Noisy mag drive pump

birch · 12/22/2008, 10:12 AM

I started up my mag 12 pump last night (it is in my sump) and it worked great and was humming along. But, I noticed it was making a slight knocking or clicking noise. Is this normal, or should I get it replaced? Maybe I'm too picky, but it was bugging me and I want my pump to be silent. Thanks.

old salty · 12/22/2008, 10:16 AM

I also use a Mag12 pump. A while back, I had all PVC plumbing and it looked nice. When I upgraded tanks, I had to remove the PVC, so I temporarily used spa flex. Turns out that when the pump is not touching any part of the sump, it is dead silent!! Rather than re-plumb the system with PVC, I kept the spa flex and have a much quieter system.

jpsk8man · 12/22/2008, 10:24 AM

if its a clicking noise, maybe the cover of the impeller is cracked and you would need to purchase a new cover for it. from my experience they crack quite often. but yeah they do tend to vibrate lots, i will usually put something underneath it like old salty does...

birch · 12/22/2008, 10:27 AM

Thanks for the advice...I use spa tubing as well and I think I could suspend the pump so it is not touching anything but I don't think that's the problem. While it was running I lifted it up a bit, but it was still making the noise.

Al · 12/22/2008, 10:42 AM

You might try replacing the impeller. Sometimes a blade gets damaged on them and it makes the impeller spin off center.

birch · 12/22/2008, 11:38 AM

Thanks for the advice...sounds like I may have an impeller issue from what everyone is saying.

12/22/2008, 10:12 AM	#1
birch Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 124	Noisy mag drive pump I started up my mag 12 pump last night (it is in my sump) and it worked great and was humming along. But, I noticed it was making a slight knocking or clicking noise. Is this normal, or should I get it replaced? Maybe I'm too picky, but it was bugging me and I want my pump to be silent. Thanks.

12/22/2008, 10:16 AM	#2
old salty Genius Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Island of Misfit Toys Posts: 3,131	I also use a Mag12 pump. A while back, I had all PVC plumbing and it looked nice. When I upgraded tanks, I had to remove the PVC, so I temporarily used spa flex. Turns out that when the pump is not touching any part of the sump, it is dead silent!! Rather than re-plumb the system with PVC, I kept the spa flex and have a much quieter system. __________________ "The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers." Thomas Jefferson Current Tank Info: Out of the marine aquarium hobby

12/22/2008, 10:24 AM	#3
jpsk8man Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 140	if its a clicking noise, maybe the cover of the impeller is cracked and you would need to purchase a new cover for it. from my experience they crack quite often. but yeah they do tend to vibrate lots, i will usually put something underneath it like old salty does...

12/22/2008, 10:27 AM	#4
birch Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 124	Thanks for the advice...I use spa tubing as well and I think I could suspend the pump so it is not touching anything but I don't think that's the problem. While it was running I lifted it up a bit, but it was still making the noise.

12/22/2008, 10:42 AM	#5
Al Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 503	You might try replacing the impeller. Sometimes a blade gets damaged on them and it makes the impeller spin off center.

12/22/2008, 11:38 AM	#6
birch Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 124	Thanks for the advice...sounds like I may have an impeller issue from what everyone is saying.