Ampmaster pump problem

[captexas]

I have had a Dolphin Ampmaster 2100 as the return pump on my tank for almost a year now. Yesterday while showing my setup to a friend I noticed something weird looking at the base of the pump. On closer inspection it was a hard lump of corrosion and mold. I found the wet end had a small leak and it had mold around it as well. The impeller shaft also looked corroded. This freaked me out especially after being in use for just under a year! I do know where my allergie problems are coming from now though! lol.

So has anyone else had this happen? I have heard that the Ampmasters sometimes have problems with the seals on them. I'm wondering if this is the seal or the entire wet-end? Either way, I am trying to find out if this is covered under warranty as they have a 9 year warranty on them. I can't send it in as it is still in use, but hopefully they can send me the part or something. I'm going to have to cut that section of carpet out as it is ruined now. Kind of upsetting.

[captexas]

Check that, just read it and found the warranty is now only one year! Bastards! I thought they were better than that. Oh well, looks like I have to spend some money again.

[360Reef]

I am also running and Ampmaster and I believe the problem was with pre-2004 pump seals. So far mine has not started leaking, knock on wood.

-Greg

[::pete::]

I just purchased a 3000 used with a new seal. Hope it last more than a year, but at 150. I guess a seal in a year isnt too bad.

[Tim Marvin]

I am running 4 that are 2yrs, and 1.5 yrs. No leaks yet...

[Tim Marvin]

Did you try unscrewing the pump housing, check the O ring and put a film of vasaline on the O ring and tighten it back up?

[captexas]

Haven't messed with it yet. It will need a good scrubbing just to get the gunk off of it. I really don't have the money, but I will probably just order a new pump and a new seal. I'll swap out the pumps and then put the new seal on the old pump and give it a good cleaning. Probably good to have a back-up pump around anyways. I still have that monster Sequence pump, but it would probably blow water out the top of my tank! lol

[wkopplin]

Mine is almost dead, but running them dry for several hours is probably not the best thing to do.

[RobertG]

Could any parts be recycled outta these two bad situations? Maybe make one in the end. Sure sounds like a rotten deal.

[wkopplin]

I am probably going to send mine back to Dolphin and see if they can fix it. It is a 5200 and I would hate to see it die. After this last mess, I am keeping a backup pump around. I am seriously thinking about buying a second chiller too so I have it around just in case.

[captexas]

Dolphin might be able to fix it, just a matter of how much it's going to cost. I thought their warranty was much longer, but it's only a year. Mine just ended. Even if it was still good I would have to pay for shipping it to them which is no good anyways as it leaves me without a pump. They also exclude coverage for certain things.

[wkopplin]

Mine is six months old. Running it dry is probably where I wll run into problems.