Vortech MP10 Wet Side

One part covers the whole MP10 line. EcoTech state it is compatible with all generations of the MP10, so you do not need to work out which version you own before ordering.

A wES driver upgraded to QuietDrive electronics still uses the same wet side, because that upgrade changes only the controller board and casing.

• Wet frame with axle
• Rotor
• Ceramic washer
• O-ring
• Nozzle

These are the components EcoTech name in the MP10 wet side diagram. The rotor and ceramics are not sold separately, which is why a cracked ceramic means a new wet side rather than a repair.

Not included

• The dry side, the driver and the power supply – all separate parts
• The foam guard, which EcoTech list as its own item
• The rubber spacer that sits between the dry side and thin glass
• Mounting tabs, velcro strips and zip ties

The MP10 works through glass up to 9.5 mm. Unlike the MP40, which uses a thick or thin spacer depending on the pane, the MP10 has a single rubber spacer and EcoTech are specific about when it goes in.

The spacer is not supplied with a replacement wet side. If you are reusing an existing install, the one already on the pump carries over.

Not every symptom needs a new part. Clean first, then judge.

• Noise – EcoTech's position is that the most common cause of VorTech noise is a dirty wet side. A full strip and clean fixes most cases.
• Decoupling – the wet side stopping while the dry side spins is usually caused by sharp speed changes, such as feed mode. A full disassembly and clean is the published fix, not a new part.
• Cracked ceramics – this one is terminal. EcoTech state the ceramic components cannot be replaced and the remedy is a new wet side. Excessive magnetic coupling force and poor maintenance are the causes they cite.
• Wear you can feel – a rough or notchy rotor, a scored axle, or flow that will not come back after a clean.

EcoTech recommend cleaning the wet side every 6 to 8 weeks, or four to six times a year. Take it apart, brush the parts gently with a soft brush under running water, and reassemble. For calcium build-up, soak the parts in a mild acid such as white vinegar – a 50:50 mix with hot water is the published suggestion. Never use strong acids.

Regular cleaning is the single thing that decides how long a wet side lasts, because scale is what loads the ceramics and eventually cracks them.

No tools are needed. The nozzle comes off by placing the wet half on a non-metallic surface, pressing down firmly with your palm and twisting clockwise. EcoTech publish a disassembly and reassembly video on their own parts listing, which is worth watching once before the first strip-down.

Suitable for:

• Any VorTech MP10 owner with a noisy, worn or damaged wet end
• Keeping a spare on hand for a reef that cannot afford downtime
• Reviving a second-hand MP10 of unknown history

Not suitable for:

• MP20, MP40 or MP60 pumps – order MP002 for the MP40
• Faults in the driver or dry side, which this part will not address
• Replacing a foam guard or spacer, both of which are separate items

• VorTech MP10 Foam Guards – replace these at the same time; a collapsed guard lets debris into the rotor.
• Nozzle for MP10 Wet Side – if only the nozzle is damaged, this is the cheaper fix.
• O-Ring for MP10 Wet Side – the usual consumable at a routine service.
• VorTech MP10QD – the complete pump, if the driver has failed as well.

EcoTech Marine warrant this part for 12 months from the date of original purchase, and require registration with them within 30 days of purchase for the warranty to take effect. Their warranty excludes defects arising from normal wear and tear, and from damage caused by saltwater spray, heat or improper installation. The manufacturer warranty applies in addition to the consumer guarantees you have under the Australian Consumer Law, which are not limited by it.

Freight: standard parcel. No oversize, dangerous goods or cold chain handling applies.

Which MP10 version do I need this for?

Any of them. EcoTech supply a single MP10 wet side, part MP203, and state it is compatible with all generations of the MP10. That covers the original pumps, the EcoSmart models, the QuietDrive models and the Mobius QuietDrive.

Will it fit my MP40?

No. The MP40 uses an entirely different wet side, part MP002, which also covers the MP20. No components are shared between the two, so the MP10 part will not adapt.

My pump is noisy. Do I need a new wet side?

Probably not yet. EcoTech identify a dirty wet side as the most common cause of VorTech noise, so strip and clean it first. If the noise survives a proper clean, or a ceramic is cracked, then the wet side is the part to replace.

Can I just replace the cracked ceramic?

No. EcoTech state the ceramic components cannot be replaced individually, and that a new wet side is the remedy. The rotor and ceramics are not sold as separate parts, unlike the nozzle and o-ring.

Does the foam guard come with it?

No. EcoTech list the foam guard as a separate item and sell it in packs of three. It is worth ordering one with the wet side, since a perished guard is often what let the grit in.

Is the rubber spacer included?

No, it is a separate part. You only need one if your glass is 3 mm or 5 mm thick, and if you are replacing the wet side on an existing install the spacer already fitted stays where it is.

How often should I clean it?

Every 6 to 8 weeks is EcoTech's recommendation, which works out at four to six full cleans a year. In a heavily stocked or high-calcium reef, the shorter interval is the one to work to.