Mp40 stuck together...need help!

icemountain · Dec 29, 2013

I was cleaning my mp40 pumps in vinegar and they accidentally got too close to each other and now are stuck with the back magnet side. I can't get them apart and I don't want to break anything. I did try to pry them loose with a flat head but the magnets are stuck on like gorilla glue. What do you suggest? I have no pumps in my tank circulating anything so need to pull them apart soon lol

Here is a picture of how they are now.

JMSKI333 · Dec 29, 2013

Maybe try slidding peices of paper inbetween them and keep adding layers until the magnet intenisty isn't so instense.

I didn't think they were that powerful.

icemountain · Dec 29, 2013

that gap you see is only the plastic outer part. The magnet which is on the inside is stuck together really good. I can't seem to fit anything in between the 2 magnets. I can't really find the gap between them to put anything in so not sure if I am poking straight into the magnet or the crack between the 2 magnets.

frostjoker · Dec 29, 2013

place one end on and table and slow push down sliding them apart?

Fin · Dec 29, 2013

I know with the super strong magnet cleaners, they say if they ever get stuck together, to not pry the halves apart. They say to twist them apart. Of course the magnets aren't round like the MP40s. Good luck.

Shadow1 · Dec 29, 2013

Slide them apart

icemountain · Dec 29, 2013

After watching a couple of videos on how to completely disassemble them, I took them completely apart while they were stuck together. That made it very easy for me to see the 2 magnets so I was able to slowly spread them apart. They almost took my finger off. Thanks everyone!

stunreefer · Dec 29, 2013

I have a Magnavore 10 for thick (1.25"+) aquariums... the one that weighs five pounds and will shatter your phalanges if you're unlucky enough to let that happen. Unfortunately have had them get stuck together before and used wood shims and a hammer to separate them. Absolutely no way to twist them apart, but the shims are soft enough to not damage the magnets, yet strong enough to get the job done.

icemountain · Dec 29, 2013

Now I am having another problem with one of my pumps. It started for a few minutes and then shut off and its flashing green and red. What does that mean? It was set to Master/Slave with my other pump and the Master pump is the one flashing.