Mag Drive Pumps

[jackson6745]

I've used the mag 3, 5, 7, 9.5, and 12. They work ok but must be cleaned in vinegar every few months to prevent calcium buildup. You MUST change the stainless screws used on these pumps. The "stainless" screws will rust away in your system and cause you lots of grief. A freakin mag 5 killed half of my SPS tank

 

[masterswimmer]

I've used the mag 3, 5, 7, 9.5, and 12. They work ok but must be cleaned in vinegar every few months to prevent calcium buildup. You MUST change the stainless screws used on these pumps. The "stainless" screws will rust away in your system and cause you lots of grief. A freakin mag 5 killed half of my SPS tank

I've been using my Mags for two years now. I haven't changed out the screws. How long did it take for your screws to rust out and corrupt your system?

I ask because Phosban and Rowaphos are a Ferric Oxide (rust basically) and they don't crash tanks. Any insight would be helpful because right now I'm running six Mag Drives. All with original screws.

Thanks,
Russ

 

[House of Laughter]

Russ,

Mag drives are known to eventually fail your system (the screws rust from the inside out and you can't see it before it's too late) the stuff they are using in Phosban I think is different - perhaps a good candidate for the advanced forum.

House

 

[jackson6745]

Good idea Jim.

Russ my mag 5 that was feeding my chiller was 3 years old. It works fine, I have always kept it clean. When I opened the pump the rust was all over! I can't even begin to tell you the awesome SPS that I lost The day after I removed the pump it was like a breath of fresh air. With in a week colors and growth tips returned and most importantly no more STN/RTN

 

[masterswimmer]

What screws did you guys replace them with?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

u replace em with plastic screws... theres certain name for em.. i went into home depot and asked for plastic screws the guy looked at me like a confused puppy.. hahahaha..

 

[aaron]

I recently swapped a ocean runner for a mag7 as my main return pump and must say i am a little disappointed, it is extremely noisy in comparison. maybe its just mine or something to do with my setup but the low vibration type noise is resonating through the whole house.

 

[Dace]

i need to find where i can get the screws

 

[masterswimmer]

Dace, what are your reasons for being so down on MagDrive's? Just curious (don't kill me, I'm not a cat)........

master

 

[ShaunW]

INFO ON MAGDRIVE NYLON SCREWS:

Screw size information for Magdrive pumps: 440, 632, 832, 1/4-20 on the link I gave should write like 4-40, 6-32, 8-32, 10-32.... The first number stand's for diameter of the bolt, while the second number stand for number of threads per inch. Example: 1/4-20 is a bolt 1/4" dia. with 20 thread per inch. Screw that have diameters smaller than 1/4", one will use number instead ( 4, 6, 8, 10 ) Ex: 8-32 is mean screw size 8 with 32 thread per inch.

So the 8-32's in 5/8" or item number 91480 (5/8"L x 832 Thread Nylon Round Head Slotted Screw) are the ones to order for Mag's 3-9.5, .

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...uct_id=15584

I don't have any information on Magdrives above 9.5. So your going to have to measure the screw length and thread count yourself (I don't own these pumps, so I never researched them).

 

[Deanos]

Other than the potential problem of rusting screws, I enjoyed the Mag Drive I used as a return pump. For the price, not many pumps can compare. I had no issues with vibration or sound levels. It also started up flawlessly after power outages.

 

[tonyyammine]

slobby i try to go to the website u put for the screws and i cant get in what is the name of the website again thanku

 

[masterswimmer]

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pr...=USPlastic&category_name=121&product_id=15584

item # 91480

 

[tonyyammine]

i didnt like my mag 7 pumps i had so i sold them and now i use the eheim 1260 i like it better

 

[Paul101]

From my experience with outboard motors, the bigger problem with metal in salt water is electolysis. Outboard motors utilize sacrificial anodes. The metal screws must corrode the same way.

 

[kaOzGrUnT]

I use a Mag Drive 9.5, works perfectly, but one of the screws is rusting, I am ordering the plastic screws right now.

 

[jaa1456]

Nice find Shaun, I do not use a sump but what about other pumps, Like ehiem and such. Do they have the rust problem also?

 

[MatthewScars]

This is an old thread, I know.

I took apart my Mag5 to find the threads of the metal screws showing signs of rust.

MS: I couldnt find that product number on that site. Do you still know what size/thread the screws are so i can order them?

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24524&clickid=redirect

 

[masterswimmer]

Shaun detailed it best:

INFO ON MAGDRIVE NYLON SCREWS:

Screw size information for Magdrive pumps: 440, 632, 832, 1/4-20 on the link I gave should write like 4-40, 6-32, 8-32, 10-32.... The first number stand's for diameter of the bolt, while the second number stand for number of threads per inch. Example: 1/4-20 is a bolt 1/4" dia. with 20 thread per inch. Screw that have diameters smaller than 1/4", one will use number instead ( 4, 6, 8, 10 ) Ex: 8-32 is mean screw size 8 with 32 thread per inch.

So the 8-32's in 5/8" or item number 91480 (5/8"L x 832 Thread Nylon Round Head Slotted Screw) are the ones to order for Mag's 3-9.5, .

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...uct_id=15584

I don't have any information on Magdrives above 9.5. So your going to have to measure the screw length and thread count yourself (I don't own these pumps, so I never researched them).

 

[turbotone]

great info.. much appreciated.... was not aware of this problem at all... you would think rust wouldnt be an issue being pumps are made to be submerged underwater for large amounts of time.. thanks for the info will be changing the screws... my corals thank you