Return Pumps, Am I expecting too much?

[Generator]

Good afternoon!

A little guidance would be appreciated! I've had my AIO set up since May of 2024. The only equipment failure I've had is both MightyJet 538 return pumps. Both were the same issue, the impellers cracked right up the middle. The first pump after 6 months, the 2nd pump just a few days ago.

I like the pumps. They're very quiet, easy to use, clean and don't have any more or less features than I need. I was getting ready to purchase one as a backup and then the 2nd impeller failed. Am I expecting too much?

Another issue was the cost of the impeller $53 with shipping for a $159 pump. Am I being a cheap butt? I don't mind spending money it just seems excessive for a pump that costs so little and a lot if I have to replace them so often.

What's normal on salt equipment?

The last issue and probably the one I find most aggravating is ordering the impeller isn't just click and put it in the cart. Even though I have the part number I have to email because it's not on IM's website. Wait however many days for a response. Send a photo of the offending impeller to confirm it is in fact that part#, if they have it, how much it is. Then I have to respond if I want it, wait to be invoiced then pay the invoice. Yes, I'm thankful I can order the part and also grateful I don't have to return a wrong order but it still seem like it should be easier. I'd like to think I can spend a little more up front on something different and spend less on parts in the long run and have ready access to parts if I need them. Is this impeller wear normal?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I'm not familiar with that brand, but for me, 3 times is the limit. Pumps should last for years IMO, sure sometimes you might get a dud, but 3 times? I've had great success with Sicce, their pumps have lasted me years. Good luck

 

[Fish Fan]

I've got two of the MightyJet 326's going now, and I had been using a MightyJet 538, and I've got the very similar Jeabo DC return pump; all have worked well for me. My only thought is that maybe you're getting sand into the impeller? I can't think of any reason why this would happen other than that.

 

[Generator]

I'm not familiar with that brand, but for me, 3 times is the limit. Pumps should last for years IMO, sure sometimes you might get a dud, but 3 times? I've had great success with Sicce, their pumps have lasted me years. Good luck

2 return pumps purchased at the same time, the impellers failed at different intervals. The 1st at 6 months the 2nd at 18 months. The replacement impeller hasn't yet failed, it's been working for another 12 months so far but it appears to be the same material as the original. The impeller just failed in the 2nd pump. So 2 failures. I've not yet ordered the impeller. I am questioning the sanity of it since I have no indication there was a material improvement or design since the last one I received looks identical to the first.

 

[penfold2]

I would switch to Jecod/Jebao pumps. I've been using 2 of the 317gph models in my AIO for about 6 months, and they're great. The 528gph model has nearly the same dimensions and flowrate as your MightyJet, but the entire pump barely costs more than your replacement impeller.

 

[Generator]

I've got two of the MightyJet 326's going now, and I had been using a MightyJet 538, and I've got the very similar Jeabo DC return pump; all have worked well for me. My only thought is that maybe you're getting sand into the impeller? I can't think of any reason why this would happen other than that.

A good thought but there's little to nothing in the return. I don't keep a very deep sand bed, what I have is more coarse and doesn't tend to get stirred up. When I do my water changes every 2 weeks I have a 1/4" siphon I use to clean between the baffles, in the corners and all around the pumps. There's just goo around the magnet when I take the pump apart. Both of them cracked the same way. I don't run them high, usually at 1.4.

 

[rtparty]

Dump em

I’ve been using this on my WB25 for over a year with zero issues

Amazon.com

I liked it so much I bought the largest model for my 100g system and it’s been rock solid for months so far

 

[Generator]

I would switch to Jecod/Jebao pumps. I've been using 2 of the 317gph models in my AIO for about 6 months, and they're great. The 528gph model has nearly the same dimensions and flowrate as your MightyJet, but the entire pump barely costs more than your replacement impeller.

I probably don't need more flow than that anyway. I don't use what I have.

 

[Generator]

I ended up with SR Aquaristik. I bought 2 DC500 GPH. The footprint is slightly larger than my current mightyjet but fit with room to spare. Bonus, they came with small adapters that fit the current flexible return lines so I didn't have to spend hours setting them up.

I'm sure they are someone's rebranded Chinese something, but they offer a 3 year warranty on an $89 pump. They also have the impellers available to order, they don't cost an arm and a leg and if you wanted you can replace it with a skimmer impeller.

I've only been running them just shy of 2 weeks so way too soon to know anything. So far they've been problem free and incredibly quiet.

I ordered from Zooxae on a Wednesday and they showed up at my door Friday, free shipping.

