Concerned about my 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.

 

[AcroporAddict]

No way that is normal. I have MP40s I have owned for 5+ years, and I have never seen that in any of mine. You should contact EcoTech and inquire with Customer Service. They might swap you out a replacement just so they can examine your rusted magnet. Get it out of your tank either way.

I have literally spent thousands with EcoTech, totaling eight Radion G1 lights, two Radion Pros, six MP60s, four MP40s, four Battery Backups, and a ReefLink. Believe me, I have had a couple product issues through the years.

No company builds a perfect product 100% of the time, but very few take care of their customers like EcoTech does. EcoTech Marine has exemplary customer service, the best I've ever had from a reef equipment company, period. I guarantee you they don't want that rusty wet side in your tank any more than you do.

 

[MikeD]

Concerned about my MP40 build quality

I hope so. I've loved these vortech pumps and were definitely worth the investment I put into them! I mean c'mon, it's almost 500 per pump! But yeah, this really had me concerned. It's currently not in the tank BC of this.

But has anyone else had this problem in the past? If so, has there been any resolution or an official and inexpensive 'fix' for this?

 

[Doug7110]

I know their was a issue in the uk with a batch of them which had the same problem if memory serves me correct they replaced them

 

[ghostman]

This may be a stupid question, but is it possibly GFO that escaped from your filter system? I've had GFO escape and collect near the magnets, certainly not to that extent though. Just asking.

 

[EcoTech Marine]

MikeD-

As I said in your other thread, this pump is a Gen1 which is different than current pumps because it has a vapor deposited plastic seal over the magnet versus a thick injection molded plastic seal. You can also see that it uses a 316SS screw through the center whereas current MP40 wet sides are all plastic. It's been quite a long time since the Gen1 MP40's were sold.

Get in touch with our customer support on Monday and we'll get back up and running.

T

 

[LittleBurger]

I got a mp40wes purchased in 2012. It should be a new model. It stopped spinning with the led on the controller indicating wet side jam.
I took to my service centre n when he opened up the back cover of the wet side. Saw tat a quadrant of the magnet was bloated and all the reddish stuff like yours. My service centre guy took a pic n said would get in touch with Asia distributor.

 

[cakemanPA]

My old style wetside magnet did that too. I have had zero issues with the newer style magnets on my MP10's or 40's.

 

[MikeD]

I got a mp40wes purchased in 2012. It should be a new model. It stopped spinning with the led on the controller indicating wet side jam.
I took to my service centre n when he opened up the back cover of the wet side. Saw tat a quadrant of the magnet was bloated and all the reddish stuff like yours. My service centre guy took a pic n said would get in touch with Asia distributor.

What do you mean by 'bloated'? It never jammed up at all, I just noticed some of it coming out while working on the tank.

 

[LittleBurger]

What do you mean by 'bloated'? It never jammed up at all, I just noticed some of it coming out while working on the tank.

Imagine some water got onto a compressed smooth surface chipboard. That part which had water will "rise" up right?
When the back cover of my wet side was opened, I saw part of the magnet had bloated. The whole area is rusty brown just like yours.
This increased thickness will scrub against the back cover n thus jammed the propeller movement.
There was a groove on the back cover after this raised portion of the magnet had scrape on the back cover for sometime.

Used yr pic and added some text. Tat was my case.

 

[AJT]

Mine did the same. Magnet "Bloated"

 

[AJT]

Bloated = looks like particle board when it gets wet.

 

[MikeD]

I see now. Thanks for explaining. I've spoken with EcoTech and I'm actually sending it in to them for them to check it out. They were very pleasant with helping me out. I had upgraded my dry side with them last year to the Ecosmart Wireless as well. I'll keep you posted.

 

[slojmn]

My old Gen 1 Vortechs did the same thing. It was god awful when I opened it and found the mess inside. I suspect it had a lot to do with my slow tank demise but who knows. I got all new wet sides and have not had an issue, although I just looked at one of my Vortechs two weeks ago and found some rust on the edge of one of the magnets starting to form, reddish and messed up looking. I immediately bought a new wet side. I am not even going to take a chance. I check my magnets frequently when I clean the wet sides as a regular maintenance chore. I would recommend everyone do that. I think my rusted out magnet sat in two separate tanks leaching that stuff out for quite a while before I found it. Live and learn!