Possibly damaged wet side. Help

[Bpb]

I've got a gen2 MP 40 that I have been running for a while without a single problem. Just now I was going to perform some routine maintenance inside the tank using my long aquarium tongs. As I was looking upward to ensure I didn't burn my knuckles on the metal halide lights I accidentally stuck the tongs right into the spinning wet side propeller. The propeller immediately stopped spinning but the shaft and magnet continue to spend. It also started letting out a high-pitched squealing sound. I am now going to attempt to disassemble it to see if maybe something came loose, but as this may not fix it immediately I wanted to go ahead and post to see what I should do next. Might I need an entire new Wet side assembly, or just a piece or two? Please help.

 

[Bpb]

Disassembled. The magnet appears to have swelled and split. Does this need replacing?

 

[mypepper]

It's time to purchase a new wetside for your MP-40 or call Ectotech Marine on Monday morning a see if they sell the magnet disk separately.

Just crack this up as a life lesson and expensive boo boo.

There are worse things in life that can happen for sure, and this is not one of them, even though we think so at the time,

Randy

 

[Bpb]

Thanks for the reply. All a moot point. After reassembling my wet side (which was then fuctional), I dropped the dry side into the bucket accidentally. Took it apart cleaned it out. Dried it out, and now it's a paper weight. Did my best. Worked for a few minutes but couldn't get up to top speed then got the flashing red light. Oh well...

Nice owning one while I did. Got it free a year ago and it's served me faithfully. Single income family, reefer on a budget, baby on the way = cannot afford ecotech products new. Unfortunately I don't have the $500 laying around to replace the dry side AND wet side.

That's life for you.

 

[mypepper]

Wholly cow, it went from not to bad at least to just replacing your wetside only to now losing the use of your entire MP40.

I truly feel for you and when working around water with anything electric, there are so many unknowns that can take place for the bad only.

As for your dry side of your pump, I would try rinsing your pump in RO water, let it dry out in the sun for a few days, plug it in and see what happens....At this point you have nothing to lose.

Randy

 

[Bpb]

That's actually a really good idea. After being real mad about it last night for a couple hours and pouting for a couple hours while my wife started a scrapbook for the daughter on the way, it dawned on me that I worry about my tank too much

 

[mypepper]

Us reefers tend to freak out once in awhile, which is understandable after putting our hearts and souls into this hobby.

As long as your daughter, your wife and yourself are healthy, that's what really counts in the end.

Your pump can be replaced down the road, when you have some extra money.

Congratulations on your upcoming new bundle of joy and enjoy your sleep while you can.

Randy

 

[Bpb]

Felt the need to update. Followed your advice. Soaked the disassembled dry side in rodi water for an hour, then after q-tip and towel drying as much as I could, I left it in pieces in the 100 degree sun for two days. Reassembled today and fired it up and it works. Wow.

More powerful than I remember as well (probably a result of the wet side cleaning). There's some whistling coming from the dry side bearings but I assume that'll quiet down as it breaks back in. It wasn't constant. Just here and there. I'll put it back in the tank as soon as my dry side gasket arrives.

When it rains it pours. Lol now all my prized sps frags are showing RTN from the bases. Only change was removing the vortech. Oh well. At least I'm back on track

 

[mypepper]

I'm so glad this worked out for you, which I read this procedure on the Internet a few years back.

Have a great evening,
Randy