Magdrives pumps siezing after kalk

[C0rp]

So ever since I started using kalk via Tunze topoff/Aquamedic reactor both my mag drive pumps have failed and siezed on a monthly cycle. I have to pull them out, disassemble, clean, reassemble and reinstall. PITA. The sump ph only spikes to about 8.3 ph when the kalk is dripped, which I always thought if it remained under 8.5 that calcium carbonate would not excessively build up. But my pumps are definitely getting gunked up inside.

Anyway, can anyone recommend a good quality pump that should be able to make it 6-12 months in conjunction with kalk dosing before I need to pull and clean them? I would be replacing a 9.5 and a 7. Thanks.

 

[sirreal63]

I wouldn't let a pump go that long before cleaning it, especially if I am having an issue with them clogging up. Maybe instead of trying to find a pump that will let you slack, you should adjust your cleaning schedule, if possible? Seems simple enough. All kidding aside, I don't think you will find one that clogs less but I have noticed that lower wattage pumps tend to be less worrisome and Mag pumps are the least efficient pumps out there, and less heat will help slow down the build up. You may want to check your heater as well, it probably needs a good cleaning too.

 

[lighthouze08]

i heard the new water blaster pump uses a diff type of shaft that calcium will not bond to, you might want to read up on that if you are looking at purchasing a new pump

 

[chadfarmer]

are you dripping close to the pumps

 

[karsseboom]

You want to drip the kalk away from the pumps. I have ddripping into my refugium where there is no pumps, then the water goes through 2 more sections before the return pump. By that time there is no evidence on kalk.

 

[Yogre]

i heard the new water blaster pump uses a diff type of shaft that calcium will not bond to, you might want to read up on that if you are looking at purchasing a new pump

I'm not sold on this. I've had two complete seizures on my Water Blaster pump since late December. Granted the first time the kalk dosing line was in the same chamber as the pump intake, but the second time the kalk line was relocated as far away from the pump's intake as I could get it.