How to quit my MP-40's?

[jkienzpac]

I'm very disappointed with my MP-40's so far. I purchased a pair a few months ago for my 215 gallon tank. The noise and vibrations they make are horrendous. I'm unable to run them over ½ speed or they sound like a freight train. I feel bad for my fish! I've followed the examples in the trouble shooting to no avail. I rechecked the pins and the thickness settings and there fine. I've made constant adjustments to find that nice sweet spot and they'll be fine for a while on constant speed but when I change to any variable settings they start to rumble. I've also tried to run at constant speed and slowly ramp up over a few weeks to "œbreak in the bearings" as recommended without any improvement. Is it normal for them to rumble so much? I'm thinking I should have tried the MP-60's, since they only seem good at ½ speed, at least they'd push more water.
Looking for some feedback on this.
Thanks

 

[myram]

Do you have the power cord going straight up and secured with the little zip tie sticky thing? It is a heavy unit, and it can slide a little on the glass if it's not secured.

There is no such thing as "breaking in the bearings". I have never heard of this in my life, and I worked at a bearing supply house. They are a sealed bearing, there is nothing to break in on a bearing.

 

[jkienzpac]

yes, the power cord is secured, 2 per side.
regarding the "bearings", this was something I read in one of the threads to try.

It seems that the wet side is sliding a bit from the dry side every few days but still one the noisiest parts of my system.

I rechecked the tank measurements and the pin spacing.

 

[myram]

Go to the next thickness setting lower then what you actually have. I'd rather have a stronger pull then a weaker pull with the magnets.

 

[Alex Y EcoTech]

yes, the power cord is secured, 2 per side.
regarding the "bearings", this was something I read in one of the threads to try.

It seems that the wet side is sliding a bit from the dry side every few days but still one the noisiest parts of my system.

I rechecked the tank measurements and the pin spacing.

I would recommend contacting our service department to discuss the issue and determine your warranty status.

 

[Lakelivin]

Are you using those rubber discs that come with the pumps? They are supposed to help keep the pump in place and reduce vibration. That being said, I mistakenly threw mine away so I never used them and have had no problem.

As you eluded to, for your size tank the MP60's probably would have been a better choice if you have to run the 40's at max power to get good flow. Ecotechs definitely can get noisy at max power.

 

[AcroporAddict]

One other thing to take into consideration is that VorTechs never have been, and never will be silent. You have a rotating magnet on a bearing turning in open air. It will always have some noise accompanying it.

A rumble, as you call it, sounds like the wet and dry side are not staying aligned on the tank, but there will always be some noise associated with these, and if you enter a program mode, you will have varying RPM levels in the dry side assembly as well, which will make additional noises as the rate changes.

I hope you get your issues addressed, but there will always be some whirring sounds associated with the use of these pumps, no matter what model you use.

 

[jkienzpac]

Thanks all for the input

I believe, like some stated, that the two parts are becoming misaligned. My glass is ½ inch thick, oceanic 215, and the depth settings are correct, but the wet side seems quite loose to the dry side.
I thought about decreasing the spacing but will talk to ecotech prior. Has anyone tried this? It seemed quit specific in the manual.

I’m aware they have some noise, but mine vary quite a bit (even accounting for the differences in modes), one side is always worse than the other which has a constant grinding/rumbling noise that doesn’t seem right.
I listened to them closely at a prior MACNA event, as I heard they can be a bit noisy, and mine seem to run much “rougher”.
I’ll contact ecotech, I’m aware they have good customer service; I just wanted to get some additional input from other users. I’m not too enthusiastic about the possibility of removing them and shipping back to the company.

 

[myram]

Thanks all for the input

I believe, like some stated, that the two parts are becoming misaligned. My glass is ½ inch thick, oceanic 215, and the depth settings are correct, but the wet side seems quite loose to the dry side.
I thought about decreasing the spacing but will talk to ecotech prior. Has anyone tried this? It seemed quit specific in the manual.

If the 2 parts are slipping out of alignment, that means the magnetic pull isn't strong enough between them. Move the spacer to the next thinner setting to get more magnetic pull for a better connection.

 

[jkienzpac]

Hey Alex,

I need to contact your service department after hours. It appears your hours are Mon - Fri 9-5, which is the same time I work and will have difficulty getting on the phone during that time frame. Also, I was hoping maybe you guys could listen to the MP-40's over the phone to help trouble shoot. I left a message with your service department with my contact number.
They were running quiet for a few days, I can now hear them rumbling in my den as I type (Tank in another room).

 

[jkienzpac]

If the 2 parts are slipping out of alignment, that means the magnetic pull isn't strong enough between them. Move the spacer to the next thinner setting to get more magnetic pull for a better connection.

Willing to try but wanted confirmation from Ecotech that this is ok to try.

 

[Alex Y EcoTech]

Willing to try but wanted confirmation from Ecotech that this is ok to try.

Increasing the magnetic coupling force between your dry and wetside is not recommended and can cause damage to both components. It is important to remember that the hanging tabs and zip ties included in the package are designed to carry the weight of the dryside. IN addition, you should not rely of magnetic coupling force alone to hold your VorTech in place.