MaxspectXF350 Gyre Pump and Controller Package Wavemaker

After deciding to add a gyre pump to my aquarium, I researched the market and decided on the Maxspect Gyre 350.Positive Decision Points• Maxspect seems to be the industry leader, having introduced gyre technology • The Gyre 350 appeared to be ideal for the resolution of inconsistent flow in several types of aquariums, especially mineNeutral Decision Point• The price point is in line with other manufacturers, so this was not a factorNeutral / Negative Decision Point• Bluetooth control is available at an extra cost. Other manufacturers include Bluetooth at no additional cost, but since I have several different brands of equipment, this was not a factor for me.The 300 Series is capable of many different functions, which, like other brands, are user-programmed into a controller. While pondering the doctrine of Caveat Emptor, allow these words to weigh heavily:Because so many functions are available, a great deal of knowledge is required on the part of the user. Typically, that information would be laid out in a user manual and would list clear and concise programming steps (hypothetically, to use program “A,”press the red button, then press the blue button).The manual for the Maxspect Gyre 300 series is an abomination. From grammatical errors to the lack of technical drawings to the blatant absence of instructions, this manual does not provide even a minimum of the instruction needed to competently operate the pump. This lack of information has the potential to cause harmful situations in the tank, e.g. injury to fish or corals. Not only does the manual leave one with unanswered questions, the user will probably never be able to take advantage of the full capability of the pump due to the absence of information.Many of these oversights are basic:• Failure to list nomenclature of items in the display• No explanation of parts functionality or how they are used • The unit features two halves which apparently can be programmed differently. There is no explanation of this functionality or why it might be beneficial• Several symbols carry an identifier, but there is no detail of their functionality• Some directives are given in the form of simple illustrations. These, however, are poor in resolution and give no detail as to programming procedures (in addition to illustrations, some meaning should be listed; hypothetically, push button until “x” appears, rotate wheel until “y” occurs)• Incorrect information (possibly due to a firmware update without updating the manual• Several similar instances are presentThere is an electronic version of the manual available on the Maxspect website, but it is a duplicate of the print version and gives no further information.Customer service is responsive, but not forthcoming with information unless a specific question is posed. There is also the need to register, register your device, and initiate service tickets before communication can be exchanged.Having decided to exchange this for a different brand, my first step was to narrow the selection by reviewing online the manuals of different manufacturers. That a process made the final decision very easy.Maxspect probably has a good unit, but it is difficult to tell. If accompanied by appropriate technical writing and illustration, Maxspect would have a great unit.

I bought this product to replace my original xf150 gyre. The quality is not the same and the water movement isn’t there. When I added the flow directors, which are a great idea, I lost that much more flow. The original gyres came in a solid tin container, these come in a cheap box. The new controller is fancy and has a lot of features. The new magnet is better than the original models. The quality just isn’t as good. Not as heavy or as solid. My tank is 7’ long and on full power this gyre can’t even push the water to the end of the tank whereas my old model could.

I bought this because i used an older model on another tank and i love it. This one comes with less parts but still has the same basic functionality and actually works better. When they say silent they meant it. I can't even hear the whine when it goes to 100% back to 0 like you can with the older models. I wont give it 5 stars because mine wouldn't work with my ICV6 until i got a firmware update on the model. Since this is still new it is too easy from them to pull the units and replace them with updated firmware or they could make it update off of your phone but no, you have to find a micro SD card(Which i haven't used one in about 3 years) to update off a file you download from their website.

I ordered 4 controllers and 8 xf350 pumps total. Out of those, 2 pumps and 1 controller was DOA and never turned on even once. And 2 weeks after using another set 2 pumps and 1 controller stopped working and never turned on again. This is not to mention that 2 others stopped working but a new firmware installed solved those 2 back to working status. So if you count those also, then 6 out of 8 controllers had issues but 75% fail rate but got it up to an astounding 50% fail rate thankfully. The menu screens have to be some of the worse least intuitive ways to set something, the have letters that represent nothing you would expect in the english language. Firmwares had issues and just stop the units from working. It feels like we are beta testing their products for free for them yet they charge an arm and a leg for these units. Carlos and Angie of CoralVue tried to help but 22 emails later nothing was done at all, at email 22 we got to did you try unplugging and unplugging it, common guys wow! About 16 of those emails we them just asking for receipts and retailer addresses of where and when and how I received the units. Bottom line, maxspect is no help and their support is Chinese native speakers, coralvue steps in to provide english service and they successfully helped with nothing at all. Support is a -10 out of 10. For a chinese pump with a super high fail rate they still charge top dollar for I'm still wondering what. I would seriously avoid.

easy to install. The plastic diverters are a little tricky to snap on and fall off when trying to adjust them. Not an issue once it’s all setup and tweaked. Dead silent.

Failed shortly after install.

I have one of these equipment with two pumps from the 200 series, specifically the FX250 has worked very well for me since I bought it in 2018. At that time, 2x pumps and the controller cost $500.Now it is time to replace it and as a satisfied and loyal customer, I decided to upgrade to the very expensive 300 series. To my surprise, the presentation is terribly bad and this time, although the same set is 100 dollars more expensive, there are no spare parts, if you want to have more the two pumps you must buy a derivation for additional external power. I am very disgusted with this company and dissatisfied, I have returned the entire set and I think it is time to say goodbye Maxspect.