Who has had to replace the pump seal on their AM3K
- Thread starter golfish
- Start date
Umm sorry to change the subject a little, but I have a used "little giant mdq" 1000 gal\hr or something close.
I use it as a return from my sump.
Do these pumps need any cleaning or service.
I've haven't thought about it before
It dose say oil twice a year on the pump, and I do do that.
Dave
I use it as a return from my sump.
Do these pumps need any cleaning or service.
I've haven't thought about it before
It dose say oil twice a year on the pump, and I do do that.
Dave
That is unbelieveable. I feel bad for you. I will never ever consider buying one of those pumps now after seeing those pictures. I hope they compensate you (try to get your money back, and buy a differant brand of pump).
As promised Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m reposting after receiving and installing the seal. It took about 20 min. (including removing the pump from service) and was fairly easy. I replaced both sides of the seal. One thing I noticed after replacing the seal the pump delivers slightly more water volume. I'm guessing that the resistance of the spring on the seal is less. I was told it is a better quality seal. I hope it lasts longer than 11 months this time. Time will tell J
Darren,
I'm sure they will mail you out a seal for free and pay the shipping.
Regards,
Kevin
Darren,
I'm sure they will mail you out a seal for free and pay the shipping.
Regards,
Kevin
I just sent mine back to Dolphin last week after only two months of use. The only reason I sent it back for them to replace is because I did not notice the leak until after a two week vacation and the pump was making a little noise. I just figured they could check for impeller damage and replace if required. They were very nice about it, but we'll see how fast they turn it around.
My leaking Amp3k story:
-- Ordered pump in April, got it in May.
-- Found this post.
-- Wrote Dolphin from my personal email asking about leaking seals, never got a reply.
-- Accidentally sent Dolphin the same email from my company email, got answer in a few days saying that they did not know about any leaking problem, but had changed their spring for a start-up problem.
-- Wrote to Dolphin using my personal email, quoted their response about spring and gave them the link to this post to help them learn about the leaking issue. Never got a response.
-- Installed the pump as closed loop & huge short piping so virtually no head pressure about July 1. Within one week signs of leaking from rear seal.
-- Called Dolphin, the usual very nice response, it may stop leaking on its own as sometimes the seals seat them selves, you can send us the pump, or we can send you a seal; you will eventually need a seal anyway as it will fail eventually.
-- It maybe still leaking put is much slower.
-- They have a new pumps coming out, one with 2 inch ports (and still about 1 amp) and one that works to 27 ft with large flow rate (at about 3 amps).
It is quieter and uses less power than my Iwaki 100RLT or my 55RLT, but after 12 yrs of continuous running my I Iwakis have yet to ever leak or fail in any way. I hope they stay in business and continue this line of pumps and improve them.
-- Ordered pump in April, got it in May.
-- Found this post.
-- Wrote Dolphin from my personal email asking about leaking seals, never got a reply.
-- Accidentally sent Dolphin the same email from my company email, got answer in a few days saying that they did not know about any leaking problem, but had changed their spring for a start-up problem.
-- Wrote to Dolphin using my personal email, quoted their response about spring and gave them the link to this post to help them learn about the leaking issue. Never got a response.
-- Installed the pump as closed loop & huge short piping so virtually no head pressure about July 1. Within one week signs of leaking from rear seal.
-- Called Dolphin, the usual very nice response, it may stop leaking on its own as sometimes the seals seat them selves, you can send us the pump, or we can send you a seal; you will eventually need a seal anyway as it will fail eventually.
-- It maybe still leaking put is much slower.
-- They have a new pumps coming out, one with 2 inch ports (and still about 1 amp) and one that works to 27 ft with large flow rate (at about 3 amps).
It is quieter and uses less power than my Iwaki 100RLT or my 55RLT, but after 12 yrs of continuous running my I Iwakis have yet to ever leak or fail in any way. I hope they stay in business and continue this line of pumps and improve them.
NewMariner
Reef Tank Aficionado
And I was gonna purchase two Amp3ks...I dont think I will now, I dont want to go through the trouble that yall are experiencing...anyone recommend pumps now with the same power as the amp3ks?
when I looked around, the amp 3k seemed to blow away the competition with respect to flow/AMP.
If the pump is for circulation, I'd consider the reeftec device.
