Is this corroded?

MC Blowfish

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 3, 2025
Messages
321
Reaction score
478
Location
Iowa
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I woke up to my pump not running on my IM15. I took the pump out and the cord that runs from the AC adapter to the pump smells burnt. It looks corroded on the inside.

71edb054-b333-4173-927c-5396b8010266.jpg
ce51ad1d-8d60-4c2c-a6a5-15e7776c53ea.jpg
 

W31Olds

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 13, 2024
Messages
1,844
Reaction score
1,597
Location
Timonium
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
This is a common problem with these types of connectors that were never designed for harsh conditions.
I bought some AI Hydra 26 Lights and all had problems at the AC/DC Connection. They were very cheap because of this. I had to replace 1 connector because the Center Pin was corroded so bad it was missing. This is usually the problem area. I used Dental Picks and Contact Cleaner but you can only do so much with that.
 
OP
OP
MC Blowfish

MC Blowfish

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 3, 2025
Messages
321
Reaction score
478
Location
Iowa
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I'm going to see if I can find a pump at Petsmart. Atleast I only have some GSP in the tank and it seems happy.
 

MasterClassReefs

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 6, 2026
Messages
859
Reaction score
2,378
Location
Visalia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
This is a common problem with these types of connectors that were never designed for harsh conditions.
I bought some AI Hydra 26 Lights and all had problems at the AC/DC Connection. They were very cheap because of this. I had to replace 1 connector because the Center Pin was corroded so bad it was missing. This is usually the problem area. I used Dental Picks and Contact Cleaner but you can only do so much with that.
I have had AI lights and wont get them again. Melted lenses, fires, burnt out diodes, not one fixture lasted more than 2 years for me and I had half a dozen. That line of products and their service dove off a cliff when they sold AI.
 

MegabiteOG

<< HIT Squad's >> "Master Probater lvl4.47329764”
View Badges
Joined
May 5, 2025
Messages
2,118
Reaction score
9,356
Location
Dallas, GA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Interesting. You have run into this too? I have never had plugs corrode on me.
I tend to keep electrical connections well away from where it can get wet or very high moisture, but sometimes it's unavoidable. I had a cheap light for my refugium on another tank with the same type of plug. Light sat right over the sump. Dielectric grease helps repel moisture and salt helping with corrosion and keeping a solid contact. I used it a lot on electrical components in boats.
 
OP
OP
MC Blowfish

MC Blowfish

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 3, 2025
Messages
321
Reaction score
478
Location
Iowa
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Where is the plug being kept for this pump?

It was hanging just over the tank. I checked for water and I didn't feel anything. I don't know if it got bumped and fell in the tank and my son took it out. Or if when I was doing maintenance last week, I got it wet.
 

MasterClassReefs

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 6, 2026
Messages
859
Reaction score
2,378
Location
Visalia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Interesting. You have run into this too? I have never had plugs corrode on me.
I tend to keep electrical connections well away from where it can get wet or very high moisture, but sometimes it's unavoidable. I had a cheap light for my refugium on another tank with the same type of plug. Light sat right over the sump. Dielectric grease helps repel moisture and salt helping with corrosion and keeping a solid contact. I used it a lot on electrical components in boats.
Going to keep this one tucked away for future use. Thanks for the tip and something for me to pay attention to. 🙂
 

MasterClassReefs

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 6, 2026
Messages
859
Reaction score
2,378
Location
Visalia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Where is the plug being kept for this pump?

It was hanging just over the tank. I checked for water and I didn't feel anything. I don't know if it got bumped and fell in the tank and my son took it out. Or if when I was doing maintenance last week, I got it wet.
Close proximity to water near a saltwater tank is a dangerous place for corrosive equipment even if they dont directly fall in. This was my first time seeing a plug corroded. Going to have me looking for things to grease 🤣.
 
OP
OP
MC Blowfish

MC Blowfish

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Aug 3, 2025
Messages
321
Reaction score
478
Location
Iowa
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Close proximity to water near a saltwater tank is a dangerous place for corrosive equipment even if they dont directly fall in. This was my first time seeing a plug corroded. Going to have me looking for things to grease 🤣.

Lesson learned my friend. Normally, I make sure the cables are all a distance away. I'm just glad I decided to work from home today and I noticed that pump wasn't running.
 

MasterClassReefs

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 6, 2026
Messages
859
Reaction score
2,378
Location
Visalia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Close proximity to water near a saltwater tank is a dangerous place for corrosive equipment even if they dont directly fall in. This was my first time seeing a plug corroded. Going to have me looking for things to grease 🤣.

Lesson learned my friend. Normally, I make sure the cables are all a distance away. I'm just glad I decided to work from home today and I noticed that pump wasn't running.
Yes, fortunate catch! In this hobby we never stop learning!
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

DO YOU THINK TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS ARE MORE HELPFUL OR HURTFUL TO REEFING?

  • More helpful.

    Votes: 34 39.1%
  • More hurtful.

    Votes: 4 4.6%
  • I think it depends mostly on the technology.

    Votes: 34 39.1%
  • I think it dependsmostly on the reefer behind the technology.

    Votes: 28 32.2%
Back
Top
Home
Post thread…
Market
What's new