Mag Pump Randomly Leaks?

scubaguy699 · #1 01/22/2007, 08:39 PM

Hello all,
I have a Mag 9.5 pump returning water from my sump to my display. This morning it started leaking for a reason that I can not figure out. I have not touched the pump in months (since the last cleaning), nor have I touched the plumbing. Does anyone have any ideas as to what may have caused this, or thoughts on what I can do to repair it? I am hesitant to open it up, I guess I dont want to make it worse.

Brett

kookerson · #2 01/22/2007, 08:46 PM

You arent using it externally are you?.....

scubaguy699 · #3 01/22/2007, 08:52 PM

Yeah, and I have been for more than a year. Should I toss it in the sump?

kookerson · #4 01/22/2007, 10:11 PM

You should never use a mag for external use........ some last longer than others, but from what Ive seen on here at RC, sooner or later they will burn out......I know Ive seen a warning about this somewhere, I just cant remember where. being that I like trying to save as much money as possible, I would try to fix it once more and throw it in the sump. HTH! : )

Matt Rise · #5 01/22/2007, 10:13 PM

Just wait until it gets hot enough to melt down! I learned that one the hard way before there was the internet... I would never use a mg pump externally again...just me.

kookerson · #6 01/22/2007, 10:26 PM

Finally remember where I read that warning.....it was in a Marine Depot catalogue...... it might be easy to miss, but it gives the warning right in the Mag Drive section.......

scubaguy699 · #7 01/22/2007, 10:39 PM

Looks like Ill be re-doing some plumbing tomorrow. Do you think that it has been permanently damaged? I guess if it's leaking and its in the sump it wont make much difference will it?

kookerson · #8 01/22/2007, 10:48 PM

Like I said, Im a money savin' man! lol! I'd try it out first, see if it works and go from there before spending 75 bucks on a new pump.......I dont think any leakage would do any harm if it is already submerged, but I could be wrong. HTH! : )

teo241 · #9 01/22/2007, 11:30 PM

can you post where you saw the warning not to use a mag externally? it says on the box they are made to be run both in the water, or out.

i've been running two mag 12's externally for 3 years without a problem.

Mimbler1 · #10 01/22/2007, 11:33 PM

In my experience, the problem is that eventually they will leak externally , not that the pump is damaged,
Mike

kookerson · #11 01/23/2007, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kookerson
Finally remember where I read that warning.....it was in a Marine Depot catalogue...... it might be easy to miss, but it gives the warning right in the Mag Drive section.......

ricks · #12 01/23/2007, 09:54 AM

I had nothing but problems with Mag pumps... Would never use them again, and for sure not externally... Let see a mag pump for 75.00 or and external Iwaki for 235.00. I wonder which is better suited for long run performance. I find you get what you pay for. I would re-pump to sump or get new pump...

scubaguy699 · #13 01/23/2007, 02:27 PM

Yeah, in retrospect I probably wouldnt have gotten this pump to begin with. Just like I wouldnt have bought the protien skimmer I got... My excuse is that I was new to aquariums and I bought what the LFS owner suggested. He just happened to suggest what he had in stock of course. I know the reality is that I should have done more homework about what I was getting..... You know what they say about hind sight though.

TheMcs · #14 01/23/2007, 04:54 PM

Sequence pumps for the money and efficiency are hard to beat.

barbra · #15 01/23/2007, 05:03 PM

I have run 2 mag 12's externally for more than a year each without problems, although there is still some salt creep around the bolts on the face plate. I had problems keeping the tank cool in summer with the pumps internally. I moved them out and the problem has gone away. There are more expensive/better pumps, but sometimes you have to do with what you have

kookerson · #16 01/23/2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ricks
I had nothing but problems with Mag pumps... Would never use them again, and for sure not externally... Let see a mag pump for 75.00 or and external Iwaki for 235.00. I wonder which is better suited for long run performance. I find you get what you pay for. I would re-pump to sump or get new pump...

Every time I hear about the performance of Mag pumps its either that they are awesome or they totally suck......I was actually gonna buy one this weekend, but I dont know now. It just seems that $235 for a return pump is ridiculous. I do believe that you get what you pay for ( in MOST cases), but just like the octopus skimmer, there's gotta be a cheaper alternative for a good bang.......... any suggestions?

sean48183 · #17 01/23/2007, 09:13 PM

Try the Gen-x if your looking for an external. I've heard good things about these and there moderately priced.

kookerson · #18 01/23/2007, 09:32 PM

Im actually gonna need an internal pump, sorry , i shoulda been more specific..... thanks though!

Criminal#58369 · #19 01/23/2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kookerson
Finally remember where I read that warning.....it was in a Marine Depot catalogue...... it might be easy to miss, but it gives the warning right in the Mag Drive section.......

Note: Mag-Drive pumps are not recommended for external use.
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...me.asp?CartId=
I would ditch the mag and get an Eheim, little more expensive, reliable, and has a 3 year warranty.

hypermikie · #20 01/23/2007, 11:11 PM

All mags above a 1.5 have a 3 year warranty as well...

kookerson · #21 01/24/2007, 03:50 PM

ive heard some good things about eheim and never any bad......Ill most likely go with them...