Not having luck with pumps

snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
The temporary maxijet pumps I have on the tank have been losing suction and falling down into the sandbed and stirring stuff up. I'm so ready to get better powerheads.

My return pump, the Lifeguard Aquatic quiet one model 4000 that I currently have does this vibration noise but it's on the inside of the housing - not because it's touching anything. The previous one that I owned was very quiet - I never heard a vibration or anything on that one - and that is why I ordered one just like it. I guess I should get one of those variable speed jebao return pumps BUT....

Last night the jebao pump on my Skimz SN123 just started making this awful sound of screetching and grinding and woke my wife and I up last night. It was pretty bad, and so I turned it off so that I could look at it this morning. This morning I turned it on and kept fooling with it until it stopped making the noise. Apparently the depth of the skimmer works better at 4" than 9", which is not practical for my system. Since I have messed with it, the screetching has decreased to a definite vibration. I still have to run the pump at full speed and with the outlet nearly obstructed to get the foam up to the proper height to make it work. I'm thinking about upgrading to the Aquamaxx ConeS CO-1 but I'm also looking at an octopus skimmer for the time being.

Nearly every pump I have purchased so far sucks. Just bad luck?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I could put it on a platform so it stops making noise... but in the directions it said it can function in as much as 9.4" of water perfectly fine... It's claims don't match it's performance, which is what I don't like about it.

The skimmer pump just went quiet again. Probably will start screetching again at 3AM.

I'm looking at the Chinese knock off site right now for the jebao pumps to see if I can get a DC submersible pump.
 
silverado61

silverado61

Well-Known Member
They make magnetic mounts for maxijet. Algaefree makes them. They come in two different sizes. The 50 is for glass up to 1/2" the 100 is up to 3/4". Both fit models: 400, 600, 900 and 1200. I got two of the 50's for $24.99 each.
My maxijets are really good. I'm happy with them.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
No, they don't.

I used to have these brackets for maxijet powerheads that hung over the tank rim, so that even if the suction cups lost suction, it would still hang on the tank rim and be fine. I didn't get them in the box this time with these maxijets. I guess it's because they had a previous owner.

I'm looking forward to getting my jebao powerheads. I've been stuck at the house for two work days now because the roads have an inch of ice on them and it's too unsafe to drive. They said that there were 70 accidents overnight that the police had to deal with in the city. I guess I'll have to wait until the next week or two to order them.
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Air pumps aren't that bad - if that is all you have and don't mind the salt creep. Especially in tiny tanks that don't have room for large powerheads.
 
jay0705

jay0705

Well-Known Member
Hmmm, will do. I have to find some good product, when I upgrade I dont want that many air stones lol
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
They are so good that they forced Ecotech Vortech to lower their prices to be competitive. People are replacing their MP40's with the Gyre's. Lately you can find MP40s for cheap on other forums
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Yeah, but I would rather spend $180 on a variable speed DC powerhead. I like the waves and stuff. lol Back when I started the hobby, the only powerheads available were maxijets and some other off brand. THen there were utility pumps like the mag drives. The technology has gotten so much better over the years.
 
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