PDA

View Full Version : magdrive pump reliabilty


cap23244
05/15/2009, 09:49 AM
are the mag drives reliable. do they have any problems restarting after power outages? let me know your experieance's with these pumps
thanks

EllieSuz
05/15/2009, 09:54 AM
Mine has been running about a year and a half. It starts right up whenever I shut it down for a water change. I hauled it out and gave it a good cleaning the other day, but other than that, no issues

fufu
05/15/2009, 10:19 AM
I had mine used wet and dry for 3+ years now. No problem. They always restart during power outtage. I like their reliability just I dont like how loud they are.

Pohono
05/15/2009, 04:04 PM
Never noticed the loudness everyone seems to have with their mags (I run a mag 12 to feed tank and fuge). Mine is turned off at least once a day during feeding, and has always started up. Did have to replace what I would call the 'drive shaft'....(shaft that runs the whole length of the impeller) when it broke while taking pump apart of maintenance once (my fault?)....not sure how common such a breakage is, but was a bit miffed to have to buy the whole impeller assembly rather than a single piece of plastic rod.
I may not notice the noise of my Mag because I also run a Remora Pro skimmer, which is apparently also loud ;)

waldomas
05/15/2009, 04:09 PM
I had a terrible time with mine although I'm not one to clean my pumps regularly. I would always worry every time the power went out. Sometimes it would restart w/ just a tap, others I had to tear it apart.

I finally replaced it w/ an Eheim.

cap23244
05/15/2009, 04:38 PM
ok keep the experiences with the pumps coming. i would like to get a few more opions
thanks

emoore
05/15/2009, 04:52 PM
I have had running as a return pump for 4 years on 3 different tanks. It has never quit on me. You do have to clean them like any pump. I clean mine about every 3 months.

MatthewLaw
05/15/2009, 07:09 PM
no problems with mine. i have two mag5s and one mag3.

Indymann99
05/15/2009, 07:12 PM
I prob abuse my Mag the worst of all.

My mix tank uses a Mag 9.5, it is on a timer that runs for 20min every 2 hrs, 24x7x365. 1 year and so far working fine.

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/MixStorage.jpg

MatthewLaw
05/15/2009, 07:14 PM
i really like that mixing bin setup. i use a similar setup from my overflow to outside refugium and then into the sump.

dew2loud1
05/15/2009, 07:28 PM
I've had good luck with the small ones, mag 3-9.5
Not a fan of the larger ones, mag 12,18,24 with the larger ones i've had lots of shafts break on power restarts and also talked to a fish store that ran the mag 36's and they go through several shafts on each one a year.

moondoggy4
05/15/2009, 08:13 PM
I've been using a Mag 7 for 5 years now and sometimes I have to hit it to make it restart. but it has never quite on me and still going strong. I used to run two return pumps so it wasn't a big concern.

corals b 4 bills
05/15/2009, 08:27 PM
I have a mag 12 that I've been using on my 155 for over 3 years and I have never cleaned it once (reason for not is that I've been waiting to set up my 225), I would recomsnd this pump for a tank up to 150 gallons after that go Reeflo. I own 4 mag drive pumps because they ARE plug and play.

gooyferret
05/15/2009, 08:36 PM
Mag Drives are like a good Magnum! They never let you down! HAHA

ROLLINS240Z
05/15/2009, 08:51 PM
I have an 18 and a 7, with a backup for each. I do clean them every 6 months. I have had my 18 stop working after about 1 year, but with a good vinegar bath on the impeller it was back running in no time.

chris4869
05/15/2009, 11:48 PM
I'm not a fan of the Mag pumps. I owned 4 of the Mag 7 myself, and they can't take the abuse like my Eheims. They run hotter and louder too. They're great for mixing salt water though.

I lost them all after a year, and will never waste any more money on them again. Lesson learned.

scaryperson27
05/16/2009, 12:00 AM
At the LFS there is a mag 7 that pretty much tore itself apart. The part on the intake where the top of the shaft sits, completely destroyed itself. I think it was around 2-3 years old.

staninct
05/16/2009, 05:49 PM
I used a Mag 3 on a remora for a while, it was pretty noisy and did produce some heat. I've never used one for a return, but a good friend of mine used a 5 in his 10g sump and it was really noisy and got pretty hot. I decided to buck up for an Eheim 1250 for the return from my 10g sump to my display and its dead silent and cool to the touch. I did a lot of research on return pumps recently before setting mine up and am very happy with the Eheim.

Stanley-Reefer
05/16/2009, 07:28 PM
Solid--best pump of its size for the $$$

SHAKEEL
05/16/2009, 10:06 PM
i run a mag 12 after i broke the impeller shaft while cleaning i still put it back together and it still ran for a year but wore down the volute so i replaced the volute and the shaft and it still running quite as usaul great pump.

bvoss57
05/17/2009, 06:43 AM
They do sieze up if your Alk levels get out of hand. Keep some vinegar handy if you ever overdose on Kalk or run your Ca Reactor too hard.

RicksReefs
05/17/2009, 07:54 AM
any pump can get precipped calc/alk and need to be cleaned.
Mag shafts are ceramic not plastic.
when an impellor is off balance (calcium deposits, crud, mesh mods, etc.) it wears one side of the impellor magnet and you get an oval shaft opening, which can lead to that 'tap it and it will run' and 'chewed the volute' syndrome , but it's only a matter of time before you need a new impellor and/or volute.
with that being said, Mags are my pump of choice. solid built and dependable. I have a Mag24 that's been running nonstop for 15 years with one impellor replacement. others have been with me for 7-10 years with just regular maintenance.
thoroughly clean and decalcify all pumps and powerheads at least a couple times a year and you'll increase it's lifespan quite a bit.