Replacing Mag 7

Axelrodi202 · Sep 30, 2017

On my tank I have two Eheim 2217. I drive one externally with a Mag Drive 7 pump I've been using since late 2015. For the past few months the pump has been really noisy and I've wanted to replace it, but held off since it was still functioning fine.

Well now I notice that the filter system it drives often has reduced flow, leading to an algae increase. So now I have an excuse to replace the noise machine! Off the top of my head I'm considering Iwaki or Eheim, but am open to suggestions. Quiet is nice, but secondary to reliability. Within Iwaki and Eheim, what models would be comparable to the Mag 7 in flow rate?

ps2cho · Oct 1, 2017

Have you made sure it's just not calcium build up? Soak it in vinegar overnight before calling it toast

Axelrodi202 · Oct 1, 2017

Surprisingly the pump interior is quite clean, not even much bio-slime. No snails or anything trapped inside.

Also this is a freshwater tank, so at most around 20 ppm Ca in the water. But I come to Reef2Reef because reef folks think way more about gear than freshwater people do!

Blue Ring Octopus · Oct 1, 2017

Eheim 1260 is compatible with a Mag 7. I have some old eheim canister filter lying around a 2013 and a 2017,over 30 years old.

Axelrodi202 · Oct 1, 2017

Blue Spot Octopus said:
Eheim 1260 is compatible with a Mag 7. I have some old eheim canister filter lying around a 2013 and a 2017,over 30 years old.

Thanks; I'll check it out! How's the noise from the 1260?

Blue Ring Octopus · Oct 2, 2017

Eheim are usually pretty quiet and have a slight hum to them, they can heat the water, but I would say quieter than a normal running Mag 7 and cooler than a Mag 7 as well.

Axelrodi202 · Oct 4, 2017

I ended up going for an Iwaki MD-30RT (600 GPH), along with a union ball valve to allow for dialing down the flow if it's too much. A good tip BRS gave me for comparing flow rates of different pumps is comparing the time it takes for each to fill a 5 gallon bucket. I decided on Iwaki because of the reputation for good reliability and pressure-rating. I travel a lot so am not always around to notice sludge building up in the filter tubing and constricting flow from a less pressure-rated pump.