Reef Factory released five key electrical products last year and if this latest launch is anything to go by, they’ll do the same in 2024. Named Smart Wave, the new, compact puck-shaped wave pumps are small, powerful, and energy-efficient, and will be released in three sizes – 4000lph/1046gph, 10,000lph/2642gph, and 13,000lph/3434gph.
If you’ve been reefing longer than five minutes you’ll probably recognize these pumps as the Jecod ALW10, 20, and 30, Wi-Fi-compatible wave pumps which are already established in the market. Reef Factory has had Jebao tweak these however to connect and be controlled by the all-important Smart Reef App, as well as changing the driver and the flow patterns.
Smart Wave will come with four modes – Constant, Sine, Square, and Random, as well as (we are guessing,) output control within those modes and hopefully, Feed mode.
What we think
The global aquarium pump manufacturing market is dominated by a few big companies like Jebao, Boyu, Zksj, and Sicce. As well as making pumps under their own brands and labels they also make pumps for other people. Buying OEM is a way to hit the ground running with a controllable DC pump that has already been tested in terms of reliability, the initial tooling has already been paid for, and being DC, the client can then add their particular flavor of control and functions.
10 years ago Jebao was a dirty word for some, as they shamelessly copied Kessil lights, Hydor, and Maxspect pumps, resulting in Maxspect and Hydor both sending warnings to the manufacturer.
Since then though Jebao has gained somewhat of a cult following with established reefers for its value and reliability in a host of situations (like Kalkwasser mixing,) and of the ones we’ve used and tested of late, they’ve been quiet, efficient, reliable and great value for money.
Many Reef Factory products are unique in design and manufacture, but for the Base Pump and Smart Wave they’ve taken a different OEM route while sprinkling in Reef Factory features and control via the all-encompassing Smart Reef App. This comes at a price versus a non-compatible Jecod model, but we know how addictive the Reef Factory platform and its gear are to its customers, and making their next wave pump purchase a Smart Reef compatible Smart Wave pump will be a popular and very logical step for many.
Pricing will be 180 euros/£165 for the Smart Wave 10, 190 euros/175 for the Smart Wave 20, and 220 euros/£199 for the Smart Wave 30.
Reef Factory says that Smart Wave will be available soon.
