Mag Pump troubles

[akm]

I've had a mag as a return for about a year and lately it's been barely pumping. I soaked it in vinegar and scrubbed everything but it still barely pumps. There isn't anything in the return line because it wouldnt pump in a bucket either. so can anyone tell me how to fix it?

[GaryP]

Did you take the impellor apart and soak it that way? Sometimes something will get caught in there, or there is some scale, and the impellor won't spin freely on the shaft.

[akm]

Take the impellar completely apart like the magnet and stuff or just ake it out and soak it? I just took it out. Would that make it go from 1800 gph to maybe 100 gph?

[GaryP]

Yea, remove the little end caps at the end of the impellor shaft and try to pull the shaft out. If it doesn't slide out easily, that's probably your problem. You may have to soak it and try to work it in and out until finally it will free up. A little bit of scale will build up in there and its enough to keep it from spinning freely.

[alton]

I believe that Mag Pumps have a three year warranty? If all fails take it back to the store you purchased it at or contact the manufacure. What I do is purchase 10' of 3/4" tubing fill it with vinegar attach it to the pump and run it for a few minutes and then fill it with RO water and do the same.

[matt]

Try cleaning the impeller shaft as suggested; that should perk it up. But, you should know that there's no way a mag 18 is even close to 1800gph no matter what they say, and they do seem to really slow down with some age, even when they're clean. I could never quite figure that one out.

If you don't believe me about the flow, try a year old mag 18 and a year old iwaki 70rlt, both "rated" for 1800 gph. on the same eplumbing loop sometime. You'll be amazed.

[GaryP]

If all else fails, get a spare impellor. I know that CB Pets has gotten me one for a Mag in the past and I assume some of the other LFS can get them too.

[JimD]

"impellor, impellar, impeller", lol, which is it?

[witecap4u]

"impellor, impellar, impeller", lol, which is it?

From Webster.com

impeller
One entry found for impeller.


Main Entry: im·pel·ler
Variant(s): also im·pel·lor /im-'pe-l&r/
Function: noun
1 : one that impels
2 a : a rotor located in a conduit to impart motion to a fluid b : a blade of a rotor



Suggestions for impellar:
1. impaler
2. impeller
3. impellor
4. impalers
5. impellers
6. impelled
7. impaled
8. impearled
9. impairer
10. impala

[Reef69]

..I think its impaler...but im not too sure...

[beareef19]

you might also check to se if it is worn out I had a Mag 7 and some how or another the impeller wore to one side, the flow was getting slower and slower took it apart to clean it and I saw the internal ware, where the black rubber caps are.

[akm]

Well I cleaned the impellor and everything but it still doesnt work. I find anything wrong with the impellor so is there a way I find out if something is wrong with the insides.



But, you should know that there's no way a mag 18 is even close to 1800gph no matter what they say

I know these pumps aren't great but they're cheap.

[brewercm]

..I think its impaler...but im not too sure...



That was Vlad.

[LoneStar]

is it a derivant from impala?

[bprewit]

just curious if you remover the impeller from the pump and hold the magnet part to keep it from turning and try and turn the actual blade part of the impeller. It should move freely maybe 45degrees then stop and not turn any further independant of the magnet. Sometimes the plastic breaks and the actual magnet turns are normal speed but the impeller (blade) slips so you get way reduced flow. Only fix for that is a new impeller assembly.