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=93473&goto=newpost
I built a DIY one and it provides as much flow as am amp3k ( if not more) at
1/3 the cost and without the need to set up plumbing. The only potential negative issues are whether the 35W is too much additional heat, and whether this box is less asthetically pleasing that the plumbing required for a closed loop.
But given the problems with AM 3Ks , I'd certainly recommend the reeftec device as very good option.
If the pump is for circulation, I'd consider the reeftec device.
http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=93473&goto=newpost
I built a DIY one and it provides as much flow as am amp3k ( if not more) at
1/3 the cost and without the need to set up plumbing. The only potential negative issues are whether the 35W is too much additional heat, and whether this box is less asthetically pleasing that the plumbing required for a closed loop.
But given the problems with AM 3Ks , I'd certainly recommend the reeftec device as very good option.
organicreefer
In Memoriam
the reeftech takes up too much room-hope you have a big tank .....i think this thread is kinda blowing the ampmaster "problems" out of proportion -mines at 7 months and going strong-no sign of any leak/start up problems whatsoever.
if i have to change a seal once a year-big deal.
even though my iwaki pumps lasted over two years with no maintanence at all-i still prefer the ampmaster.
if i have to change a seal once a year-big deal.
even though my iwaki pumps lasted over two years with no maintanence at all-i still prefer the ampmaster.
organicreefer
In Memoriam
dj-my point is -a seal problem is not a reason to write off the pumps....
ive used alot of pumps -im VERY pleased with my ampmasters performance.
as i stated previously-even if i have to change a seal once a year-its still better than those loud energy hogging iwakis i used to run.
at least two people that i know of have already sworn off ampmasters based on this thread-i think they are making a mistake.maybe my opinion will change in time-but for now i feel any final judgement is just too early to make.my.02
ive used alot of pumps -im VERY pleased with my ampmasters performance.
as i stated previously-even if i have to change a seal once a year-its still better than those loud energy hogging iwakis i used to run.
at least two people that i know of have already sworn off ampmasters based on this thread-i think they are making a mistake.maybe my opinion will change in time-but for now i feel any final judgement is just too early to make.my.02
Tcook
Premium Member
I was also thinking of getting an ampmaster for my 120 when I set it up again next year, but after reading this thread, probably won't. I don't have a problem with changing a seal once a year as routine maintenance, but having a pump leak and not restart while on vacation is a big deal. Having peace of mind with my pumps is important. Something I don't get with Mag pumps and sounds like it would be the case with Ampmasters. I hope they work out the problem, and then admit there was a flaw and that they are confident that it won't happen again.
organicreefer
In Memoriam
see what i mean
NewMariner
Reef Tank Aficionado
Organic,
Im just being cautious to the situation....Look how many people have had to replace the seals....and then look at Darrens pump after only a month and a half worth of use. If their pumps only had this problem every once in awhile I understand that...but you got a lot of people on this thread stating there is something wrong with their pumps. Now If Im gonna fork out 300 bucks on a pump I want piece of mind that if the power goes out that pump is gonna kick back on. I think Dolphin needs to admit that there is a design flaw...recall the pumps...and fix the problem. That would make me buy an AMP3k from them....However, they want you to pay 20 bucks for a seal everytime that seal gives....Say you have this pump for 5 years....and the seals last a year....you would have to replace the seal 5 times...thats an extra hundred bucks you just spent on that pump....As a consumer....I feel that they should pay for shipping to their plant to fix the product they screwed up. I think they should also in return supply a loner at NO CHARGE till yours is returned. 300 bucks is alot of money for a pump. I just feel that I should get my ***** kissed a little bit more then what appears to be happening here. They maybe great pumps....when they work...however if they keep failing....why pay that much? You biased only because you havent had your pump fail yet. Now what if your pump fails and you loose all your livestock in your tank? How would you feel bout the situation then? Ive got a few months before I plan on buyin my pumps for my closed loop...now if Dolphin fixes the problem(they have said the new seals will work and only time will tell) then I will go ahead with my plans and buy 2 of them....however if those that have already fixed their pumps with the new seals and it still happens to them in a few months...Im not forkin out the 600 bucks for those two pumps....I will go with Iwakis...at least I know they will last......
