Speedwave DC-5000 not working

HowieB · 12/02/2013, 07:38 PM

Hi all, I came home and found my pump not working. I took it apart, cleaned it but still nothing. I've had it about 5 months. Any body else have bad experience with these pumps, or is it just a fluke. My old Eheim worked for 3 years without a problem. I needed a bigger pump to run a couple of reactors so I got the DC-5000. Now I need to decide whether to get another DC-5000 or find another brand. My plumbing is all set up to work with this pump (1-1/4 ID hose). What do you think?

adam87 · 12/02/2013, 10:08 PM

Did you look at the pump's power supply light? If its off, then its a dead power supply. I have 10000, and the power supply only lasted less then two months. You can a new one from newegg or other computer parts sites. I got my from newegg for $18.

HowieB · 12/02/2013, 10:16 PM

The green LED light on the power supply is on, and the led lights on the speed control are also on. I took the pump apart and the impeller and shaft are spinning freely.

panoob · 12/02/2013, 10:16 PM

is this a common phenomenon for dc pumps?

HowieB · 12/03/2013, 10:05 AM

Panoob- I'm trying to find out if this is a common occurrence. I see now that there is a "Gen 2" that supposed to be better. I'd like to stay with a pump that has a 1-1/4" outlet so I don't have to change my plumbing,

sirreal63 · 12/03/2013, 10:32 AM

Howie, did you get the Speedwave from Premium Aquatics? If so contact them, they will make it right.

The common occurrence with these Chinese import pumps is the crappy power supply, next it is the crappy controller and lastly the pump. Typically the pump seems to be better quality than the power supply and controller, but like with any Chinese import product, it is a gamble on whether the one you got will live a long life or a short one. Quality control isn't their best attribute, making a cheap product is.

Vinny Kreyling · 12/03/2013, 11:30 AM

Adam87-

Can you give us a part # from New Egg for the controller?
Thanks in advance.

adam87 · 12/03/2013, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny Kreyling

Adam87-

Can you give us a part # from New Egg for the controller?
Thanks in advance.

Bestek BTA09H1 Universal Notebook AC Power Adapter

burban94 · 12/04/2013, 08:35 PM

I had a speedwave 5000 die on me about a month ago. Tested it against a good power supply and controller with no luck. I got mine from aquacave. Called them back for warranty service but was told you have to deal with the manufacturer for warranties. Can't remember the actual manufacturer off hand, but they were very helpful in getting me a replacement pump. Funny thing is now I have had my other ( one return, one skimmer) pump die on me lol.

FWIW I did read somewhere that there might be a faulty internal heat sensor in some of these units.

rhinonm · 12/05/2013, 03:28 PM

My dc 5500 just died on me yesterday. Lights on controller but no flow. Dang.

rhinonm · 12/05/2013, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhinonm

My dc 5500 just died on me yesterday. Lights on controller but no flow. Dang.

FYI I bought this from salty supply and I just contacted them. they said they would send another newer model dc 6000 right away. They told me to discard the broken one. No manufacture hassle, no shipping just great service. I am amazed!

jkcoon · 12/06/2013, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhinonm

FYI I bought this from salty supply and I just contacted them. they said they would send another newer model dc 6000 right away. They told me to discard the broken one. No manufacture hassle, no shipping just great service. I am amazed!

Wow... Excellent service... Thanks for sharing, I'll be sure to spend some dough with salty supply someday soon... Ya gotta reward customer service like that.. Sadly it's hard to find these days

The the previous poster, not in the least shocked that Aquacave was no help... Ordered from them once, but wouldn't use them again... Just my $.02

2k3sgm · 12/06/2013, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhinonm

FYI I bought this from salty supply and I just contacted them. they said they would send another newer model dc 6000 right away. They told me to discard the broken one. No manufacture hassle, no shipping just great service. I am amazed!

This is good to know, I just got a Waveline DC10000 II from them.

Timber77 · 12/07/2013, 09:21 PM

Seems to be a lot of problems with the chinese dc flow pumps. The german ones are much better.

Ron99 · 12/09/2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timber77

Seems to be a lot of problems with the chinese dc flow pumps. The german ones are much better.

True. The Chinese ones are popular because they are a fraction of the price of the German ones. It would be nice if there was a middle ground. Bit better quality pumps at a midrange price.

raynist · 04/19/2014, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burban94

I had a speedwave 5000 die on me about a month ago. Tested it against a good power supply and controller with no luck. I got mine from aquacave. Called them back for warranty service but was told you have to deal with the manufacturer for warranties. Can't remember the actual manufacturer off hand, but they were very helpful in getting me a replacement pump. Funny thing is now I have had my other ( one return, one skimmer) pump die on me lol.

FWIW I did read somewhere that there might be a faulty internal heat sensor in some of these units.

Hi,

Mine just died, can you find the manufacturer for this or contact info?

Thanks
Ray

Klaus Jansen · 04/19/2014, 01:22 PM

Its better, the manufacturer used industry standard for the electronic components for DC pumps, because pumps are extremely important parts for a saltwater aquarium.
We can order Components and a complete PCB-Card for DC Pumps for maybe 15.- Dollar in China, versus 125.- Euro for a German made PCB-Card includet tested electronic-components...

