Noisy Vortech, troubleshooting ideas?

[Jake28]

Bought a brand new MP10 QD not too long ago. I put it in my tank for the first time last night and it was making WAY too much noise. I’ve been researching forums and I know to expect some noise, moreso when it’s breaking in, but this is really loud. It almost sounds like a jackhammer.



Im pretty sure it’s the wet side assembly that’s causing it. The dry side was practically silent when I briefly ran it by itself. I took the wet side apart and examined all of the parts, I couldn’t really notice anything that may be causing this rattling/jackhammer noise. I reassembled it, put it back in on constant speed, and tried moving it around like the manual suggests. No change in noise regardless how much I fine tuned the wetsides placement.



I plan on contacting Ecotech during the week if I’m able to find the time, but I was curious if there was anyone who might offer some experience or insight into this issue. I’d rather not go through the hassle if it’s something I can fix on my end.



Thanks!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Double check that the ceramic shaft the impeller rides on is fully intact. Alot of times if the package is mishandled during shipping or the wetside is dropped, the ceramic shaft cracks and brakes.

 

[Jonreefer]

what is the thickness of the glass. I just got one few days ago and my glass was right on the cusp of not using the rubber spacer and using the spacer. When i first tried without the spacer it was very loud and just seemed like a $20 point of sale pump. So I decided to use the spacer and it made a BIG difference in how quiet it was. Granted its pretty quiet using it in reefcrest mode or anymode other than short pulse. Even with the spacer the pump is very noisy in pulse mode and would never us it in that mode. Kinda disappointing for something of this price tag but I use it in reefcrest so its pretty quiet for me other when it hits its peak full power part and I can hear a little bit

 

[Flippers4pups]

Sounds like a bad bearing. Also look rust on your magnet.

 

[Jonreefer]

Sounds like a bad bearing. Also look rust on your magnet.

why would there be rust on a brand new pump he bought?

 

[Flippers4pups]

why would there be rust on a brand new pump he bought?

"Not long ago" is subjective.

There has been uncountless accounts of them rusting. Checking for separation of the magnet plastic is warranted. This would not be the reason for the noise, but should be done on a frequent basis.

@Crabs Mcjones is correct, could be broken shaft. Bad bearing could be a issue. Any manufacturer can have a bad batch of parts.

 

[Jake28]

Double check that the ceramic shaft the impeller rides on is fully intact. Alot of times if the package is mishandled during shipping or the wetside is dropped, the ceramic shaft cracks and brakes.

Just gave it a look, appears to be fully intact, no visible damage or uneven areas.

 

[Crabs McJones]

The mp10s didnt have any bearings on the wetside :)I'm almost 100% positive if you check the ceramic shaft that the impeller spins on, itll be cracked or broken off. When this happens the impeller is allowed to jiggle around, making your noise

 

[Crabs McJones]

Just gave it a look, appears to be fully intact, no visible damage or uneven areas.

Did you take the unit apart?

 

[Jake28]

what is the thickness of the glass. I just got one few days ago and my glass was right on the cusp of not using the rubber spacer and using the spacer. When i first tried without the spacer it was very loud and just seemed like a $20 point of sale pump. So I decided to use the spacer and it made a BIG difference in how quiet it was. Granted its pretty quiet using it in reefcrest mode or anymode other than short pulse. Even with the spacer the pump is very noisy in pulse mode and would never us it in that mode. Kinda disappointing for something of this price tag but I use it in reefcrest so its pretty quiet for me other when it hits its peak full power part and I can hear a little bit

Glass thickness is right on the cusp. I tried with and without the spacer and I couldn’t really hear or feel (wet side vibration) a difference. I totally agree with reef crest, it’s the quietest option by far...but still super noisy in this case.

 

[Jake28]

Did you take the unit apart?

Yes, as much as I think I could.

 

[Jake28]

I started flicking the propeller with the nozzle off of the assembly and it’s definitely rubbing against something. It makes a ticking noise with every turn and also feels lopsided when holding it while it’s rotating

 

[Crabs McJones]

The ceramic shaft doesnt spin as well does it.

 

[Jake28]

The ceramic shaft doesnt spin as well does it.

Yeah doesn’t feel like it. If I give it a flick it’ll spin quite a few times before stopping, but the noise it makes while doing so says somethings up. I can’t visibly see anything wrong with it, but now I don’t see what else could be causing this.

 

[Jake28]

The ceramic shaft doesnt spin as well does it.

Oh if you mean does the shaft physically spin, no it does not...it’s tightly sealed in there

 

[Crabs McJones]

Yeah doesn’t feel like it. If I give it a flick it’ll spin quite a few times before stopping, but the noise it makes while doing so says somethings up. I can’t visibly see anything wrong with it, but now I don’t see what else could be causing this.

What happens if you pull the impeller off the shaft. Should be three tabs around the base that holds it onto the housing

 

[Crabs McJones]

Oh if you mean does the shaft physically spin, no it does not...it’s tightly sealed in there

Hmmm then I'm at a loss.

 

[Jake28]

Hmmm then I'm at a loss.

Dang, sounds like I’ll have to give try and give Ecotech a call Monday. Maybe I can convince them to send me a replacement wet side if it’s the ceramic shaft.

Thank you for all the help everyone!

 

[ca1ore]

Odd that a never used wet side would be problematic. I’d just call ETM. Hopefully ‘not too long ago’ doesn’t exceed the warranty.

 

[Saltyreef]

I dont have any issues like this with my mp10 QD but my original mp10w has a missing bushing where the shaft fits into the impeller guard and makes the noise you describe. I only get it to go away running the pump in constant speed mode and repositioning the wetside until its silent