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skimmer help needed

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by xroads, May 20, 2010.

  1. May 20, 2010 #1
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    My power went off for a bit today.  It had been back on for a couple of hours when I got home.
    The water was in the air suction tube.  I blew it down, but the pump wouldnt keep sucking.  I can hear the pumps going, but they arent sucking any air.
    They are octopus DNW 200's
    Do I need to take them apart & repair something?
     
  2. May 20, 2010 #2
    rc1214b

    rc1214b

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    Are they pushing water?
     
  3. May 20, 2010 #3
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    They are externally fed. It doesnt seem like they are doing much of anything. Maybe cavitating?
     
  4. May 20, 2010 #4
    rc1214b

    rc1214b

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    they should still push water in the skimmer though, unplug..put finger over airline..plug back in...does it push water?
     
  5. May 20, 2010 #5
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    no they are not.
     
  6. May 20, 2010 #6
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    Hmm...I wonder if the impellers have seized. I've heard that can happen after a power outage like that. They swell, then when the power goes off, never start back up...but did it happen to multiple or just one. That would be unusual to have it happen to multiples...
    Try taking the cover off of the impeller and see if it spins without the cover on.
    --AJ
     
  7. May 20, 2010 #7
    rc1214b

    rc1214b

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    I would disassemble and see if everything is free, put back together and try in a bucket or something
     
  8. May 20, 2010 #8
    Shaun

    Shaun Inactive User

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    I had a gen x pump do that. I fought it for quite a while but never got it going again.
     
  9. May 20, 2010 #9
    rc1214b

    rc1214b

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    well hope you got it figured out, kinda been hanging out on here to see your response. Shoot me a pm if you have any qestions
     
  10. May 21, 2010 #10
    psulion

    psulion

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    Turn off the pump and let it cool down. The impeller is siezed because it got too hot.
     
  11. May 21, 2010 #11
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    thanks

    Yes I tried to let it sit for awhile.

    I got everything on short term bypass right now. The feedpump that feeds the skimmers is also the flow for my RBTA tank. I will drain them & clean them up tonight & see what the impellars look like.

     
  12. May 21, 2010 #12
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    GL Craig. I have a few extra pumps laying around that you are welcome to borrow if you need anything. LMK.

    --AJ
     
  13. May 21, 2010 #13
    xroads La Porte City, IA

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    Thanks alot Ryan for the help.

    I took them apart and there was a bunch of calcium build up. Soaked them in vinegar for a couple of hours, cleaned them up & they work perfect.
     
  14. May 21, 2010 #14
    AJ

    AJ Inactive User

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    Nice! Glad everything is working!

    --AJ
     
  15. Jun 14, 2010 #15
    xroads La Porte City, IA

    xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

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    One of the pumps finally died.

    What can I use as a replacement pump, or do I need to get the same kind so they mate back up.

    $100 at aquacave sounds crazy high for the pump.
     
  16. Jun 14, 2010 #16
    Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

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    I know Ryan had some bad *** pumps that might work for ya, I can't remember what he all had exactly though ATM
     

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