Vortech pumps & snails

[Rvela]

Has anyone had any problems with their Vortechs and snails wanting to go IN the wetside? I have had my 2nd shaft snap in two because of this...I think. The first time, the whole wetside started spinning and thought all it needed was a cleaning only to find out that the shaft had broke. The second time, I came home in the morning and the wetside was at the bottom of my tank. This time the shaft was visibly bent and was out of balance which made a loud thuddering sound.

Both times I have had the wetside replaced quite quickly by the service dept. I do not use the foam that comes with the pump, but I think I will try that after both instances. Does it hamper the output of the pump?

I will expirment with some netting at the output side of the pump and some tie-wraps to keep those boogers out. I'll keep yall posted...

[Europhyllia]

the intake slots look so narrow. I can't imagine a snail large enough to cause damage could squeeze itself into that...

[Rvela]

What they do is travel from the glass panel over the intake portion & into the front of the vortech. It makes a loud thumping sound from the propeller hitting the snail. I have seen it with my own two eyes!

[Europhyllia]

weird! I don't think the foam cover would help you any then. Glad my snails haven't tried this.

[CoryDude]

I was wondering if you had them getting in from the front side.

Yeah, the foam filter wouldn't help at all. I've had them clean the top of the wetside, but no one's ever gone inside. Most of my astrea snails are too big to fit in there, I think.

[Rvela]

bump

[Europhyllia]

I'd just use some netting on the front like you suggested. Shouldn't alter output much at all.

[Rvela]

Yeah. I'm looking for some netting like what other reefers use for jumping fish which they put on the tops of the tanks. Going to try Home Depot or hobby Lobby.