Help! Problem with my Mag Drive.

[FLReefGirl]

I turned it off this morning to feed the fish and when I turned it back on it sounded like it was grinding and barely running but it was loud. I opened it up and cleaned the impeller area (no blockage just a little muck in there). When I turned it on to test run it in a bucket of water it is sputtering and loud and sounds like it's going to conk out like an old car engine.

What wrong? Can I fix it? I don't want my protein skimmer to be off for long. Please Help.

 

[Wryknow]

I have an old Mag 3 that makes noises like that too. Sadly, I just whap it with the palm of my hand a couple of times until it starts running again. I do not trust that pump for anything critical any more though - it is strictly used for water changes. I would recommend getting a new pump.

 

[FLReefGirl]

I just got it in February. :O
I run it on my Aqua C Remora Pro. I was told by most here on RC this is the one to get. Now what should I do?

 

[FLReefGirl]

^

 

[Wryknow]

If you just got it in February then it should still be under warranty. Do you still have the paperwork? Give Danner or Aqua-C a call and see if they will replace the pump for you. All manufactured goods have some defects. The difference between a good company and a bad company is how they deal with it. Good ones try to fix the problems from you quickly with a minimum of problems for you.

FWIW - have used the remorrah pro myself in the past and recommend it as a good hang-on skimmer.

 

[FLReefGirl]

I e-mailed Danner yesterday about my problem. A woman named Christine contacted me this morning by e-mail. She told me to remove the impeller and hold it next to the pump. Plug the pump in. If the impeller vibrates in your hand it needs to be replaced. If it didn't vibrate than I had to let her know because it's probably something else. She told me to e-mail/fax a copy of my receipt. Hopefully I'll be getting a new impeller soon.