wav powerheads

robert teseo · Jul 9, 2017

about to pull the plug on the apex. I,m thinking of the set with 2 wave powerheads. any real issues with them?

Broadfield · Jul 9, 2017

I love mine! They are silent, can be angled(thus giving you more mounting options than the Vortechs), plug directly into the new Apex and of course are controlled through the Apex. I did have one go bad, but Neptune replaced it even though it was out of warranty. I also use one in my 65 gallon salt water container to keep it circulated.

What are the dimensions of your tank?

Bob Escher · Jul 9, 2017

I have a full Apex classic now with two MP10's love the vortechs but wondering if I should go for the new apex and delay the Wav's or just buy Wav's
Choices choices

Broadfield · Jul 10, 2017

Bob Escher said:
I have a full Apex classic now with two MP10's love the vortechs but wondering if I should go for the new apex and delay the Wav's or just buy Wav's
Choices choices

Hey Bob, what are the dimensions of your tank?

MaddyP · Jul 10, 2017

Broadfield said:
I love mine! They are silent, can be angled(thus giving you more mounting options than the Vortechs), plug directly into the new Apex and of course are controlled through the Apex. I did have one go bad, but Neptune replaced it even though it was out of warranty. I also use one in my 65 gallon salt water container to keep it circulated.

What are the dimensions of your tank?

Can you quantify your comment on them being silent? I've considered these over Vortechs as well, however, when I saw these in action the high-pitch hum was noticeable.

Bob Escher · Jul 10, 2017

Broadfield said:
Hey Bob, what are the dimensions of your tank?

45 gal cube

Broadfield · Jul 10, 2017

MaddyP said:
Can you quantify your comment on them being silent? I've considered these over Vortechs as well, however, when I saw these in action the high-pitch hum was noticeable.

Sorry, I should of said virtually silent. They have been tested to be as quiet or quieter than the MP40 Quiet Drives... which would be its direct competitor. The only noise I really notice, over ambient noise in my house, is if they are in Pipeline mode. You can hear it clicking on and off... which is typical. I do not run the mode anyway, but I have tried it out just messing around. Here is a dB video comparing the two:

Bob Escher said:
45 gal cube

The WAVs would probably be far too powerful in that tank... each WAV unit is as powerful, if not slightly more powerful, than a MP40.

MaddyP · Jul 10, 2017

Broadfield said:
Sorry, I should of said virtually silent. They have been tested to be as quiet or quieter than the MP40 Quiet Drives... which would be its direct competitor. The only noise I really notice, over ambient noise in my house, is if they are in Pipeline mode. You can hear it clicking on and off... which is typical. I do not run the mode anyway, but I have tried it out just messing around. Here is a dB video comparing the two:

The WAVs would probably be far too powerful in that tank... each WAV unit is as powerful, if not slightly more powerful, than a MP40.

Thank you for sharing the video. I wasn't aware a test had been done with these pumps! Hmm, now I'm second guessing my choice to stick with Vortechs...

Broadfield · Jul 10, 2017

MaddyP said:
Thank you for sharing the video. I wasn't aware a test had been done with these pumps! Hmm, now I'm second guessing my choice to stick with Vortechs...

No problem, I have owned both and both are amazing! So you can't really go wrong. However, I feel that they each have specific applications where one shines better than the other. For example, I would probably run Vortechs if I had a peninsula where the power heads would be mounted on the end with the overflow. Or if the tank was built into a wall and the only viewing panel was the front one. Otherwise, the WAVs work very well on the back glass since they can be angled... which is great when the tank is viewable from three sides. The WAVs are also considerably cheaper... especially if you have a new Apex.

Txdragonslayer · Aug 9, 2017

Broadfield said:
No problem, I have owned both and both are amazing! So you can't really go wrong. However, I feel that they each have specific applications where one shines better than the other. For example, I would probably run Vortechs if I had a peninsula where the power heads would be mounted on the end with the overflow. Or if the tank was built into a wall and the only viewing panel was the front one. Otherwise, the WAVs work very well on the back glass since they can be angled... which is great when the tank is viewable from three sides. The WAVs are also considerably cheaper... especially if you have a new Apex.

My only need is Neptune still doesn't make it easy to have a battery back up.

Sleepydoc · Aug 11, 2017

If you have an Apex, another advantage of the Neptune Wav pumps is that they connect with one-link cables (a proprietary 4-wire combined power and data cable Apex uses.) This frees up 120V outlets on your energy bar as well as reduces the cable clutter under your tank since you don't have additional power supplies & controllers or the Ecotech interface box.