MP40QD motor died... buy new motor or try something else?

[Nburg's Reef]

My 2.5 year old MP40QD died... specifically the motor. I took it to a LFS and my controller worked on their motor, but theirs didn't work on my motor. So my dilemma is, do I spend the $200 and buy a new motor, or try something different.

I originally had this unit on my 40g breeder maxed out to around 25-30%. I upgraded to a Red Sea Reefer 450, and being a 5' tank, I had to crank up the MP40 to ~90% as it was the only powerhead in the tank. Few months later, motor is dead.

I was thinking of trying something new anyways, or at least supplementing with another pump. The MP40 go decent flow on the other end of the tank, which is fine for the LPS and few softies I had, but a little more on the other end would be nice. And I didn't like almost maxing out the MP40's motor. I was waiting for the Red Sea ReefWave, since its a gyre with apparently 'sine wave technology' in the controller to quiet things down, but I don't know if I can wait until it comes out since it's target is "second half of 2018". Quiet is key... apparently I have really good high frequency hearing and high-pitch motor noise really gets to me.

For now, I have x2 Jebao OW-40s being delivered today until I repair or get something new, but wanted to see if others had an opinion. FWIW, I don't have an APEX controller so not sure if the Wav pumps would work. I'm still rocking a Neptune AC 3 Pro controller

 

[Crabs McJones]

My 2.5 year old MP40QD died... specifically the motor. I took it to a LFS and my controller worked on their motor, but theirs didn't work on my motor. So my dilemma is, do I spend the $200 and buy a new motor, or try something different.

I originally had this unit on my 40g breeder maxed out to around 25-30%. I upgraded to a Red Sea Reefer 450, and being a 5' tank, I had to crank up the MP40 to ~90% as it was the only powerhead in the tank. Few months later, motor is dead.

I was thinking of trying something new anyways, or at least supplementing with another pump. The MP40 go decent flow on the other end of the tank, which is fine for the LPS and few softies I had, but a little more on the other end would be nice. And I didn't like almost maxing out the MP40's motor. I was waiting for the Red Sea ReefWave, since its a gyre with apparently 'sine wave technology' in the controller to quiet things down, but I don't know if I can wait until it comes out since it's target is "second half of 2018". Quiet is key... apparently I have really good high frequency hearing and high-pitch motor noise really gets to me.

For now, I have x2 Jebao OW-40s being delivered today until I repair or get something new, but wanted to see if others had an opinion. FWIW, I don't have an APEX controller so not sure if the Wav pumps would work. I'm still rocking a Neptune AC 3 Pro controller

Is the motor dead or are the bearings shot? There are a couple videos on youtube of people who have successfully replaced the bearings. May be an option. Unit is already dead not much more harm can come to taking it apart to check

 

[Nburg's Reef]

What's the symptoms of shot bearings? The magnet inside the dryside moves freely and smoothly.

When I plug it in, it tries to start up, makes a slight click, then get a red light and the unit immediately restarts... and it loops like this continuously

 

[Crabs McJones]

What's the symptoms of **** bearings? The magnet inside the dryside moves freely and smoothly.

When I plug it in, it tries to start up, makes a slight click, then get a red light and the unit immediately restarts... and it loops like this continuously

Ah, got it. If the magnet inside moves freely then bearings would likely not be the cause.

 

[mitch91175]

If you aren't wanting to deal with getting it fixed, I would say give the 2 - Maxspect Gyre XF150 a good look. I have an XF250 on a5' frag tank and it pushes out a lot of water for being the sole powerhead in there. I am about to change my aquascape around and I will be adding in 2 - XF250 to it as well. Will also be running 4 - MP40, but the tank is going to be SPS dominant now so I want all the flow I can get.

 

[Nburg's Reef]

cracked it open a little more to see whats up, and found this:

I wonder if echotech would sell me just this part?
Looks like the paint is flicking me off!

 

[Crabs McJones]

cracked it open a little more to see whats up, and found this:

I wonder if echotech would sell me just this part?
Looks like the paint is flicking me off!

Worth a shot. Worse case scenario they say no

 

[Velcro]

Gyres are awesome. .The new coral box power head that reefbreeders sells also has me intrigued.

 

[Nburg's Reef]

If they will sell me just the bearings shaft that broken, this might be an easy fix!

 

[lafayettereefer]

You would've needed 2 mp40s on that length tank. I would contact ecotech, most likely they'll sell you that part for a fraction of the motor costs.

 

[ca1ore]

I don't think they sell dryside parts. Did the dryside fall?

 

[Nburg's Reef]

I don't think they sell dryside parts. Did the dryside fall?

Nope, I woke up one morning to some clicking/clanking... in my groggy state, I assumed it was another stomatella snail in the impeller, so I took the wet side out and cleaned it. plugged it back in and it clicked twice and the controller started a error/restart loop. my dryside has always been zip-tied to the supplied wire holder to prevent a fall.

 

[lafayettereefer]

I'll buy it off of ya if you decide to sell. I don't know if there's anything that can be done with it but I could use it for parts possibly

 

[mfinn]

@Nburg I would give ETM a call and tell them exactly what happened and what you found when you did a little digging.
Don't accuse them of bad workmanship or be aggressive. Just be polite and explain everything.
Maybe do mention that only 2-1/2 years seems a bit short for and high end pump part.
If they don't offer anything at first, ask what kind of a deal you can get for a loyal customer.

I have been offered some pretty good deals over the years on out of warranty pumps and lights.

 

[Nburg's Reef]

@Nburg I would give ETM a call and tell them exactly what happened and what you found when you did a little digging.
Don't accuse them of bad workmanship or be aggressive. Just be polite and explain everything.
Maybe do mention that only 2-1/2 years seems a bit short for and high end pump part.
If they don't offer anything at first, ask what kind of a deal you can get for a loyal customer.

I have been offered some pretty good deals over the years on out of warranty pumps and lights.

Im usually not a pushy person to CS reps, but thats some good advice. I will call tomorrow and see what they can do. I love Vortechs, but $200 for a part is steep after just upgrading tanks.

 

[ca1ore]

I think that is very good advice. I have found ETM to be generally quite reasonable - even for things that I would judge to have been quite stupid on my part. Send them that picture too, sure looks like a part defect to me as you can clearly see that it's split.

 

[Highgrade]

@Nburg I would give ETM a call and tell them exactly what happened and what you found when you did a little digging.
Don't accuse them of bad workmanship or be aggressive. Just be polite and explain everything.
Maybe do mention that only 2-1/2 years seems a bit short for and high end pump part.
If they don't offer anything at first, ask what kind of a deal you can get for a loyal customer.

I have been offered some pretty good deals over the years on out of warranty pumps and lights.

. +1 I recently had a similar issue with a 4 year old MP10. They asked me to send it in for possible repair but the rep explained they most likely would offer me a significant discount on a brand new replacement. I shipped it off to ETM. The day they received it they called and made me an offer on a brand new pump I couldn't refuse. Couple days later I had a new pump with a new warranty.

Overall a great experience and service from ETM!

 

[robmiller2]

Reef Octopus has something similar now too. Octo Pulse. I saw them for sale on BRS. Looks interesting.

 

[Nburg's Reef]

Reef Octopus has something similar now too. Octo Pulse. I saw them for sale on BRS. Looks interesting.

Does look interesting but wires in the tank and I dont want to be an early adopter on anything over $100.

 

[Charterreefer]

I like ETM products and have been using them since they first came out. They have been quite and reliable. In my experience the folks at ETM are reasonable and will most likely offer some kind of deal and work with you.