Royal Exclusiv 2025

[forestsofkelp]

Has anyone had recent experience with Royal Exclusiv? particularly the mini bubble kings and RDX pumps?

My current sump/plumbing has some small leaks that are slowly getting worse and I am just going to redo and upgrade the whole thing properly rather than continue to play whack a mole.

Ive always wanted an RE sump. I read the latest RDX pumps are chinese rebrands (fine, as long as they are quiet and long lasting), and that they have withdrawn from the US market (they still have a US store though). I am sure support is tricky if something goes wrong with the sump itself, but thats with any sump really...hard to ship one back. And I dont think the quality of the box itself has gone down.

What is appealing to me is a very nice, complete, all in one self contained package that opens up space under my cabinet rather than it looking like a mad scientists lab. I don't mind buying an extra pump (I always have extras on hand, especially for DCs), or even having to retrofit a pump in there eventually. Even shipping small parts from Germany isn't *that* big a deal; my current equipment rarely breaks and when it does I just order multiple backups (impeller, gaskets etc). But they seem to have parts stateside.

However what I will mind is *significantly* overpaying, or if the pumps are noisy, or if I need to replace them within a few years, or if the new skimmers they have aren't as good, or if it takes 2 months to get a new controller when it inevitably breaks.

I know they are expensive, and I dont think it's a magic sump or anything; it just seems to offer exactly what I want. I really just want to know if there is something I am missing here eg its not what its promised.

Ive had that issue with high end equipment before, where it was nice for a little while, but then using it and US support just wasn't up to my needs (or not oriented to the hobbyist)

 

[areefer01]

Royal Exclusive is working on their updated RD3 pumps now. Also made in Germany. Feel free to reach out to them via their web portal. I recently reached out after seeing that asking about it and how it relates in size to my current RD3 and they confirmed for me it is using the same size plumbing.

Anyway shoot them a message and see if the pumps availability meets your timeframe or what pumps they are using in their products today.

I know this doesn't answer your question other than I know they are working on their pumps to be made in Germany again.

 

[Pod_01]

Maybe of some value, I purchased the Bubble King Double Cone 130 skimmer with the RDX pump in 2022 and so far all is good.
Skimmer works and the pump has been very quiet. It is so quiet I need to look at the skimmer to make sure it is working.

Only issue I had is when I tried high pH Alk additives and the pump seized up due to calcium/carbonate buildup. The additive was dripped in close proximity to the pump.

 

[C_AWOL]

I have both the now discontinued rd3 230w (~8 years in operation) and the rd5 eco 200w (~3 years in operation) and both pumps are the most quiet pumps I own.

Between the two, the 3 is still noticably better built and I would opt for that if they are going to start manufactuering them again.

 

[mstgkillr]

Royal Exclusive is working on their updated RD3 pumps now. Also made in Germany. Feel free to reach out to them via their web portal. I recently reached out after seeing that asking about it and how it relates in size to my current RD3 and they confirmed for me it is using the same size plumbing.

Anyway shoot them a message and see if the pumps availability meets your timeframe or what pumps they are using in their products today.

I know this doesn't answer your question other than I know they are working on their pumps to be made in Germany again.

Do you have anymore information on this updated RD3 pump?

 

[mstgkillr]

I read the latest RDX pumps are chinese rebrands (fine, as long as they are quiet and long lasting), and that they have withdrawn from the US market (they still have a US store though).

Where did you hear they have withdrawn from the US market?

 

[areefer01]

Do you have anymore information on this updated RD3 pump?

No. Other than seeing RE talking about things on a youtube video and then emailing them nothing. RE said later this year as it is pending UL or something along those lines. You can shoot them an email via their portal. That is what I did as I was curious of the body and plumbing size since I have an RD3 already.

 

[ReefCheef]

I have a full Dreambox 3 with filter fleece. My skimmer pump went bad after 4 years and it has been difficult to replace. Debating buying one of the new Chinese X pumps, but I hear they are very cheap and it wont match my dreambox controller board. The company has gone downhill since Klaus sold it in 2021, but still way better than any American reef manufacturer, besides maybe MRC. RE has had good customer service, particularly when you speak to the German team directly. After owning a dreambox, I dont think id ever do another tank without one. For a few thousand dollars more than a normal sump it's like having a Ferrari in your living room.

 

[Robmbush]

I had a terrible experience with MRC. Bought an ORCA 2 and the first body had bubbles in the main glue joints, they sent me a replacement that poorly fit with the existing pump and motor assembly and it ended up failing at the box body after a few years. They wanted to sell me a new body for more money than I originally paid for a full skimmer. Ended up buying a bubbleking 250 instead and the MRC is sitting in storage potentially to be repaired one day. I initially had good interactions with Raj but then had a really poor experience with Trevor and would never buy anything from them again due to that. But it seems customer service is terrible at Royal Exclusive USA too and I wouldn't touch the Chinese re-branded pumps.

 

[areefer01]

But it seems customer service is terrible at Royal Exclusive USA too and I wouldn't touch the Chinese re-branded pumps.

Did you reach out via their portal or to a specific US rep? I have gone through their web portal and usually get a response between 24 and 48 hours and they answer my question.

With regards to the rebrand, I agree. I have not installed my RD3 as a result as I typically have one spare and in this case I don't. I bought it then they got discontinued - bad timing. Anyway I had reached out to them a month or so back and they said they sourced parts in Germany again and should be made there. No more out of China. Did not give me an ETA but lead me to believe no more rebrands.