 

[JBNY]

Not familiar with that brand, but I have always made sure the return pump I am using is the best quality can afford. I've never had an impeller crack and I am only on my second pump in the last 20 years of reefkeeping.

 

[rowenaad]

i have also switched to jebao/jecod. Dead silent and cheap. I had a Sicce which was loud

 

[Generator]

Not familiar with that brand, but I have always made sure the return pump I am using is the best quality can afford. I've never had an impeller crack and I am only on my second pump in the last 20 years of reefke

Not familiar with that brand, but I have always made sure the return pump I am using is the best quality can afford. I've never had an impeller crack and I am only on my second pump in the last 20 years of reefkeeping.

I wasn't looking for cheap just something reliable without paying for features I didn't want. For the last many years, I feel like google doesn't google, search engines don't search. I don't know if the algorithm just sucks now or if you just have to pay to have your product found. Amazon is the same way. I'm sure there are dozens out there but without a name to look for directly the only thing I was finding with a controller that weren't pages of the same few Amazon repeats, I was only finding the Octo Varios and the Sicce SDC.

There are so many more choices with larger pumps. It was difficult finding a lower output DC return with a small footprint and a controller.

The sicce felt like I was paying more for the advanced controller and app than the pump. I'm not running something that requires any level of automation. I wanted simplicity, something with a controller for flow and feed. The rest of course would be beneficial, I just don't need it.

The Octo VarioS is a Chinese pump with a $300 price tag that I've seen a number of people complain about which doesn't seem to have great warranty response when it craps out. Not warm and fuzzy.

The Aquaristik has the simplicity I wanted and has nice build features, I don't know yet if they are quality. There are a few extra features on the larger pumps. If I made a purchase mistake, I can only cross fingers and hope the warranty is trouble free. At least the price tag didn't hurt.

 

[Freenow54]

Good afternoon!

A little guidance would be appreciated! I've had my AIO set up since May of 2024. The only equipment failure I've had is both MightyJet 538 return pumps. Both were the same issue, the impellers cracked right up the middle. The first pump after 6 months, the 2nd pump just a few days ago.

I like the pumps. They're very quiet, easy to use, clean and don't have any more or less features than I need. I was getting ready to purchase one as a backup and then the 2nd impeller failed. Am I expecting too much?

Another issue was the cost of the impeller $53 with shipping for a $159 pump. Am I being a cheap butt? I don't mind spending money it just seems excessive for a pump that costs so little and a lot if I have to replace them so often.

What's normal on salt equipment?

The last issue and probably the one I find most aggravating is ordering the impeller isn't just click and put it in the cart. Even though I have the part number I have to email because it's not on IM's website. Wait however many days for a response. Send a photo of the offending impeller to confirm it is in fact that part#, if they have it, how much it is. Then I have to respond if I want it, wait to be invoiced then pay the invoice. Yes, I'm thankful I can order the part and also grateful I don't have to return a wrong order but it still seem like it should be easier. I'd like to think I can spend a little more up front on something different and spend less on parts in the long run and have ready access to parts if I need them. Is this impeller wear normal?

As I see and I have the same opinion as Mojo Rising pumps should last for years mine has and is an Echotech Vectra

 

[Generator]

As I see and I have the same opinion as Mojo Rising pumps should last for years mine has and is an Echotech Vectra

I looked at those but wasn't sure at 1400GPH if the setting would go low enough coming from 528 gph that I ran around 35 to 40%.

 

[The Ugly Phase]

try EcoTech expensive but there good

 

[bob88884]

I'm not familiar with that brand, but for me, 3 times is the limit. Pumps should last for years IMO, sure sometimes you might get a dud, but 3 times? I've had great success with Sicce; their pumps have lasted me years. Good luck

Sicce pumps are the best out there. Mine just works. I might cut corners on some things, but the return Pump is the lifeblood of the tank. Only the best for that job.

 

[Generator]

UPDATE: I've been running 2 Aquaristik DC500 GPH return pumps for 7 months trouble free. I recently pulled them out to clean for the first time and there wasn't much too it. Super easy to take apart and reassemble. In 7 months there was very little to clean out of them. They are still incredibly quiet. This obviously isn't a long term endorsement but so far I really like them.

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks for following up. On my IM20 i swapped out the two return pumps for a single jebao DC pump and have been very happy. All of my return pumps are jebao and I've yet to have a failure.

 

[BryanM]

The Jeabo return pumps are solid and reasonably priced.

 

[jhadaway]

I just lost a Hydor return that had run nonstop for over 4 years. Never an issue. That being said, I'm a Sicce guy. I trust them enough to buy them lightly used. Great value and reliable. I replaced my return with a Sicce.