zksj power head - exposed metal PSA

[splunty]

Just an FYI. My ZKSJ branded mini power heads had exposed metal hidden inside them.

ICP Results showed aluminum levels rising in my tank. I had been using two ZKSJ mini power heads and pulled them. I took one of the power heads apart out of curiosity and found a soft metal ring around the rod which showed noticeable wear. This might not be a problem, or even the source of the aluminum buildup, but new power heads from a reputable brand are now on order.

Hopefully this helps somebody else.

 

[Formulator]

I’ve had high aluminum in the past as well. Curious, what were your ICP results?

 

[splunty]

I’ve had high aluminum in the past as well. Curious, what were your ICP results?

Not off the charts by any means:

1.90 µg/l
Ideal value: 0.09 µg/l

But 21 times the expected value on a tank that's less than a year old seemed alarming to me. Randy Holmes-Farley was kind enough to let me know that this level wasn't a hazard, but finding the source so the number doesn't grow into a real problem seemed prudent.

 

[zerozero]

Wow. I was literally going to buy these tomorrow when I get paid.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Formulator]

Ya, glad you found a potential culprit and were able to correct it. Hopefully that was it. My aluminum was a result of using phosguard media, so I just switched to GFO.

 

[splunty]

Wow. I was literally going to buy these tomorrow when I get paid.

Thanks for the heads up.

There's another thread where somebody reported finding exposed metal in a Hygger power head as well. I will personally be hesitant to purchase any of these budget Chinese brands again, at least for anything that touches the water.

 

[Formulator]

There's another thread where somebody reported finding exposed metal in a Hygger power head as well. I will personally be hesitant to purchase any of these budget Chinese brands again, at least for anything that touches the water.

I think most powerheads have a metal pin as the hub, but the more reputable brands use a high grade stainless rather than cheap aluminum. It is much more of an issue for small tanks and probably would be fine in a large system, being such a small piece of metal.

Still great to know and appreciate the warning!

 

[zerozero]

There's another thread where somebody reported finding exposed metal in a Hygger power head as well. I will personally be hesitant to purchase any of these budget Chinese brands again, at least for anything that touches the water.

Yes, I saw that thread too. Is that what made you take the power head apart, or something else?

 

[splunty]

Yes, I saw that thread too. Is that what made you take the power head apart, or something else?

Actually, taking apart my own power head made me search for other threads with similar findings.

Taking them apart had more to do with the need to solve a problem (high aluminum) even after being told that it isn't a problem at all. Hopefully that was the (only) culprit, otherwise I might wind up taking apart my return pump. lol.

 

[zerozero]

Actually, taking apart my own power head made me search for other threads with similar findings.

Taking them apart had more to do with the need to solve a problem (high aluminum) even after being told that it isn't a problem at all. Hopefully that was the (only) culprit, otherwise I might wind up taking apart my return pump. lol.

I also have nano tank (just looked at your tank thread) so I really won't risk introducing this to such a small body of water. I spent the afternoon watching vids on flow and eliminating dead spots to plot my next move.

Will have to have a re-think now. Thanks again!

 

[Breef320]

Were you able to resolve the rising aluminum issue with the removal of the power head?
I ordered one and it arrived today but luckily noticed the exposed metal before installing and came right to forums to search.

 

[splunty]

Were you able to resolve the rising aluminum issue with the removal of the power head?
I ordered one and it arrived today but luckily noticed the exposed metal before installing and came right to forums to search.

ICP results came back last week with aluminum now nearly undetectable.

While I replaced the ZKSJ powerheads with a single IM Wavelink AIO, and have otherwise made no significant changes to the environment, I would keep in mind a couple of things:

1) Randy Holmes-Farley stated in another thread that the elevated levels of aluminum I had seen were still insignificant or irrelevant (I forget the exact adjective he used).

2) Seeing the aluminum levels drop after replacing the powerheads isn't exactly scientific proof of causation.

With that said, the peace of mind knowing that one *potential* issue has been corrected is worth the expense to me. I hope this helps.

 

[Breef320]

Thank you for following up with your results Splunty

 

[splunty]

This will be my last update, I promise!

I sent off another ATI ICP test. These include an RODI test which I didn't need so this time I ran the ZKSJ powerhead in about IL of RODI overnight and sent a sample from that.

Aluminum in the tank was "not detectable."

Aluminum in the RODI sample 3.0 ug/l.

In case anyone finds this thread in the future, it seems definitive that this cute little power head is leeching aluminum into the water.

 

[reefsentinel85]

Hi, has another one confirmed this, please ?
Thanks

 

[Breef320]

I had an Oceamo MS done in late March after running for 1.5 months without issues. I haven’t done one since.

 

[splunty]

I had an Oceamo MS done in late March after running for 1.5 months without issues. I haven’t done one since.

Just for comparison, ATI recommends < .09 ug/l and Triton recommends < 2.0 ug/l (used to be .1 ug/l).

Seeing the ideal value being reported as < 40 ug/l seems odd.

But Randy Holmes-Farley (trustworthy as an SME on this) has posted many times that levels far above this aren't a concern. I am just a bit confused by the wildly different recommended ideal values between the ICP providers. On the other hand, I'm very easily confused. ;)

Thanks for sharing!