Not sure if that was just telling me what I wanted to hear so not trying to spread misinformation. I've been meaning to reach out again to try and get an update.

 

[Robmbush]

Did you reach out via their portal or to a specific US rep? I have gone through their web portal and usually get a response between 24 and 48 hours and they answer my question.

With regards to the rebrand, I agree. I have not installed my RD3 as a result as I typically have one spare and in this case I don't. I bought it then they got discontinued - bad timing. Anyway I had reached out to them a month or so back and they said they sourced parts in Germany again and should be made there. No more out of China. Did not give me an ETA but lead me to believe no more rebrands.

Not sure if that was just telling me what I wanted to hear so not trying to spread misinformation. I've been meaning to reach out again to try and get an update.

My communication was with royal exclusive usa regarding stuff i ordered. They sent me a used rd3 skimmer impeller when I ordered something new from the "spare parts" page. So its been with the email addresses provided as part of my order but I have not gotten any response. Will try Germany if I don't get anywhere or do a charge back on them if they won't communicate. Luckily my pump is working and I have a full spare pump as well. The new version the pumps look like everyone else's pump body. Likely sourced from the same place as ecotec vectras ect.

 

[Pod_01]

The new version the pumps look like everyone else's pump body. Likely sourced from the same place as ecotec vectras ect.

Hmmm…. If it is something like Vectra that would be China. I owned the Vectra S1 and the pump died after 3 years, not impressed .

On the other hand I did end up with the Chinese rebranded pump on my Bubble King skimmer and so far 4+ years all is working fine.

 

[Robmbush]

Hmmm…. If it is something like Vectra that would be China. I owned the Vectra S1 and the pump died after 3 years, not impressed .

On the other hand I did end up with the Chinese rebranded pump on my Bubble King skimmer and so far 4+ years all is working fine.

I've burned threw a few M1, M2, L1, L2 myself over the years. Not bad pumps but they seem to be good for 3-5 years at best. Im running a various 10 as my return currently from a basement to main level and no longer running vectra pumps. No idea if varoius will give more years of service. I've got a new in box speedy 3 100w hp flow that will be my return for my 420g reef savcy being planned/built that will be in the basement along with my sump room. Will be using abyzz pumps for closed loop flow on that build. Its crazy to me that royal exclusive which seemed to be a super premium brand would throw that away to be a run of the mill Chinese pump reseller but companies do crazy stuff especially when they get bought I thought the speedy 3 was the pump on the skimmer until just recently? That one was still being made in Germany I think. My supermarine 250 from 2 years ago is using the speedy 3 1500L. The eco and X models along with the rd5 I think is the new stuff.

 

[Robmbush]

Super premium German pump followed by two Chinese pumps I do believe... if it looks and is priced like a Chinese pump...

 

[RobertK]

I bought two Red Dragon 5 Eco 25W pumps direct from Royal Exclusiv. I was surprised to find that the country of origin ("Made In ...", "Assembled In ...", etc.) is not stated anywhere on the pump, controller or the packaging. The power supply was made in China which is not surprising. Aren't they required to have the country of origin clearly labeled on the product and/or packaging? The only thing close is the following in the instruction manual, but I don't think that necessarily means it was made in Germany:

I've emailed the company about this, hopefully I'll get a reply.

 

[mfinn]

Talking with Scott Leif at Royal Exclusiv USA he said this about where the Red Dragon pumps are made;

Yep. Controllers are assembled in Germany. Motor blocks are potted in Germany as well. I think they have the injection molding for the motor blocks done overseas. We CNC cut our own pump heads and rotors at the factory. The rare earth magnets are sourced by a company out of Germany as well..

Scott​

The power supplies are sourced from overseas. I believe they are produced in Taiwan

 

[RobertK]

Talking with Scott Leif at Royal Exclusiv USA he said this about where the Red Dragon pumps are made;

Yep. Controllers are assembled in Germany. Motor blocks are potted in Germany as well. I think they have the injection molding for the motor blocks done overseas. We CNC cut our own pump heads and rotors at the factory. The rare earth magnets are sourced by a company out of Germany as well..

Scott​

The power supplies are sourced from overseas. I believe they are produced in Taiwan

Thanks for that info, mfinn. Power supply says Made in China (by a Taiwan-based company); that is the only piece in the box that has country of origin labeled.

 

[RobertK]

Talking with Scott Leif at Royal Exclusiv USA he said this about where the Red Dragon pumps are made;

Yep. Controllers are assembled in Germany. Motor blocks are potted in Germany as well. I think they have the injection molding for the motor blocks done overseas. We CNC cut our own pump heads and rotors at the factory. The rare earth magnets are sourced by a company out of Germany as well..

Scott​

The power supplies are sourced from overseas. I believe they are produced in Taiwan

OK, I also talked to Scott at RE USA, very friendly and helpful conversation. He told me the same thing that he told mfinn - their pump motors and controllers for the RD5 and RDX pumps are made in Germany. The injection molded pump housings are made overseas, which is probably why they might look like some Made in China pumps from a different company. The RD3 was discontinued because they could no longer get the internals for the motors and controllers from their European suppliers. He said there will be a RD3.1 series at some point but he does not know when. He does not know why they don't put Made in Germany on their pumps.