Rusted out impeller screw on my Vortech!

[Chiefmcfuz]

Before this goes any further someone with a vortec should call them and verify the problem or advise them of it.

 

[cali_reef]

I never see Phosban dust on my MagFloats.

Because it is not "rust" dust:lol2:

 

[House of Laughter]

Funny since the whole hobby is moving metal parts in salt water - does this stuff surprise anyone? I mean come on people -

I, like many of you, have worried about the screw - but took the prattreef approach to what's going on - I have never cleaned my vortech until I recenly broke down my tank. It was running for over a year without cleaning - yes there are orange deposits in there, but they never worried me - I am guessing that if there is a problem with the screw, it will be replaced FOC by the boys at Vortech.

Until then, I am not worrying myself unless I see something very wrong going on.

There are thousands of ships sunk and rotting at the bottom of the ocean as well as cities dumping train cars to build artifical reefs.

Yes, in an enclosed reef, it could have adverse affects, but I would use yourwater quality and animal indicators to be the judge - not the pump.

JMO

House

 

[fritz]

Brendan the link I posted in the first post was to the Icecap forum on RC

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Fred link was messed up for me so I couldn't see it restarted browser and now I can see it Sorry.

 

[herman]

Iron oxide in small amounts DOES NOT have any adverse affects on a reef tank. Put that in your head!!!!!!!

Im not worried in the least!!! As far as the screw goes, its as good as it gets!! Ive seen the rust myself. Just wipe it off and stick it back in.....

 

[fritz]

Pshht you should use Firefox with the "New tab in IE" add on. It allows you to use firefox (which rocks) and open up a new tab (in firefox) but using the IE engine (oh snap, no way!) This way you can still use firefox for those pesky sites that only render properly in IE.

Oh no he didn't!

 

[fritz]

For those with a browser that doesn't like RC links
Here is the reply from Ecotech:

"Freds-

Seems like a very small amount of surface corrosion which is somewhat common for any 316 stainless steel, such as that used in the shafts of a maxijet pump, etc. I'd rinse it off and go back to life as normal. Keep an eye on it and if it gets worse we will replace whatever defective parts with new ones. Small amounts of rust really won't cause any problems in a reef tank.

Regarding the magnet, the coating on the magnet is a medical grade plastic that is vapor deposited. It is an extremely robust coating, however, like anything it's not perfect. If there are any problems with it we will replace it.

-Tim"

 

[tomzpc]

I am not concerned in the least.

That would be my feeling too.

 

[tomzpc]

Iron oxide in small amounts DOES NOT have any adverse affects on a reef tank. Put that in your head!!!!!!!

And apparently it is even beneficial when large amounts are placed in a canister or reactor! :biglaugh:

 

[ReeferGoneMad]

Do a search on iron oxide hydroxide. Its used in aquarium applications because it binds to phosphate. Its also a form of ferric oxide, phosban. Its a tomato, tomatoe thing. Its not the same rust that eats up metals. It is simply oxidation from oxygen in the water column which is not as bad as a rusting screw. If when wiped down it should come right off without any damage to anything. If you start to see metal disintergrading then you might just need to send an email to the manufactures of your pump.

 

[stingnyc]

i would also check the wet-ends magnet. there has been some rusting on 1 of mine and after being replaced the pump never performed the same....

 

[fritz]

I'm going to inspect the magnet closely tonight with a magnifying glass (electron microscope is out on loan)

It was quite rough to the touch last night but hopefully that's just some calcium etc.

 

[stingnyc]

I'm going to inspect the magnet closely tonight with a magnifying glass (electron microscope is out on loan)
quote]


the rust on my magnet was real obvious.