Im just being cautious to the situation....Look how many people have had to replace the seals....and then look at Darrens pump after only a month and a half worth of use. If their pumps only had this problem every once in awhile I understand that...but you got a lot of people on this thread stating there is something wrong with their pumps. Now If Im gonna fork out 300 bucks on a pump I want piece of mind that if the power goes out that pump is gonna kick back on. I think Dolphin needs to admit that there is a design flaw...recall the pumps...and fix the problem. That would make me buy an AMP3k from them....However, they want you to pay 20 bucks for a seal everytime that seal gives....Say you have this pump for 5 years....and the seals last a year....you would have to replace the seal 5 times...thats an extra hundred bucks you just spent on that pump....As a consumer....I feel that they should pay for shipping to their plant to fix the product they screwed up. I think they should also in return supply a loner at NO CHARGE till yours is returned. 300 bucks is alot of money for a pump. I just feel that I should get my ***** kissed a little bit more then what appears to be happening here. They maybe great pumps....when they work...however if they keep failing....why pay that much? You biased only because you havent had your pump fail yet. Now what if your pump fails and you loose all your livestock in your tank? How would you feel bout the situation then? Ive got a few months before I plan on buyin my pumps for my closed loop...now if Dolphin fixes the problem(they have said the new seals will work and only time will tell) then I will go ahead with my plans and buy 2 of them....however if those that have already fixed their pumps with the new seals and it still happens to them in a few months...Im not forkin out the 600 bucks for those two pumps....I will go with Iwakis...at least I know they will last......
DJ88©
Premium Member
Organic,
When I spend $500 on a pump I want that same piece of mind that has been brought up. I intentionally went out and bought this pump for a few reasons.
one of which was that Dolphin had said there was a problem with the older seals but all new pumps came with new seals that would not leak. I even had this verified by calling Dolphin. With those assurances I bought the pump.
Don't get me wrong it is a great pump. but if a new seal can fail after one and a half months I don't have any piece of mind. I am not always going to be home to fix a failed pump. I have more faith in my MAG pumps I have sitting around. Due to this lack of faith I have replaced my AM3K with two MAK4's.
If I spend $500 on a pump I expect reliability. Not knowing if the seal will last a year isn't reliability to me. I have several thousand dollars invested in this system. I am not going to throw $500 on something that doesn't keep my mind at ease. Each and every day after I noticed this leak a few weeks ago I came home with trepidation worrying about a failure. That $500 purchase gave me stress. I spent the extra money on having peace of mind. Not more stress. Now at least I have pumps running I feel are reliable.
It is as easy or difficult as that.
out of this I have learned one lesson. If I see a product that has a few bugs I will stay away and go with the ones that have the track record I expect for a product of this $$ figure.
JMVHO
When I spend $500 on a pump I want that same piece of mind that has been brought up. I intentionally went out and bought this pump for a few reasons.
one of which was that Dolphin had said there was a problem with the older seals but all new pumps came with new seals that would not leak. I even had this verified by calling Dolphin. With those assurances I bought the pump.
Don't get me wrong it is a great pump. but if a new seal can fail after one and a half months I don't have any piece of mind. I am not always going to be home to fix a failed pump. I have more faith in my MAG pumps I have sitting around. Due to this lack of faith I have replaced my AM3K with two MAK4's.
If I spend $500 on a pump I expect reliability. Not knowing if the seal will last a year isn't reliability to me. I have several thousand dollars invested in this system. I am not going to throw $500 on something that doesn't keep my mind at ease. Each and every day after I noticed this leak a few weeks ago I came home with trepidation worrying about a failure. That $500 purchase gave me stress. I spent the extra money on having peace of mind. Not more stress. Now at least I have pumps running I feel are reliable.
It is as easy or difficult as that.
out of this I have learned one lesson. If I see a product that has a few bugs I will stay away and go with the ones that have the track record I expect for a product of this $$ figure.
JMVHO
organicreefer
In Memoriam
you spent 500 bucks on youre ampmaster?-you got ripped off
is the ampmaster youre only circulation?-system design flaw
im not gonna try and talk anyone out of/into anything -but i love my ampmaster and more than anything just wanted to post my positive experience.
is the ampmaster youre only circulation?-system design flaw
im not gonna try and talk anyone out of/into anything -but i love my ampmaster and more than anything just wanted to post my positive experience.
