Speedwave DC pumps?
 

I see there are a few people out there running these fairly new to the market DC pumps. I've been thinking of upgrading my return pump to something more efficient and quieter than my current mag 18 so I thought I'd see what your thoughts were. If you're currently running one of these pumps, let me know what you think as well as how quiet they run in comparison to other return pumps you may have used in the past.

I'm currently thinking of going with the SWDC 2640 pump as that would be an ideal replacement for my mag 18 seeing as these pumps are controllable and I could dial the flow back down to what the mag 18 was putting out if need be. Seeing as I'm now using my spare mag 18 as my main pump started giving off stray current, there is no time better than now to pick up a new pump I guess.

I've also read these pumps have a soft start after a power outage but do they come back on at the speed you had it set at prior to the power outage or does the controller lack memory and just come on at the lowest or highest speed?

Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Speedwave DC pumps?
 

No better time than now? Wait 6 weeks, it might be a better time :). I am. DC12000 by RLSS,
Dan

i agree, can't wait for the dc6000!

Didn't even know a new model was coming out. Thanks for the heads up gents!

I have both the DC3000 and DC5000. They are very quiet and the controllable speeds are way handier than I anticipated. There has been discussion on some forums about misaligned threads (on the intake side?) but threads on mine are fine all around. I ran mine on the Kill-A-Watt meter and at maximum speed and about 5' of head they use more power than their stated maximum but at the lower speeds they use less than published. In my application used in sumps as return and skimmer pumps, they have been trouble free for the few months I've had them. Compared to the Sedras and Mags I've used, they have less vibration/noise and much more efficient. The controllers seem to be interchangeable between the sizes too. I think they come back on to the last used speed setting after being unplugged but I use my return on the lowest setting so ill go verify and report back if its any different. It seems to me that the similarly rated GPH Sedras handled higher head pressures better than these but that's just a seat-of-the-pants impression. All in all I'm very pleased.

I'm waiting for these as well...

The threads on my 2640 were messed up. The included threaded piece that is used to mount the barb fitting threaded on all the way but my pvc threaded coupler I had to very carefully and forcefully put on and only got about 4 full turns. I doubt I could remove it I wanted to make sure it would stay on. I would not have attempted to run the pump externally. The pump is quieter than a mag 18.

In addition to the misaligned threads there were also issues with some of the Orings on the existing pumps. I have spoken directly with the guys at H20 systems to ensure these issues will be resolved with the next gen pumps. I have decided to wait for the new ones which I hope to see in a month or so.
Dan

I must have got my 3 pumps...I guess 4 if you count the RLSS 8 skimmer...after they resolved the issue with the threads. My pumps are all used in the sump so I don't know if that 'leaky seal' problem as already been addressed as well. I read somewhere that an orange O-ring is available and solves the external use issue. If this was a known defect I don't know why they weren't just included. Still, a pretty darned solid first attempt. I'm looking forward to seeing what the new models have in store.:biggrin:

i had to wait until my 2640 came into the store which was only a couple days ago so the thread problem still persists it seems. maybe only on certain models?

Ach,:doh: Speedwave. Mine are Waveline. I thought they were identical, just rebranded but apparently not. My bad.

what i've read online idicates you're right tho. waveline, speedwave and diablo all being the same. maybe mine is old stock somehow...

Price just dropped on these pumps SWDC1320 was $239 now only $168 and 2640GPH $210!! And I just bought on a month ago. :cry:

major price drops in the speedwaves just happened too fyi

lol just beat me to it :P

the internet machine told me that waveline is coming out with a DC20000 as well, due in the summer i believe. my upgrade pretty much hinges on their release.

i love the dc pump. On my skimmer the controller works great for a night light. no more sore knees!.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Looks like I would be best to wait a few weeks and see what the newer models have to offer seeing as there have been a few hiccups with the some of the older stock.

Overall, seems everyone is pretty happy with them however and I'm glad to hear they are quieter than the mag drive series:biggrin:

love my rlss 6i and its waveline 3000 pump...
just ordered a speedwave 2640 for 210$ for my return !!
O ring and thread are not an issue for me since I run it in the sump with barb hosing...

also anybody tried to retrofit one of these pumps to a reef octopus with the noisy psk-1000 sicce pumps ? (I have a RO xs200)...
that would be great...

