Help! My circulation pumps are both broken.

[MarsWulf5]

I have a 120G starting up. I have corals that MUST come out of QT by Tuesday. Have a new clutch coming in on Wed. I purchased two used vortec circ. Pumps from a LFS. They seemed to work in the store... But wont stay on my tank and make loud noose. The drive shafts were sticking somehow. So, I pulled them apart. They are shot. The metal drive shafts have a plastic coating that just disintigrated on touch. I'm in trouble. Cant return them - I bought them used in March - never used them... But been 9 months... And I'm sure the shop owner took me for a sucker and knowingly sold me lemons.

I need circ. pumps fast... Any suggestion? I have mostly LPS.
I need to buy new pumps TODAY.

Go with 2 new vortec (40)s?? Ugh $$$$$
Or
One gyre?
Or something completely different?

Need good advice... Thanks

 

[Sailfin11]

As long as you have a return pump keeping water moving in the tank, you have some time to find some new powerheads. The Jabeo powerheads and pumps have worked well for me, so I'd recommend those for a more affordable option.

 

[piranhaman00]

For LPS you dont even need wavemakers if you have return pump. Buy really cheap ones from petco or amazon.

 

[MarsWulf5]

For LPS you dont even need wavemakers if you have return pump. Buy really cheap ones from petco or amazon.

Mostly LPS... Some SPS... The return pump isnt gonna be enough. I'm debating on weather to go with 2 Vortecs (again) but new ones... Or go with a gyre.. Or any combo.

This tank is fairly decked out. Kessils, Reef Octopus, AI fuge,... Just dont have a Neprune.. Yet. So, I don't wanna just throw cords and boxy
Powerheads in there... Will end up replacing them and will just be wasted money.

Looking for the best circ or gyre pumps or combo for a 120G mixed reef...

Since I have to buy new ones... Not sure if I should change the game up.

 

[Reef.]

I would still go back to the shop, dump them on the counter and say what the heck did you sell me, see if he has any shame, it might only make him think twice before doing it to someone else, if it doesn’t get you at least a store credit.

if you have a return then no panic, I would take your time and consider what you want, see what placement options you have, if you really want you could buy a $30 powerhead to put in whilst you decide.

 

[saltyhog]

You don't have to be in a huge hurry. If you already have the Vortechs you can order replacement wet sides. The covering over the shaft is not plastic but ceramic and it is the weak link in the wet side. I have had to replace a couple over the years (my MP40's are almost 7 years old).

If you live close, I have an extra wet side I can loan you.

 

[MarsWulf5]

You don't have to be in a huge hurry. If you already have the Vortechs you can order replacement wet sides. The covering over the shaft is not plastic but ceramic and it is the weak link in the wet side. I have had to replace a couple over the years (my MP40's are almost 7 years old).

If you live close, I have an extra we side I can loan you.

Thanks. Just spoke to BRS... I am in a hurry because I have a shipment of corals coming tomorrow.

Turns out the two pumps I bought for $350 are the Vortec 10s --- so not only is that ceramic shot... But... They dont work on 1/2 glass. I'm back to square one with circ. pumps... Have cheap powerheads but that's not going in my DT.

I'm gonna buy 2 Vortec MP40s... Thought I had this covered. Crazy last minute expense. I should have just bought the 40s new from BRS to begin with. Lesson learned.

Guy who owned the shop and sold these to me had to know they wpuldnt work on my glass... I told him 1/2"... Also had to know those ceramics were shot. Didnt know how to take them apart and look until I owned some.

Well, cheers to new gear! And living beyond my means!

Thank you very much for offering to lend me some. That was a very kind gesture. I appreciate it.

Now, I just have to bring myself to pressing the confirm sale button and getting these here by Wed.

Thanks.

 

[saltyhog]

Thanks. Just spoke to BRS... I am in a hurry because I have a shipment of corals coming tomorrow.

Turns out the two pumps I bought for $350 are the Vortec 10s --- so not only is that ceramic shot... But... They dont work on 1/2 glass. I'm back to square one with circ. pumps... Have cheap powerheads but that's not going in my DT.

I'm gonna buy 2 Vortec MP40s... Thought I had this covered. Crazy last minute expense. I should have just bought the 40s new from BRS to begin with. Lesson learned.

Guy who owned the shop and sold these to me had to know they wpuldnt work on my glass... I told him 1/2"... Also had to know those ceramics were shot. Didnt know how to take them apart and look until I owned some.

Well, cheers to new gear! And living beyond my means!

Thank you very much for offering to lend me some. That was a very kind gesture. I appreciate it.

Now, I just have to bring myself to pressing the confirm sale button and getting these here by Wed.

Thanks.

Live and learn!!! I hate it, and I would never go back to that store again if he won't make it right.

I have a couple of MP10's also on my tank that's 1/2" glass. They work ok as long as I don't turn them up 100% on Nutrient Transport mode. One of them will occasionally have the wet side fall off if I do that.

 

[BigRed78]

The coral will be fine with low flow for a few days. There are really calm days in the ocean. Buy a cheapo one off of amazon. If it breaks your out $20 bucks max

 

[Reef.]

Aren’t the shafts on the mp10s plastic? Not ceramic.

You don't have to be in a huge hurry. If you already have the Vortechs you can order replacement wet sides. The covering over the shaft is not plastic but ceramic and it is the weak link in the wet side. I have had to replace a couple over the years (my MP40's are almost 7 years old).

If you live close, I have an extra wet side I can loan you.

 

[Reef.]

I would seriously go back to the shop, buying used from a shop still gives you rights, worth a shot, would take someone with no soul to turn you away with the evidence on his counter top.

 

[saltyhog]

Aren’t the shafts on the mp10s plastic? Not ceramic.

I'll look at mine when I get home. I thought they were ceramic too but your question has me wondering.

 

[MarsWulf5]

Aren’t the shafts on the mp10s plastic? Not ceramic.

Actually the shafts are metal and they are coated in white ceramic. I thought it was plastic too until somebody corrected me. Inside the white part is a metal rod. The ceramic shield is siliconed at the base around the the metal drive shaft -.it all spins as one unit to turn the propeller.

So, if you drop the wet side, effectively you can crack that thin ceramic. Cracks in the ceramic or leaks around the silicone at the base cause rusting of the drive shaft... Resulting in pump noise, vibration, and flying off the glass.

Also, soaking these in vinegar is bad - it eats away the plastic coating over the magnets. Exposed magnets rust and also leak toxic metals into your seawater. Suggested to wash them with gentler citric acid - and do not uae them if the magnets get exposed.

I spoke to Chad at BRS. He said one needs MP40s for 1/2 glass... Thats why people see the MP10s fly off the glass.

This was an unexpected delay and expense. I ended up buying just one brand new Vortec MP40 from BRS.

I had to take the starter kit of Chaeto and pods to start my fuge and some other stuff like bottles of pink and purple coraline out of my cart - and could only swing one pump right now. Grateful I had the credit to buy at least one.

I have a 5 pack of LPS coral arriving tomorrow - so, this DT has to go up by tonight because the corals in QT have to come out by morning.

I'm glad I have plenty of clean live rock I cured myself for several months, live sand, and Red Sea starter kits - because there is no time left for a cycle this DT the old fashioned way - really no need with the cured rock and live sand anyway. This is a one shot deal at this point.

I'm upset with the shop owner who sold me the bad MP10s for 1/2" glass. He knew what was up. I was naive and he took me for $370 total ($350+tax) on two broken pumps. Basically, I'm out $800 now and only have one pump. What a #*%!

I will never buy used again.

Hope this info helps. Thanks for the reply.