MagDrive 7: Pump keeps getting "stuck"

Mekong · 05/11/2020, 04:51 PM

My magdrive 7 keeps getting stuck. Whenever it is turned off and then turned back on again theres like a 1/3 chance that the impeller is some how not going to spin and just sit there quivering. I then need to take it apart and move the impeller just slightly and it starts working again. Then when I put everything back together and all plumbed up it has like a 1/3 chance of turning back on. I had it working last week for a week straight until power was cut briefly and it started doing this again.

I cleaned the thing thoroughly, and its still happening. I tried a new replacement impeller and the same thing happened.

Any suggestions?

Is there a better submersible pump I can use?

Vinny Kreyling · 05/12/2020, 09:45 AM

Look into an Eheim, sounds like you need a new one.

Sounds Fishy · 05/16/2020, 10:25 AM

My suggestion is replace it with another Mag.Mags are resonably priced and seems they go on sale periodically....I experienced the same thing.I have several Mags.They are very dependable but one old one would always cut out after a power surge and not restart.Its okay if your at home because you can get them restarted by manually turning the impeller .The one that acted up was 8 yrs . It was a feed pump for my Reef octopus skimmer Bubble blaster pump .I didn't replace the Mag initially
since I could restart after it would stop .The time I wasn't home the impeller for my Bubble blaster broke
(Since the Mag stopped and did restart and the skimmer pump went dry). Once they start acting up they should be replaced.

Mekong · 05/16/2020, 11:34 AM

My LFS has an aquatop for $10 less than a magdrive on marinedepot, is aquatop any good?

Or should I just stick with a new MagDrive? This will be my 3rd MagDrive 7 since 2004. Not sure how bad other pumps are, got the MagDrive on recommendation here back when I started.

Is Enhime worth the 2x+ cost?

Vinny Kreyling · 05/16/2020, 04:19 PM

3 mag drives in 16 years,
Many Eheim's last longer than 12 years.
Sounds like it is.

bblumberg · 05/23/2020, 01:24 PM

As Vinny suggests, get an Eheim and it will be the last pump you ever buy. I have Eheim filters that are more than 30 years old and a 1260 hobby pump that is more than 20 years old. It has been dropped and bashed multiple times, but still works perfectly. Worth much more than twice the cost of the Mag...

guido_kp · 05/24/2020, 09:05 PM

Yep, if you can afford the eheim’s extra expense, go for it. I’ve got a 1262 that’s been 24-7 for longer than I want to admit, for fear of jinxing it haha. I think I’ve put an impeller and a shaft in it over the years. Pretty reliable. Relegate the mag drive to saltwater mixing duty. They’re good pumps but too risky to keep one around that won’t restart.

05/11/2020, 04:51 PM	#1
Mekong Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: AL Posts: 1,539	MagDrive 7: Pump keeps getting "stuck" My magdrive 7 keeps getting stuck. Whenever it is turned off and then turned back on again theres like a 1/3 chance that the impeller is some how not going to spin and just sit there quivering. I then need to take it apart and move the impeller just slightly and it starts working again. Then when I put everything back together and all plumbed up it has like a 1/3 chance of turning back on. I had it working last week for a week straight until power was cut briefly and it started doing this again. I cleaned the thing thoroughly, and its still happening. I tried a new replacement impeller and the same thing happened. Any suggestions? Is there a better submersible pump I can use? __________________ _________________________ Current Tank Info: 90g Reef from 2004-2013.

05/12/2020, 09:45 AM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Look into an Eheim, sounds like you need a new one. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

05/16/2020, 10:25 AM	#3
Sounds Fishy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Canada Posts: 532	My suggestion is replace it with another Mag.Mags are resonably priced and seems they go on sale periodically....I experienced the same thing.I have several Mags.They are very dependable but one old one would always cut out after a power surge and not restart.Its okay if your at home because you can get them restarted by manually turning the impeller .The one that acted up was 8 yrs . It was a feed pump for my Reef octopus skimmer Bubble blaster pump .I didn't replace the Mag initially since I could restart after it would stop .The time I wasn't home the impeller for my Bubble blaster broke (Since the Mag stopped and did restart and the skimmer pump went dry). Once they start acting up they should be replaced. __________________ Blue Spotted Ribbontail Stingray.Zebra Moray Eel.Aqueon 210 gallon,Trigger Ruby Elite 36 gallon sump Last edited by Sounds Fishy; 05/16/2020 at 10:40 AM.

05/16/2020, 11:34 AM	#4
Mekong Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: AL Posts: 1,539	My LFS has an aquatop for $10 less than a magdrive on marinedepot, is aquatop any good? Or should I just stick with a new MagDrive? This will be my 3rd MagDrive 7 since 2004. Not sure how bad other pumps are, got the MagDrive on recommendation here back when I started. Is Enhime worth the 2x+ cost? __________________ _________________________ Current Tank Info: 90g Reef from 2004-2013. Last edited by Mekong; 05/16/2020 at 11:40 AM.

05/16/2020, 04:19 PM	#5
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	3 mag drives in 16 years, Many Eheim's last longer than 12 years. Sounds like it is. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

05/23/2020, 01:24 PM	#6
bblumberg Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 606	As Vinny suggests, get an Eheim and it will be the last pump you ever buy. I have Eheim filters that are more than 30 years old and a 1260 hobby pump that is more than 20 years old. It has been dropped and bashed multiple times, but still works perfectly. Worth much more than twice the cost of the Mag... __________________ Bruce Current Tank Info: 150G mixed reef (6x Blue Acro 20K Pro COB LEDs, 4x 80W T5 supplement), 150g fw discus (T5 lighting), 110G fw Angelfish (DIY LED lighting), 4 x 40 g frag tanks (DIY LED).

05/24/2020, 09:05 PM	#7
guido_kp Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Muskogee, OK Posts: 248	Yep, if you can afford the eheim’s extra expense, go for it. I’ve got a 1262 that’s been 24-7 for longer than I want to admit, for fear of jinxing it haha. I think I’ve put an impeller and a shaft in it over the years. Pretty reliable. Relegate the mag drive to saltwater mixing duty. They’re good pumps but too risky to keep one around that won’t restart.