If you hold a threaded pvc coupler steady and level and use some decent force you can get 3 or 4 full turns onto the outlet. Mine is on 4 and very tight. Far enough on to run in sump and still sleep at night. Love mine!

im running a 2640 on my tank internally at home , love these pumps. i run 3/4" lines from my pump and the smallest barb fitting they give you fits inside the pipe snuggly.

i run mine on speed 4 and have my return t'd off for a manifold if i ever plan to add something, just up the speed a bit.



at the store im running a few different dc pumps and skimmers, we just hooked up two externally externally and on a closed loop system , sched 40 adapters fit the threads perfectly and they do not leak one bit so far.we have both of them on a controller to run 30 sec back and forth.


the dc pumps do have a small humm to them but nothing compared to some of the heavy ac pumps of equal size.

Blog post about gen2 DC pumps, even a new 20000. Comments about the closed impeller design are interesting and good news for those running basement sumps:
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/blo...line-dc-pumps/


Dan

I just bought the Speedwave 1320 (or DC-5000 which ever name you want to call it) Im finding that if I run it anywhere past level 2, it gives off a high pitch hum which is almost unbearable to be around. With the tank in my living room and the sound im wondering if something is wrong? Im seriously considering going back to an AC motor because its so loud.

Wondering if anyone else has this issue?

Something is wrong for sure I'm running a dc-5000 and dc10000 on a tank in my home theater room and they are almost silent

i have been running a dc5000 for the better part of a year now and it is quiet as can be. Ther must be an issue with the pump if you are getting a sound at low speed.

when i have mine at full blast i can hear a slight humm but nothing that would travel more then a few feet and then not be audible. Mine is also externally mounted... so sound should be muffled even more if you have it in water. Do you have the base on it so that it is not vibrating against the sump bottom without the rubber feet?

Yes I have it mounted on the bottom of the sump using the base with the rubber feet and if you turn it up past level 2, the HUM travels from the front room of my house all the way to the back of the house and is VERY noticeable. Its so bad I actually had to close my bedroom door just to sleep last night and it was only Level 3.

Speedwave and Waveline are NOT the same. Waveline DC5000 is put out by H2O (RLSS.ca) while Speedwave is a direct competitor, some say a poorly made copy. There are new Waveline pumps due out shortly whereas I do not expect similar upgrades from Speedwave.


Dan

Waveline & Speedwave I believe are made by the same Chineese manufacture. I have 3 DC10000 & 2 DC5000 from Waveline & have compared them to the Speedwave pumps, they are the exact same pump in every way.

Try a sound dampening pad under the pump. I bought a couple from BRS and they do work but you need to put it in a ziplock if it's going into the sump.

Agreed, I have both speedwave and waveline in my possession, I believe there is zero chance these pumps are not made in the same factory. The only difference is the power supply for the speedwave is slightly larger in size and doesn't seem to heat up as much as the wavelines. For this reason I'd suggest the speedwaves over the wavelines.

Yes, same manufacturing plant, different companies contracting them to make very similar pumps. New pumps (4000, 6000, 12000 and 20000) are being made at a different manufacturing plant due to the issues at the original plant. There are some changes that Speedwave made as well, that may have affected some of the quality. I have spoken with the guys at H2O extensively about this, voicing concerns over the next gen pumps. I am pretty comfortable with purchasing the upcoming pumps and should have my hands on one of the first 12000's off the line. I will be doing an unofficial review on CanReef of mine when I get it... ('Unofficial' because H2O has not asked me to review it).
Dan


Dan

I am surprised that you have talked to the guys at H2o as I have heard there customer service is severally lacking.

I am looking forward to the larger pumps as I'm not 100% sure how the 10000 will preform on my 300 gal.

12000 being shipped yet?

I'm trying to track one down at this moment.;)

Did you get it yet?

dc 12000 not for a long while yet as they have not even approved a sample that has been sent yet. dc6000 are in canada and will be available within a couple weeks and 4000 shortly after the 6000s (from what i have been told).

Still waiting patiently on announcements on the 20000, seems like only a rumor at this time. Good thing I'm not in a rush.... yet :wink:

Francis