Tank Emergency

[MikeandDee]

Bought a return pump.... and after 2 months of using it died on me. Does anybody have an "extra" return pump they are willing to make a few dollars on and help a newbie. I currently have a 75 gallon display tank and a 20 gallon sump. Seller (Amazon) states they wont be able to replace my dead pump until "will ship between 7-12 December." any and all help appreciated

 

[Idoc]

I don't have an extra, but if you hurry, Aquatic Critter and 7 Seas are open until 5pm! They probably have something.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

I know this doesn't help; but my return pump died today as well!! I got a replacement on Amazon as well but Primed it so it'll be in on Tuesday. Can you Prime yours to get it sooner?

 

[MikeandDee]

I am prime, issue is the seller from within Amazon. He is backed order due to shipment issue so out of China. .might have to Just order an all new pump, when the replacement finally gets here, it can be a back up.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

For what it's worth; this is the one I got. It's a larger model than the one that died. I found out some salt creep got into the control panel and ruined it, so this time I'll keep the controller out of the sump chamber.

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

Is your pump and ac or dc return? I would take it apart and clean it good. (Do not use vinegar since it’s been shown to swell plastic). Once it’s clean make sure your hands are dry and plug it in. What I have found is, if you give the impeller some help it may start and work normal. If it starts then place the cover back on. Some you can not but mine you can. If it works unplug it and put it back together and then again make sure hands are dry and plug it in. (This should be in your kitchen sink), if it works on plug it and try to place back in the sump. If it doesn’t work, then take a small like (paper clip extended and move the impeller), it may make it start. If you have cleaned these with vinegar it’s a good chance the plastic swelled around the impeller and it won’t work correctly.

If it’s a dc pump like mine, it’s a huge benefit to keep the controller somewhere but inside the tank. I hang mine on the wall behind it or on a shelf. The moisture and salt creet just destroys them. Hope this helps, another good idea is to run twin return pumps which I do. It makes it where I don’t have to stress per say, I just have less flow for a short time. I also run twin heaters for the same reason.
Good luck

 

[MikeandDee]

Hello,

Is your pump and ac or dc return? I would take it apart and clean it good. (Do not use vinegar since it’s been shown to swell plastic). Once it’s clean make sure your hands are dry and plug it in. What I have found is, if you give the impeller some help it may start and work normal. If it starts then place the cover back on. Some you can not but mine you can. If it works unplug it and put it back together and then again make sure hands are dry and plug it in. (This should be in your kitchen sink), if it works on plug it and try to place back in the sump. If it doesn’t work, then take a small like (paper clip extended and move the impeller), it may make it start. If you have cleaned these with vinegar it’s a good chance the plastic swelled around the impeller and it won’t work correctly.

If it’s a dc pump like mine, it’s a huge benefit to keep the controller somewhere but inside the tank. I hang mine on the wall behind it or on a shelf. The moisture and salt creet just destroys them. Hope this helps, another good idea is to run twin return pumps which I do. It makes it where I don’t have to stress per say, I just have less flow for a short time. I also run twin heaters for the same reason.
Good luck

Thanks...I cleaned the pump with hot water ... And same thing happens....runs and then shuts off...

 

[svogun]

redundancy is super important in this hobby. As you invest more in the live stock of your tank, the more you stand to lose to equipment failure. Once you get your new pump, consider planning to invest in a back up pump that is at the ready in the event of a return pump failure. Same principle really goes for all of your pumps and heaters.