Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Is the best if you are mechanically inclined.In other words, I got two of these babies (which let me add, work great).The only problem is after a couple months, it started to leak around the shaft seal...draining the tank.Fortunately it had been leaking for a few hours and we only lost a few gallons on the (oak wood) floor.
The instructions do tell you about maintenance, but I wasn't ready for this!
Vortex provides GREAT customer service and the quickly sent out replacement parts (while I was at it, got more earth and seals and grease, etc).I didn't want to send it back for warrantee because you know how that can be...
Sooo...got the new seal in, and all was working well for about 2-3 days, when I noticed that when I turned the unit on, I had to twist the motor as it seemed like the motor was not lined up with the bearings (never did the bearings come out).
Tech support told me to check it and I told them I didn't play with he bearings. As nice as they are, they couldn't help me.
Soooo...in the mean time, the other unit started to leak and replaced the bearing seal(as by this time I have my own arsenal of parts just in case).This unit worked well and then started with the binding problems the first unit had.
To make a real long story longer...i resorted to the last resort, and took the whole unit (motor) apart.NOTHING was binding, so I figured "what could go wrong now" so I put a little itty bitty touch of grease on the shaft and bearings and the unit works like new again.
Just let me add, that when I tried "tweaking" the motor, you put an excess strain on the plastic impeller housing.Well...it cracked.Don't bother using ACETONE as the instructions tell you to do with small hairline cracks...it doesn't work. I ended up using JB weld, and laid the unit on its side until the epoxy set up and left if for 24 hours to make sure.ALL is well!
Shall I make this story longer?OK...glad you said yes.Back to the shaft seal...If you order the seal, the manufacture sends you a "very small" plastic baggie with folded edges with a gasket shellac.
Great idea, as all you need is a SMALL amount.But it took me a few weeks to get to this repair job that the sealer dried up...DOH!So I ordered more from the man and I have no clue what they did when they sent me a jar of it, and when I opened the small jar, there was nothing in it!Hummmm...
Soooo....they did tell me what I thought it was, and the product you can use is (can I say this on the air???)PERMATEX Aviation Form-a-Gasket.Get the one with the small brush in the jar...not the spray, and do yourself a favor, not the super-duper high temp stuff...been there, done that.PERMATEX Aviation Form-a Gasket.It's brown smelly stuff that works great, and it's for wet applications.I've used it on head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, and it will hold the seal tight with minor leaks if you do develop one.
Follow the instructions...a little goes a long way.More is not better.A nice even coat is all you need.
Their online manual is pretty good.I have experience only with the XL, not the D-1, but I'm sure both motors are close in design and idiosyncrasies.
So overall, I gave this unit (plus tech support) a two thumbs up for their time and and quality and will buy it again if I had to get another or recommend one. The maintenance is easy and fast, just be ready to maintain this unit like a fine piece of machinery and it's not for the faint hearted.
Good price for this D-1 but as far as 180 and change....???Hummm...highly unlikely.100 bucks for the XL.
If you need some help with this unit, please feel free to e-mail me and I'll try and help you.But do try the tech support first.They were great!
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Product Description:
The Vortex Diatom Filter D-1 is a high-speed mechanical filter that is designed to fine filter aquarium water without disturbing the natural bacteria levels. The filter is invaluable in keeping a parasite-free, clean, well balanced and healthy aquarium. It can be used for fresh and saltwater tanks up to 55 gallons with an "active" flow rate of 150-200gph. The Diatom Filter is equipped with a 3000 RPM motor shaft that is connected directly to the impeller. It is designed for continuous operation (maximum of8 hours per week).The D-1 filter features and adjustable and directional flow and has an electrical on-off switch. It has a thermally protected motor which provides quiet operation. The filter is self-contained and back-flushes clean without taking the filter apart.Size:Fitler: 8" diameter (base) 3 1/2" diameter (top) x 15" High Power Cord: 3' long.
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