only other issue is you cannot sync ice caps like you can gyres. One controller controls one pump and you cannot link controllers to create waves or schedules.
Hope this helps :)

 

[Highgrade]

The Icecaps are notorious noise and other issues. If you're looking at Gyres I'd recommend the new Maxspect gyres.

 

[ecamden]

Had mine for a year or so and have no complaints. For the price I'm happy with them. They move a ton of water

 

[Shawna Solomon]

I love mine. It’s perfect for the amount of flow my tank requires. It can push water pretty far across the tank. I did run into a noise problem for a bit when it would go above 50 it seemed rather loud but one day it just stopped and hasn’t come back. I actually prefer my gyre over my Nero and wish I had just bought another. I have the ice cap 3k.

 

[HawaiianReef]

The Icecaps are notorious noise and other issues. If you're looking at Gyres I'd recommend the new Maxspect gyres.

I've been banging my head trying to decide on flow pumps on my new build. I've only run ac powerheads not by choice, but because I'm poor ;Wacky. I want 2 Maxspect 330. I've been considering ice caps at half the cost, and even Jebao (since they're all made in china) at even less.
You did it for me. I'm going to bite the bullet and order the maxspect. I really can't stand the noise of motors coming from my tanks.
Thanks for getting rid of my headache!

 

[Highgrade]

I've been banging my head trying to decide on flow pumps on my new build. I've only run ac powerheads not by choice, but because I'm poor ;Wacky. I want 2 Maxspect 330. I've been considering ice caps at half the cost, and even Jebao (since they're all made in china) at even less.
You did it for me. I'm going to bite the bullet and order the maxspect. I really can't stand the noise of motors coming from my tanks.
Thanks for getting rid of my headache!

I have the new XF350 and its dead silent, even at 100%. Been running it for 3 months now and no issues. Also it moves a ton of water. I'm about to pull the trigger on a couple more.

 

[HawaiianReef]

What's the flow like at the lowest setting?
I have a temporary 75 gal. set up right now, but my 125g (6') will be up in a couple months. Then the 75 is going down.
I want to run the new gyres on the 75, then move them over to the 125.
Do you think the Maxspect 350 will work on a 75g on its lowest setting?

 

[mattzang]

i have the 1k and i like it. if there's no other noise in the room you can sometimes hear the buzz of the engine going, but it's in my living room so whatevs it doesn't really bother me. and for whatever reason it's only some of the modes that will make a weird noise, so i just switch modes and experiment with something new

it moves water well and the controller is cool

i've only had it for like 3 months so no idea on longevity. i can't say i'm very good at taking things apart and cleaning them so hopefully it lasts awhile despite that

 

[Highgrade]

What's the flow like at the lowest setting?
I have a temporary 75 gal. set up right now, but my 125g (6') will be up in a couple months. Then the 75 is going down.
I want to run the new gyres on the 75, then move them over to the 125.
Do you think the Maxspect 350 will work on a 75g on its lowest setting?

The flow is quite powerful, I would say you should be able to run them at 10-30%, possibly higher depending on placement, your substrate and rockwork. I put the XF350 in a 36x363x20 with fiji pink sand an still at 30% I would have sand shifting all over. Given my rock scape is pretty open.

 

[cgdcinc]

I have had my 1000 for a week now in my 50 cube. Love it. It moves some serious water at 30%. Corals have adapted to it nicely. Love the adjustability on the controller as well as the directional fins on the pump itself. Very happy with the purchase so far.

 

[HawaiianReef]

I have had my 1000 for a week now in my 50 cube. Love it. It moves some serious water at 30%. Corals have adapted to it nicely. Love the adjustability on the controller as well as the directional fins on the pump itself. Very happy with the purchase so far.

The only problem for me on the ice caps, is I want to sync 2 together. Ice cap controllers only support one pump. Is this possible via apex?
Also they're not sinewave, but that not a big deal. But its nice to have.
At less than half the cost of the Maxpect 330, the price is really hard not to consider. I mean Really Hard.

 

[shred5]

My Icecaps are just as quiet as my Maxspect Gyres and for the money the best water mover out there. They are actually made by Maxspect.


With the Hydros wave Engine comes out you should be able to sync them.

 

[HawaiianReef]

My Icecaps are just as quiet as my Maxspect Gyres and for the money the best water mover out there. They are actually made by Maxspect.


With the Hydros wave Engine comes out you should be able to sync them.

The price on the hydros looks nice from what I've seen on youtube vids so far. But its said to be $350. That would put the ice caps with the hydros over the amount of the maxspects.

 

[dugthefish]

I have an icecap 3k, works great. Only time it ever makes noise is when air gets into it. Even then, a few taps or start/stops will bleed the air out and its back to near silent. Good buy, IMO.

 

[tweeter]

Thank you all for your input!! I'm going to give the Icecap a try. :)

 

[shred5]

The price on the hydros looks nice from what I've seen on youtube vids so far. But its said to be $350. That would put the ice caps with the hydros over the amount of the maxspects.

But you only need one power supply which eliminates cords. For me I have several systems next to each other so I can run 4 pumps off it eliminating 4 power supplies.
Cord management is key here for me because I have so many DC power supplies. I may end up running several hydros.

Seems like the Varios pumps will work too. Plus you get remote access.

I am guessing over time other DC pumps will be added since they mostly have the same hook ups.

I think for me this thing is the best value when it releases.

https://www.marinedepot.com/CoralVu...XYuNyMhcf3xmucAS0-p01hYBfSDxoZw4aAkDgEALw_wcB