Why do my MP10 Wet Sides Keep Failing?

[BradVol]

I'm having terrible luck with MP10 wet sides. The ceramic around the metal shaft keeps breaking off, making the wet side unusable and creating a ton of noise. I have two MP10s. Both ceramic shafts broke off. Ecotech replaced them under warranty in September. Now one of the 4 month old replacement wet sides did the same thing.

I clean them, disassembled, in citric acid every 4-8 weeks. I run them at 50% max. If I hear any noise at all I turn them off and take them out.

What am I doing wrong and how do I prevent this?

 

[Billldg]

I'm having terrible luck with MP10 wet sides. The ceramic around the metal shaft keeps breaking off, making the wet side unusable and creating a ton of noise. I have two MP10s. Both ceramic shafts broke off. Ecotech replaced them under warranty in September. Now one of the 4 month old replacement wet sides did the same thing.

I clean them, disassembled, in citric acid every 4-8 weeks. I run them at 50% max. If I hear any noise at all I turn them off and take them out.

What am I doing wrong and how do I prevent this?

First things, how thick is the tank walls? 2nd, I would not do a total break down every couple months. 3rd, I understand what you are saying about the ceramic shaft, I did a break down and cleaning of the wetsides in my build thread, are you using anything to lubricate them?

I use this, which is the same as Ecotech


I have a spare set of wetsides so I do not overclean and overuse them. I simply switch out the wetsides on MP40's and store the cleaned wetsides until I need them again. I replace them every 4-6 months, depending on the algae growth on the wetsides.

Ecotech also sells lubricant for the Versas which is the same.

My breakdown of a new MP40 wetside, notice the lubricant.

Mp40 rattles and falls off at startup

Hello! I've gotten an mp40 wqd second hand that I installed the other week. I had a real problem with the start. The dry or the wetside started rattling like crazy, which led to the wetside sliding off (down). I had to restart/realign for like three times before it stuck (and being really nice...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[rtparty]

Sounds like my latest experience with Vortechs. After 4 failed wetsides in less than a year, I sold them all off. Quality has gone way down hill over at Ecotech

 

[Jonreefer]

Those ceramic shaft are so weak and Ecotech charges a premium for cheap builds.
I broke 2. fix it yourself with shrink tube and forget about replacing. It will be better built than Ecotech

MP10 Ceramic Shaft Broken

I know this is reviving an old thread but thought it was useful. I just got an MP10 the other day and I dropped the wetside getting ready to place it in the tank :mad::mad: cracked the shaft in half the wet side still works but its got a slight rattle if I turn it up to high. I think i am going...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[BradVol]

First things, how thick is the tank walls? 2nd, I would not do a total break down every couple months. 3rd, I understand what you are saying about the ceramic shaft, I did a break down and cleaning of the wetsides in my build thread, are you using anything to lubricate them?

Mp40 rattles and falls off at startup

Hello! I've gotten an mp40 wqd second hand that I installed the other week. I had a real problem with the start. The dry or the wetside started rattling like crazy, which led to the wetside sliding off (down). I had to restart/realign for like three times before it stuck (and being really nice...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks. It's a Red Sea Reefer 170 with 10mm thickness on the glass. I only broke these down after a couple months because I was so afraid of the last ones giving up after not breaking them down. Guess I can't win on that one. I hadn't been using anything to lubricate them when I put them back together. Maybe that's where I screwed up after soaking them in citric acid?

I ordered Molykote 111 and also ordered the shrink wrap tubing to give that a shot. We will see how it goes.

I want to learn as much as anything. What are the odds that me cleaning the wet side and putting it back together without lubrication is what killed it?

 

[Jonreefer]

It will work. I shrink wrapped mine and months later it was still purring like new till I sold them and it continued to work for the new owner.

 

[Billldg]

Thanks. It's a Red Sea Reefer 170 with 10mm thickness on the glass. I only broke these down after a couple months because I was so afraid of the last ones giving up after not breaking them down. Guess I can't win on that one. I hadn't been using anything to lubricate them when I put them back together. Maybe that's where I screwed up after soaking them in citric acid?

I ordered Molykote 111 and also ordered the shrink wrap tubing to give that a shot. We will see how it goes.

I want to learn as much as anything. What are the odds that me cleaning the wet side and putting it back together without lubrication is what killed it?

Honestly, not sure, but fell lubricating them will help. I have found that the ceramic shift is thinner on the MP10's.

 

[moz71]

I will never buy one again! For the price it’s crazy how many problems and maintenance this require. I went to the jabeo oumps and never have problems. Ended up throwing t all these out. Good luck

 

[Jonreefer]

I will never buy one again! For the price it’s crazy how many problems and maintenance this require. I went to the jabeo oumps and never have problems. Ended up throwing t all these out. Good luck

Ecotech is just a greedy little company. They haven't made any changes to the pumps but have upped the price of the by about $100 in past few years. I will never buy one again.