Strange material inside a Nero 3

[Cannoy]

After a little over a year one of my Nero 3's has already died and since it’s dead and out of warranty I decided to take a hammer to and and see what’s inside. Inside the pump is wet, rusty, and filled with a sand like material that has a weird smell. I have no idea what they’re putting in these pumps but it definitely has to be leaching into the tank. The smell inside the pump isn't a reef tank related smell, it has a chemical smell to it.

 

[Robert Ranciato]

It looks like when a magnet starts to break down.

 

[Brandont21]

Arent you the one who keeps killing an astonishing amount of reputable pumps? What does your maintenance look like on your pumps? Just curious? I had a nero 3 for quite a while and had no issues.

 

[Tonycass12]

I've had 4 Nero 3s all fail multiple times and mostly its the pump failing not the controller. Some pumps made it just past a year others would only make it a few months. I cleaned them monthly. Crap pumps.

 

[a.t.t.r]

Are you guys cleaning with vinegar or something?

Also taht is the back side of the pump in photo.. that is a magnet/ was a magnet.

 

[Tonycass12]

Are you guys cleaning with vinegar or something?

Also taht is the back side of the pump in photo.. that is a magnet/ was a magnet.

Citric acid. Same as the recommended pump cleaning products.

 

[a.t.t.r]

I have not seen pumps fall apart like that since Rio sent me a box of pumps to "try for my self and see how good they are"

All pumps were dead in under 4 months

 

[Cannoy]

Arent you the one who keeps killing an astonishing amount of reputable pumps? What does your maintenance look like on your pumps? Just curious? I had a nero 3 for quite a while and had no issues.

Citric acid

 

[Cannoy]

Are you guys cleaning with vinegar or something?

Also taht is the back side of the pump in photo.. that is a magnet/ was a magnet.

The round piece to the left is a piece of metal that holds the pump to the magnet on the glass. there is no magnet there.

 

[Cannoy]

After cleaning the brown stuff off the pump i think the smell is coming from the resin they’re using. And the brown stuff is possibly minerals from the salt water collecting around the warm pump?