Mag 7 burned out

[terrimorgan]

I have a 72 gallon bowfront and my Mag 7 went dead after two power surges Sunday morning. I replaced it with a Quiet one 4000 that I use to circulate my salt water, it seems to doing okay, but although listed as more gph doesn't seem to be performing as well. Would like suggestions on what brand and speed of motor I should be using for a 72 gallon bowfront. I have also learned to always have a back up motor!! So I will be purchasing 2. I knew this time would come, when power went out, but it went a lot smoother than I thought. Not too much of a mess. Plus I only use a 5 gallon to top off for that reason. Your suggestions/advise is greatly appreciated.

 

[jennm]

The Mag is a reliable pump - I'd get another of those.

No matter what pump you use, it should be on a surge protector - that will prevent this sort of thing from happening again.

Cheers,
Jenn

 

[cr500_af]

+1 to what Jenn said. A spare return pump is an excellent thing to have in your "just in case" kit... excellent decision there.

 

[terrimorgan]

Thanks. All items were on surge protector. Everything else came back on and ran properly except for this one pump. Unfortunately it was the primary pump. Is the Mag 7 sufficient or should I invest in the Mag 9.5?

 

[jennm]

Have you taken the pump apart? There are a few reasons why a Mag won't start - if the impeller cover is cracked, the impeller won't turn. I'd be happy to take a look at it for you - it's possible that it can be repaired if it's the impeller or volute. A lot less costly than replacing the pump and I do carry the parts.

(I'm closed today - heading to a job site... open Tuesday at 4).

Jenn

 

[reefdiver]

yes, try what Jen suggest. I've had to clean my a few times. I've also replace the impeller once when it started making a terrible loud rattling noise.

 

[oil_fan]

You know...I'm not really sure a pump is that at risk to a power surge. I mean it's a mechanical device, not really electronic. The last major surge that I've had here at my house took out my server motherboard and cpu, one of my DirecTV receivers and Slingbox.

Now all 3 items were on ethernet and I'm pretty sure that's how the surge hit all 3 items. Yet my wife's and my computers came out fine. Router and cable modem are also fine.

But I never lost anything else. The more I think of it, I just don't see a Mag type pump being really at risk to damage. I'd look for to normal mechanical failure such as a bad impeller as the cause of the pump not working.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

For the gph and dollar value...it's hard to beat a Mag pump. I've got two with backups....a Mag 12 runs my return and a Mag 5 runs my Berlin skimmer. No problems with either on restarts. I'd have to agree with the above...not much there to go wrong from an electrical perspective. Normal failures point to a mechanical problem. I'd look to fix before replace.

 

[oldschool52]

I've had a mag pump burn up (it was many years old) but like Jenn says let someone look at it. It is very possible that the volute or impeller is bad. As far as size I have a 72 bow front that I started with a mag 5, upgraded to a mag 7 and now have a 9.5. I really like the 9.5 for the added output. If you are just going to purchase a second pump for backup what I would do is get the 9.5 and keep your quit one for a back up. You already have it and you know it works although maybe not ideal but instead of just spending money odds are the 9.5 will last a long time and you have the quiet one (no extra cash output). Use the additional cash for some new fish and/or corals. IMO

 

[tdwyatt]

Just as a precaution,submersible pumps like the Mag Supreme (Danner) used in systems with high Ca++ and Alk (Ca++ > 425 PPM and alk 10 dKH ) should spend 24 hours running in a bucket of white vinegar about once every 6 months to remove abiotic CaCO3 depoisits on the impeller/volute/pump body to prevent deposit-based failure or slowdown. $3 USD for a gallon of white vinegar at Walmort is cheap insurance, and all you need to do is drop in the pump in an old salt bucket, add the vinegar to cover the pump, and loosely place the lid, then plug it in and let it run. If the pump has already failed, you may need to take it by to Jenn or another qualified technician to repair/replace the impeller or physically remove the calcium deposits from the impeller. These pumps are just about indestructable in terms of power surges, etc.


HTH

 

[terrimorgan]

Thanks for all the advice. I hope to get by and see Jenn later this week.
Terri

 

[jennm]

I pay 88 cents for a quart bottle of vinegar at the dollar store. We seem to always have something soak in it ... just like Madge (for those of you old enough to remember who Madge is!)

The only time they usually "burn out" is if they are allowed to run dry for prolonged periods of time - then they will conk out just like anything else will if misused.

I carry volutes & impellers - and Mags are so simple, even *I* an fix them!

Jenn

 

[terrimorgan]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Took the motor apart. Real easy, only 3 parts!! Rinsed it off and now running in vinager.

What a great ARC group we have!!!!

 

[jennm]

Glad you got it running! Do have a careful look at the volute (impeller cover) - occasionally the little hub that the rubber bushing on the impeller sits in, cracks. That causes the impeller to "play" and can ruin the pump if the impeller goes off-center. Sometimes they won't run at all like that but if they do, they actually wear out the chamber that the impeller sits in, and that cannot be fixed as it's part of the main body of the pump.

If the volute is cracked, you can easily get another one - most stores who carry the pumps (like me) should also carry the volutes and impellers.

Jenn