You become, what you pay...

best regards .. .Klaus

Ron99 · 04/21/2014, 06:04 PM

IME, the pumps themselves are reasonably reliable. But the power supplies are definitely sub par and the weak link. I was able to get a good deal on a new pump missing its power supply and purchased one of the universal laptop power supplies to run it. I'm hoping that makes it far more reliable.

Not many people can afford a $500 or $900 for a return pump so Red Dragon DCs are not a viable option for your average reefer.

12/02/2013, 07:38 PM	#1
HowieB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LaMirada, California Posts: 393	Speedwave DC-5000 not working Hi all, I came home and found my pump not working. I took it apart, cleaned it but still nothing. I've had it about 5 months. Any body else have bad experience with these pumps, or is it just a fluke. My old Eheim worked for 3 years without a problem. I needed a bigger pump to run a couple of reactors so I got the DC-5000. Now I need to decide whether to get another DC-5000 or find another brand. My plumbing is all set up to work with this pump (1-1/4 ID hose). What do you think? __________________ 120G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 120G Starfire, BRS dosers, Speedwave DC10000II pump, Aquamaxx skimmer, Reefkeeper Elite, 1 Vortech, , MR1 Phosphate reactor, ATI Sunpower 6x54

12/02/2013, 10:16 PM	#3
HowieB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LaMirada, California Posts: 393	The green LED light on the power supply is on, and the led lights on the speed control are also on. I took the pump apart and the impeller and shaft are spinning freely. __________________ 120G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 120G Starfire, BRS dosers, Speedwave DC10000II pump, Aquamaxx skimmer, Reefkeeper Elite, 1 Vortech, , MR1 Phosphate reactor, ATI Sunpower 6x54

12/03/2013, 10:05 AM	#5
HowieB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LaMirada, California Posts: 393	Panoob- I'm trying to find out if this is a common occurrence. I see now that there is a "Gen 2" that supposed to be better. I'd like to stay with a pump that has a 1-1/4" outlet so I don't have to change my plumbing, __________________ 120G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 120G Starfire, BRS dosers, Speedwave DC10000II pump, Aquamaxx skimmer, Reefkeeper Elite, 1 Vortech, , MR1 Phosphate reactor, ATI Sunpower 6x54

12/03/2013, 10:32 AM	#6
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Howie, did you get the Speedwave from Premium Aquatics? If so contact them, they will make it right. The common occurrence with these Chinese import pumps is the crappy power supply, next it is the crappy controller and lastly the pump. Typically the pump seems to be better quality than the power supply and controller, but like with any Chinese import product, it is a gamble on whether the one you got will live a long life or a short one. Quality control isn't their best attribute, making a cheap product is. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

12/05/2013, 03:28 PM	#10
rhinonm Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Rio Rancho NM USA Posts: 302	My dc 5500 just died on me yesterday. Lights on controller but no flow. Dang. __________________ 180g 60x35x20 Rimless, 48" Sunpower, 5000 SRO Skimmer, 40" Advanced Acrylics Sump Current Tank Info: 200g SPS

12/02/2013, 10:08 PM	#2
adam87 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IL Posts: 812	Did you look at the pump's power supply light? If its off, then its a dead power supply. I have 10000, and the power supply only lasted less then two months. You can a new one from newegg or other computer parts sites. I got my from newegg for $18.

12/02/2013, 10:16 PM	#4
panoob Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 14	is this a common phenomenon for dc pumps?

12/03/2013, 11:30 AM	#7
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Adam87- Can you give us a part # from New Egg for the controller? Thanks in advance.

12/04/2013, 08:35 PM	#9
burban94 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 80	I had a speedwave 5000 die on me about a month ago. Tested it against a good power supply and controller with no luck. I got mine from aquacave. Called them back for warranty service but was told you have to deal with the manufacturer for warranties. Can't remember the actual manufacturer off hand, but they were very helpful in getting me a replacement pump. Funny thing is now I have had my other ( one return, one skimmer) pump die on me lol. FWIW I did read somewhere that there might be a faulty internal heat sensor in some of these units.

12/07/2013, 09:21 PM	#14
Timber77 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 754	Seems to be a lot of problems with the chinese dc flow pumps. The german ones are much better.

04/19/2014, 01:22 PM	#17
Klaus Jansen RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,256	Its better, the manufacturer used industry standard for the electronic components for DC pumps, because pumps are extremely important parts for a saltwater aquarium. We can order Components and a complete PCB-Card for DC Pumps for maybe 15.- Dollar in China, versus 125.- Euro for a German made PCB-Card includet tested electronic-components... You become, what you pay... best regards .. .Klaus Last edited by dc; 04/25/2014 at 04:51 AM.

04/21/2014, 06:04 PM	#18
Ron99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: White Rock, BC, Canada Posts: 176	IME, the pumps themselves are reasonably reliable. But the power supplies are definitely sub par and the weak link. I was able to get a good deal on a new pump missing its power supply and purchased one of the universal laptop power supplies to run it. I'm hoping that makes it far more reliable. Not many people can afford a $500 or $900 for a return pump so Red Dragon DCs are not a viable option for your average reefer.