Vortech MP40 failure :(

klwheat · 06/20/2012, 12:02 PM

So, I have an MP40 on my stingray tank that just went bad

It's less than 30 days old, so still under warranty. Just noticed night before last that it sounded different. Just a high-pitched spinning rather than the normal pumping sound. Sure enough....NO water movement.
To Ecotech's credit, my wife called yesterday, and they shipped me a new one with a postpaid label to return the old one - shipped same day as the call. Great customer service.
Now, I understand that with ANY electronic device there are going to be some that just fail....that's the way it is.
What I'm wondering...is this common with these? I'd read/heard great things about them. I have 3 radions and the MP40 from ecotech and have been thrilled with the quality - until this happened. Is this just a fluke? Or is this commonplace for these pumps?
TIA for input!

vitodog · 06/20/2012, 12:23 PM

I've been running a MP40 and a MP10 on my 90 gal. for going on 3 years now without any problems. I think the law of averages caught up with the Vortech you purchased. Every now and then a defective piece of equipment slips through quality control. I also have 2 Radions. I really like them but I think Ecotech has to work on a few kinks some people are having with them. Also, you can't beat the customer service. Good luck.

solitude127 · 06/20/2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klwheat

So, I have an MP40 on my stingray tank that just went bad

It's less than 30 days old, so still under warranty. Just noticed night before last that it sounded different. Just a high-pitched spinning rather than the normal pumping sound. Sure enough....NO water movement.
To Ecotech's credit, my wife called yesterday, and they shipped me a new one with a postpaid label to return the old one - shipped same day as the call. Great customer service.
Now, I understand that with ANY electronic device there are going to be some that just fail....that's the way it is.
What I'm wondering...is this common with these? I'd read/heard great things about them. I have 3 radions and the MP40 from ecotech and have been thrilled with the quality - until this happened. Is this just a fluke? Or is this commonplace for these pumps?
TIA for input!

Sound like the magnet on the dry side was not screwed into the motor correctly. Either way, at least Ecotech is taking care of you.

Toadally · 06/20/2012, 06:59 PM

Same here.... almost three years with MP40 and MP10's no issues.

Steve175 · 06/21/2012, 12:22 AM

I have 3 MP 40s - all of which I have replaced (at least once) over the past 4 years. They are better now that they are more waterproof. Regardless, the MP 40s are relegated to the 220G frag and I use large Tunzes in the DT. Your sense of reliability is spot-on. Having said that, their customer service IS great: if you can afford to have an extra unit standing by to bridge the 1-2 week wait for replacement, you will be good. Their motherboards are $100 each. I now own 4 extras.

06/20/2012, 12:02 PM	#1
klwheat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 676	Vortech MP40 failure :( So, I have an MP40 on my stingray tank that just went bad It's less than 30 days old, so still under warranty. Just noticed night before last that it sounded different. Just a high-pitched spinning rather than the normal pumping sound. Sure enough....NO water movement. To Ecotech's credit, my wife called yesterday, and they shipped me a new one with a postpaid label to return the old one - shipped same day as the call. Great customer service. Now, I understand that with ANY electronic device there are going to be some that just fail....that's the way it is. What I'm wondering...is this common with these? I'd read/heard great things about them. I have 3 radions and the MP40 from ecotech and have been thrilled with the quality - until this happened. Is this just a fluke? Or is this commonplace for these pumps? TIA for input! __________________ 180 Gallon Mixed reef President/Co-founder Running4Trisomy A Butterfly's Touch

06/20/2012, 06:59 PM	#4
Toadally Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Mount Holly, NC Posts: 986	Same here.... almost three years with MP40 and MP10's no issues. __________________ _Michael "Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?" Reef Aquarium Society of Charlotte (RASOC) Treasurer Current Tank Info: 57gal. Illuminata, Bubble Magus Skimmer, Tek Elite 6x39w, 40gal. Breeder, 2x A150w Kessil LED

06/21/2012, 12:22 AM	#5
Steve175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,186	I have 3 MP 40s - all of which I have replaced (at least once) over the past 4 years. They are better now that they are more waterproof. Regardless, the MP 40s are relegated to the 220G frag and I use large Tunzes in the DT. Your sense of reliability is spot-on. Having said that, their customer service IS great: if you can afford to have an extra unit standing by to bridge the 1-2 week wait for replacement, you will be good. Their motherboards are $100 each. I now own 4 extras. __________________ Steve ---------------------------------- Current Tank Info: 2 separate 250G bowfront rimless ELOS tanks plumbed to 260G sump, 220G refugium, 220G frag, BK DeLuxe 300, 400W MH x4, closed loops, 3/4hp chiller x2, Phos reactor, Kalk reactor, Charcoal reactor, Ca reactor, 60G surge tanks, & a huge elec bill

06/20/2012, 12:23 PM	#2
vitodog Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 1,226	I've been running a MP40 and a MP10 on my 90 gal. for going on 3 years now without any problems. I think the law of averages caught up with the Vortech you purchased. Every now and then a defective piece of equipment slips through quality control. I also have 2 Radions. I really like them but I think Ecotech has to work on a few kinks some people are having with them. Also, you can't beat the customer service. Good luck.