Concerned about MP40 build Quality

[MikeD]

So I was working in the tank today and cleaning out the pumps and I noticed this amber stuff coming out of the wet part if the pump in my tank. I looked at it closely and saw it was coming out from inside if the housing. I carefully propped the back off (never had to do that before) and it was a disgusting rusted mess in there! Under a year ago I had upgraded to the mp40wes controller and now this! I was a bit surprised about what could be leaching out. Could it have been a reason for any of my recent bouts with algae (phosphates) or even some tank death that I haven't had in all my years in the hobby? Just concerned here. It's my first mp40 I purchased new of the two I own. But the last one was purchased less than a year ago so I'd hope that doesn't have the same issues. Has anyone here experienced this? The pump itself still functions though. But it shouldn't be considered 'normal' right? I'd be afraid if anything that goes into the tank that reacts this way especially since I'm extremely careful of what I put in. I guess I'll cc this in both echo tech and equip forums for advice.

 

[ca1ore]

Sorry, how old is the wetside? I have friend who I sometimes help with maintainance and none of his vortech pumps look like that.

 

[ReachTheSky]

These magnets are neodymium, right? If the protective coating is scratched or chipped and the iron beneath is exposed, it will rust pretty darn quickly.

But consider that it could also be algae or detritus build-up.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

MikeD-

Just from looking at the picture of your wet side I'm pretty sure it is a Gen1. It's actually been a while since I've even seen one since they were made nearly 10 years ago, very cool! Anyway, get in touch with our customer support and we'll get you back up in running as quickly as possible.

 

[critteral]

MikeD-

Just from looking at the picture of your wet side I'm pretty sure it is a Gen1. It's actually been a while since I've even seen one since they were made nearly 10 years ago, very cool! Anyway, get in touch with our customer support and we'll get you back up in running as quickly as possible.

Thats why I love these guys (just wish they were not so expensive )
To take care of a product that is 10 years old is awesome customer service!

 

[BlakDuc]

You get what you pay for!

 

[critteral]

Thats the truth, I have 2 MP60 and had them for many years. Ecotech has replaced both controllers for me a couple years ago with no questions asked. I did have one go out a couple of months ago and I do need to send them off for the upgrade and am saving up for that now.

 

[MikeD]

Well I'll find out on Monday. This pump isn't ten years old though I'll tell you that! We didn't even start our main build until 2008 and I couldn't afford a pump like this for quite some time after that. I did buy it new too. Unless the supplier had 'old stock' and sold as new. I bought either from dr foster smith, premium aquatics or marine depot at the time.

 

[mussel and hate]

You get what you pay for!

In this case that would be rust.

 

[BlakDuc]

And great customer service to take care of it. I have 2 MP10s and 2 MP40s and none of them have ever had an issue. All been running for a couple years.

 

[MarksReef]

you get what you pay for!

+1

 

[Tahiti]

I've had my MP10 for about a month now.

I hope it doesn't look like that eventually.

 

[evolutionZ]

wow, pays premium, gets rust!!!

 

[MarksReef]

wow, pays premium, gets rust!!!

And excellent customer service that is standing behind their product.

 

[buildinboats]

And excellent customer service that is standing behind their product.

Hmm, I don't see Ecotech offering to repair this pump under warranty.

 

[evolutionZ]

One of my 2 jebao wp25 broke down when i first purchased (lemon set) and my local agent did a 1 to 1 exchange. Did ecotech provide 1 to1 ?

 

[sirreal63]

One of my 2 jebao wp25 broke down when i first purchased (lemon set) and my local agent did a 1 to 1 exchange. Did ecotech provide 1 to1 ?

You are trying to compare a Gen 1 Vortech that is many years old, with the original wetside to a brand new Cheapo. Jebao did not offer you anything because they do not offer a warranty of any kind, your local guy did. Your Jebao would probably not last a year much less the many years this MP has lasted.

You have no point here, you are trying to compare apples to oranges. If your goal is try and cause problems then you will discover that will not be tolerated.

 

[MikeD]

Well, if it's something that was realized could happen later on and changed the design because of it, I sure hope that they could replace it at little to no charge. (Almost like a factory recall on a car) I mean if after warranty, wetsides start failing and leaching God knows what into tanks that can cause problems for the reef keeper, that's horrible for a big name company and at the price of these pumps. Then with the next generation, they 'fix it' by actually protecting the metal part from being exposed to saltwater (which is what it was supposed to be exposed to in the first place - not like reef keepers put them in battery acid overnight then complained about it..). I don't know. I just hope this $400+ pump becomes a $600+ pump etc. Hopefully, I'll get better news soon. Wetside still functions but it looks like a materials issue here which should always be taken care of. Perhaps it was a bad batch of plates for the magnet? Will Keep you guys posted.

 

[nikon187]

Hmm, I don't see Ecotech offering to repair this pump under warranty.

Why would it be replaced under warranty? they only have a yr warranty and it is clearly past that. Point is ecotech has excelent customer service

I still have gen 1 wet sides and they dont look like that but are cleaned frequently. Certainly isnt something that happens to all of them and that needed to be changed.
Running 8+ yrs

 

[critteral]

Mike,
did you speak with Ecotech yesterday?