High Tide Aquatics

Where to buy MaxSpect rotor shafts?

JVU

JVU

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I have 2 of the previous generation (from 2023) MaxSpect Gyre XF-350 pumps. For both of them, they have intermittently been locking up recently. I did a deep clean and noticed both of the rotor shafts (the magnetic spinny thing in the middle of the motor) are breaking. One is fully broken open with exposed metal and the other has bulging suggesting the same process. So, basically, they are crap quality.
I have been searching for the shaft replacement parts and not finding them anywhere. CoralVue says they no longer support MaxSpect. MaxSpect isn’t replying to my messages and seems to have very limited customer support, if any.

I found the correct part on CoralVue’s site, but can’t find it actually for sale anywhere. They call it “Maxspect Gyre XF350 Replacement Shaft Set (OLD Version)” with a SKU of GP-350-SFT. Anyone have a lead on how to buy parts like this?

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And as a ranty aside, when I paid the premium price for these, I thought I was getting a premium product from a premium company. Having them just be yet another Chinese company (HQ in HK, made on mainland) selling mediocre hardware with limited or no support is making me feel had. At least when CoralVue did their support, there was support and parts. A company that doesn’t sell replacement rotor shafts that are easy to find for saltwater pumps is just not even trying.

I bought what seems like the equivalent of these units from Jebao, ECP-180M on Amazon. I normally am happy to pay more for a better product/company but apparently that’s not an option anymore.

[update]- see my post below for the more informed and less ranty version :)
 
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CaseyP said:
Aperature became the exclusive north american distributor for Maxspect a couple years ago. Maybe BRS can help get the parts
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Thanks for the lead Casey. I contacted BRS customer support (they are still awesome by the way) and they were able to find the replacement part for me. They sell it, but only if you go through customer service (not on the public facing site). It’s $58 for the rotor shaft (x2 for me). Kinda pricey, but at least available. I haven’t decided if I’ll get them and continue with these gyres vs switch brands yet. The new Jebao’s are coming tomorrow so I can compare.
 
JVU said:
Thanks for the lead Casey. I contacted BRS customer support (they are still awesome by the way) and they were able to find the replacement part for me. They sell it, but only if you go through customer service (not on the public facing site). It’s $58 for the rotor shaft (x2 for me). Kinda pricey, but at least available. I haven’t decided if I’ll get them and continue with these gyres vs switch brands yet. The new Jebao’s are coming tomorrow so I can compare.
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Yeesh that is pricey considering you paid a premium.

I actually just bought a pair of XF350 last week because I needed the flexibility of independent flow direction with the new flow directors. Because of the reviews here and there about them seizing up after the 1-year warranty period, I bought a 3-year warranty through a third party for $35. Hopefully they cover situations like this.
 
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BRS saved the day :).

I had the same issue and bought them while I was in Germany - same high price though. And I needed the newer type shafts.

So far, I had actually only one shaft breaking up like that (used four of them simultaneously for a while). I continue to recommend to not use citric acid for cleaning these wave makers. Use sulfamic acid instead, specifically for cleaning the motor (including shaft).

These gyres are peerless in terms of performance and cost. I would not call them a premium product though as they are rather cheap (for what they do) if not bought with a controller. Compare them with the less impressive MP40s and they seem to be a steal :).

I am curious how the Jebaos will do, so please keep us posted. I cannot imagine their shaft will hold long and lets see how their magnet holds on the glass.
 
I’ve been running two older wify scp 180’s on a 6x2 the past 4+ years..I don’t link them together or use wify basically set it and forget it! Every few months scrub with toothbrush and twist the shaft around so the coraline doesn’t fuse together..Think Ive only taken them out twice to knock off pesky large vermitieds.. Other then that zero issues.. I have them set on continuous power no variables which I think adds to their longevity vs intermittent..
I gave them a shot thinking they would only last maybe two years due to their price point but still quiet as a mouse working great knock knock!!
All the models are pretty much built the same just upgraded controllers over the years.. Looks like you have the better controller!

SCP - Original, "analog" controller
MCP - First real "wifi" controller
ACP - Improved wifi controller
ECP - The best version of the wifi controller for both setups
DCP - This is the newest version that's only been out for a couple months. Switched from wifi to Bluetooth with this one.
 
PjFish said:
I’ve been running two older wify scp 180’s on a 6x2 the past 4+ years..I don’t link them together or use wify basically set it and forget it! Every few months scrub with toothbrush and twist the shaft around so the coraline doesn’t fuse together..Think Ive only taken them out twice to knock off pesky large vermitieds.. Other then that zero issues.. I have them set on continuous power no variables which I think adds to their longevity vs intermittent..
I gave them a shot thinking they would only last maybe two years due to their price point but still quiet as a mouse working great knock knock!!
All the models are pretty much built the same just upgraded controllers over the years.. Looks like you have the better controller!

