Anyone have a Vortech mp40 they could rent me for a week??

[artkwan]

I have personally experienced this also, and I just started in this hobby. I bought the system used for a fair price, and did an upgrade on the controllers to the wireless kind to be able to do nutrient export mode, and yeah, I have messed up wet sides on the pumps. Live and learn. I am at the point at trying to decide what I should do, rebuild, or get new wetside assemblies.

Art

I am speaking more on the design of the wet side, they all use the same magnets and materials. The mp10 and mp60 practically have the same wet side design and the mp40 kept the older wet side design that has multiple parts that can fail. The mp10 and mp60 wetside has 3 component parts and the propeller shaft axis is supported by the cover which prevents the propeller from wobbling. It is much more stable when performing different modes. It only takes a small wobble to wear out the wet side on the mp40. What is worst is they upgraded the driver for the mp40 to do nutrient export mode but left the badly designed wetside on the pump. If you run the new mp40es in nutrient export mode, the wet side will not last very long. The plastic cover that holds the ceramic bearing in place tends to break and the magnet tend to rub against the back cover. You have to physically inspect the wetside for wear and tear in order to make your wet side last longer. I am speaking from experience.

 

[bimmer88]

hmmm.. strange that they changed out the defective wet side on the mp10 & mp60 and left it on the mp40... anyone know if there are plans for it to be changed?

 

[psykobowler]

I asked that question to ecotech in the sponsor section and they basically said the same thing. "we are not allowed to discuss anything pertaining to future products, etc". I wouldn't be surprised if they come out with a new mp40 soon with the upgraded wetside.

 

[bimmer88]

Are the parts interchangeable? Can I use the wet side from the other models with the mp40?

 

[psykobowler]

No. The mp40 has no common parts with the mp10 an mp60. I had multiple broken wetsides at one time. I ended up salvaging parts from 3 of them to make one good wetside. You really need a spare wetside when using the mp40.

 

[RonMidtownStomp]

It takes less than 5 minutes to rebuild and the kit is $20:
http://ecotechmarine.com/parts-store/

MP20/MP40 Wet-Side Maintenance Kit
ITEM#:MP140$20.00
QTY:
MP20/MP40 wet side maintenance kit consisting of two drive shaft screws, two drive shaft nuts, two washers, one drive shaft and one propeller.

I prefer that a lot to the problem I have with my Sicce pump where the impeller exploded and nobody sells replacements.

 

[artkwan]

Hi Ron -

In my situation, am I looking at a new wetside, in your opinion, or just a rebuild kit? The magnet is slightly scratched and covered in plastic that resulted from the rubbing on the back cover that approximates the glass.

The round plastic piece is also a bit beat up, as you may be able to make out in the attached photo, as this was bought used at the time.

Art

It takes less than 5 minutes to rebuild and the kit is $20:
http://ecotechmarine.com/parts-store/

MP20/MP40 Wet-Side Maintenance Kit
ITEM#:MP140$20.00
QTY:
MP20/MP40 wet side maintenance kit consisting of two drive shaft screws, two drive shaft nuts, two washers, one drive shaft and one propeller.

I prefer that a lot to the problem I have with my Sicce pump where the impeller exploded and nobody sells replacements.

 

[RonMidtownStomp]

Well the cover is $5 and the frame is $10. Ecotech answers the phone when you call them. It's not obvious to me from the pictures, but I'd just order the exact parts that you need. Do you know why it was rubbing? I would never buy a whole new wetside. The magnet is $50 and as long as the magnet can be salvaged you don't need the whole thing.

 

[psykobowler]

It takes less than 5 minutes to rebuild and the kit is $20:
http://ecotechmarine.com/parts-store/

MP20/MP40 Wet-Side Maintenance Kit
ITEM#:MP140$20.00
QTY:
MP20/MP40 wet side maintenance kit consisting of two drive shaft screws, two drive shaft nuts, two washers, one drive shaft and one propeller.

I prefer that a lot to the problem I have with my Sicce pump where the impeller exploded and nobody sells replacements.

Yeah, unfortunately the drive shaft screw, drive shaft nuts, washers, drive shaft and propeller you are mentioning are not the ones that break on the wetside. You really do not even have to "maintain" those. I have those spare parts from the other wetsides that broke. Again, it's the magnet, the plastic cover that holds the ceramic bearing and the plastic back cover that arktwan is showing that always break. Most of the time the screw fuses with the magnet and the wobbling causes the circular grooves that artkwan is showing on the back cover.

Yeah, the vortech mp40 parts are definitely readily available compared to sicce. They have to because they make additional money on those parts. Customer service is great too! They replaced all my wetsides without question for all 5 vortechs in their first year.

 

[psykobowler]

These work better. Just one pump is sufficient to cover a 180 gallon tank. View attachment 200929

 

[artkwan]

psykobowler -

So what you're saying, is, I DO need to get a new wetside, right? If I am going to go ahead and get a new magnet, and everything you are mentioning, I might as well get a brand new assembly stright from the factory.

I just assumed, that I could just clean the magnet side so that it is flat again, and maybe get everything else new, except the nozzle?

rats, the truth hurts, I guess

Art

Yeah, unfortunately the drive shaft screw, drive shaft nuts, washers, drive shaft and propeller you are mentioning are not the ones that break on the wetside. You really do not even have to "maintain" those. I have those spare parts from the other wetsides that broke. Again, it's the magnet, the plastic cover that holds the ceramic bearing and the plastic back cover that arktwan is showing that always break. Most of the time the screw fuses with the magnet and the wobbling causes the circular grooves that artkwan is showing on the back cover.

Yeah, the vortech mp40 parts are definitely readily available compared to sicce. They have to because they make additional money on those parts. Customer service is great too! They replaced all my wetsides without question for all 5 vortechs in their first year.

 

[psykobowler]

artkwan, ron is correct about just getting what is needed to be replaced not the whole wet side that cost $93. If the magnet is intact just like what ron said, don't replace it. Just replace the ones that are worn out like the plastic cover, etc. If the propeller, screw, drive shaft etc are ok, still spinning correctly, then just replace the worn out parts. The biggest expense is the magnet. If that is ok, meaning you can put the whole propeller assembly and it turns ok, then you do not need to replace it. Again, just the worn out parts. It might help if you take a picture of the magnet on both sides. I could tell if it needs replacing.

Glenn

 

[psykobowler]

Btw, over time the magnet swells. If you look at it, does the plastic covering of the magnet peel off? It happens over time. You could tell it is worn out by viewing the magnet on its side. It should be flat but if you see a bulge (concave) it means the plastic is on its way to burst or crack. It could be the reason why you have so much grooves on the back cover. Yeah, I have replaced the magnets too. I was never happy with it but it is way cheaper than getting a whole new wetside.

 

[artkwan]

I didn't want to take any chances and ordered two MP40 Wet-Side Maintenance Kits in addition to the replacement wet frames for both damaged MP40's for an almost new build. As far as the back covers, I ave access to very small rotary instruments, and was able to smooth off the back so things are fluch again. Put everything together and things are running like new again. At first the new shaft and screws had a hard time spinning against the ceramic bearings, but after fiddling with the nut as far as tightness goes, everything is just right.

Thanks again for all the responses and all the help. Sometimes when one doesn't know everything, it is easy to assume the whole thing has to get replaced.

With both MP40's running, it almost seems like there's TOO much flow. I know, I know... no such thing. I just have to get get used to all the powerful currents being generated by both pumps.

In your opinion, with the MP40wES kits, what has been the best "mode" that the corals like, whether it be LPS or SPS?