AI Nero 5 Warning

Quoc Vu

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 19, 2018
Messages
403
Reaction score
203
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Hi

Just want to share my experience and frustration with AI Nero 5 pumps. Maybe I can help someone else avoid this terrible experience. Long story short I have 3 Nero 5 pumps and this is my 3rd one to do this after only under 2 years of use. I still have a Nero 7 which I think will be next. Wish I didn’t buy all of them at once before testing them. These pumps are not cheap so didn’t expect his kind of quality . All 3 would bulge and crack. I only know of the issue each time they get loud. I only clean them with citric acid. Never used vinegar. I am very disappointed in AI and would never recommend these. If you have these pumps make sure to check them regularly.
1749960041870.jpeg
 
OP
OP
Quoc Vu

Quoc Vu

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 19, 2018
Messages
403
Reaction score
203
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
I hardly run them hard not even past 50%
1749962153272.jpeg
 

rtparty

7500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 19, 2010
Messages
8,666
Reaction score
14,879
Location
Utah
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
I don’t know how common it is but I’ve seen this many many times and don’t use or recommend Nero’s at all.

Tunze are the most reliable and best power heads on the market IME
 
OP
OP
Quoc Vu

Quoc Vu

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 19, 2018
Messages
403
Reaction score
203
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
I don’t know how common it is but I’ve seen this many many times and don’t use or recommend Nero’s at all.

Tunze are the most reliable and best power heads on the market IME
Wish I knew about this sooner . I have AI 3 Hydra 64 lights and love them . So I got 3 Nero 5s and 1Nero 7. I will definitely updated this thread if the Nero 7 cracks too. I assumed all their products are good. I am very disappointed.
 

chapter7

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 17, 2025
Messages
232
Reaction score
195
Location
Sacramento
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Yikes! For a premium brand, that shouldn't happen that many times to you!
 
OP
OP
Quoc Vu

Quoc Vu

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 19, 2018
Messages
403
Reaction score
203
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Yikes! For a premium brand, that shouldn't happen that many times to you!
The way these are made there is no replacing any parts so I toss them in the trash. I should have kept the other 2 so I can show the 3 side by side with same exact issue . It’s a dam shame.
 

kriskool123

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Sep 24, 2014
Messages
86
Reaction score
67
Location
Miami Florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
You might be able to send photos to AI and they give you a brand new one. I already had them replace 2 out of warranty with the same rust cracks
 

BeanAnimal

7500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
9,277
Reaction score
15,568
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Replacement or not - it is a poor design or materials choice. I would not put another in the tank if they keep rusting and splitting. Maybe go with the sicce's or something?
 

get-salty

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 2, 2023
Messages
938
Reaction score
803
Location
Dallas Fort Worth
Rating - 94.4%
17   1   0
I had a Nero 5 wire pulled away from the housing where you can see the inside. I tried repairing it but gave up after several days. There was no way i could get it to be water tight.

Another tip: When you guys buy pre-owned mp 10,40, or 60s, make sure to ask the seller to take pics of the magnet - inner housing of the propeller. Those magnets can crack open like these Neros.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Quoc Vu

Quoc Vu

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
May 19, 2018
Messages
403
Reaction score
203
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
You might be able to send photos to AI and they give you a brand new one. I already had them replace 2 out of warranty with the same rust cracks
At this point I don’t want to even use those pumps anymore. I had to run carbon for a week for my sps to be happy again. Something leach into my water with that crack. Thanks for the feedback. But right now I don’t even want a free Nero if given to me.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT AMOUNT OF LIVE ROCK AND SAND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR OPTIMAL BIODIVERSITY/FILTRATION?

  • 100% live rock + bagged sand

    Votes: 34 26.4%
  • 100% dry rock + 100% live sand

    Votes: 45 34.9%
  • 50/50 live/dry rock, 50/50 live/bagged sand

    Votes: 29 22.5%
  • 75% live rock, 25% live sand

    Votes: 11 8.5%
  • 25% live rock, 75% live sand

    Votes: 10 7.8%
Back
Top