SCP - Original, "analog" controller
MCP - First real "wifi" controller
ACP - Improved wifi controller
ECP - The best version of the wifi controller for both setups
DCP - This is the newest version that's only been out for a couple months. Switched from wifi to Bluetooth with this one.
Click to expand...
The 180s look interesting, but they seem to be only coming with a controller these days (ECP?).

Unfortunately, they do not work with the Hydros ecosystem - Only Maxspect / Icecap and Octo Pulse do.
 
Good to hear you figured it out. My experience with gyres is it really seems like they're all just white labeling the same equipment. The icecap, red sea, and jebao gyres I have all look to be the same and the parts have been interchangeable. Specifically the little rubber gaskets for holding things together are exact mirrors which means the pump attachments are which mean the fan is which ...

The only difference I've seen is the controllers. They even all seem to sound the same.

And fwiw, the jebao ones work great.
 
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[edit/update]- So after learning more about the current state of MaxSpect support, I wanted to update here since I went prematurely ranty above in my second post.

MaxSpect support is handled by Aperture through their distribution deal. Functionally this means BRS support, which remains high quality. Not small-business flexible like they used to be, but at least large-business professional and available. Interestingly BRS support is now called “Aperture Support Group” in their bylines and it looks like they are the support for all of the Aperture-owned brands as well as the brands they don’t own but distribute for (like MaxSpect).

They are still real people, speaking English with quick understanding of issues (none of the repeating back what you just said and then transferring you madness), based in the US (Minnesota), and the ones I’ve interacted with are hobbyists who get it. When I submitted a request for customer support through MaxSpect’s website, initially it seemed like it went nowhere but someone from BRS support did email me about a day later. Mind you I was already frustrated because this was after a couple days wasted with internet searches getting me nowhere and with CoralVue (who still looks like they provided MaxSpect support online).

When support emailed me back, I had already gotten through by calling BRS directly as I mentioned above, but still just to keep myself honest here, 24h turnaround for email support requests is pretty good.

I still think charging so much for the rotor shaft is ridiculous, and making it hard to find is inexcusable, especially since it is obviously designed poorly and is the key failure point. Why doesn’t BRS just sell it on their public facing site? But the BRS Support Aperture Support was good once I got to it.
 
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richiev said:
Good to hear you figured it out. My experience with gyres is it really seems like they're all just white labeling the same equipment. The icecap, red sea, and jebao gyres I have all look to be the same and the parts have been interchangeable. Specifically the little rubber gaskets for holding things together are exact mirrors which means the pump attachments are which mean the fan is which ...

The only difference I've seen is the controllers. They even all seem to sound the same.

And fwiw, the jebao ones work great.
Click to expand...
I did not have the same experience. They are the same design but the quality and dissembling differs between the icecap I have and maxspect, at least the 350.
 
JVU said:
[edit/update]- So after learning more about the current state of MaxSpect support, I wanted to update here since I went prematurely ranty above in my second post.

MaxSpect support is handled by Aperture through their distribution deal. Functionally this means BRS support, which remains high quality. Not small-business flexible like they used to be, but at least large-business professional and available. Interestingly BRS support is now called “Aperture Support Group” in their bylines and it looks like they are the support for all of the Aperture-owned brands as well as the brands they don’t own but distribute for (like MaxSpect).

They are still real people, speaking English with quick understanding of issues (none of the repeating back what you just said and then transferring you madness), based in the US (Minnesota), and the ones I’ve interacted with are hobbyists who get it. When I submitted a request for customer support through MaxSpect’s website, initially it seemed like it went nowhere but someone from BRS support did email me about a day later. Mind you I was already frustrated because this was after a couple days wasted with internet searches getting me nowhere and with CoralVue (who still looks like they proved MaxSpect support online).

When support emailed me back, I had already gotten through by calling BRS directly as I mentioned above, but still just to keep myself honest here, 24h turnaround for email support requests is pretty good.

I still think charging so much for the rotor shaft is ridiculous, and making it hard to find is inexcusable, especially since it is obviously designed poorly and is the key failure point. Why doesn’t BRS just sell it on their public facing site? But the BRS Support Aperture Support was good once I got to it.
Click to expand...
Good to know that someone is still doing customer support for these. Thanks for sharing. Has the email address for the support changed? from BRS to Aperture?
 
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