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07/23/2007, 02:15 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 1,567
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Running pumps dry
During a water change, I want to pump the water back from my tub into my sump instead of the manual process I use currently (scoop and wait). At some point, that pump is going to run out of water. Is it a problem to run it dry for a few minutes every so often for this purpose? The pump type may matter I suppose, but I have a few lying around that I could choose from, small Rios and Maxijets mostly.
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07/23/2007, 02:20 PM
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#2 |
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Premium Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Posts: 849
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The way these pumps work, is they use water they are pumping to cool them. Running dry for just a little bit is not going to hurt them. Just as soon as it won't pump any more water, shut it off. If allowed to keep running dry, the pump will overheat and the impeller will seize, which is not repairable.
__________________
"For some reason I can't blow right." ~ crp "By the way Brian, nice colon." ~ Orchids Current Tank Info: 65 gal reef |
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07/23/2007, 03:00 PM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Derby CT
Posts: 2,861
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I ran my ehiem pump dry by accident the other day and the needlewheel melted it was only on for a 2 minutes the most. Luckily i was able to salvage it. I would not recommend it.
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07/23/2007, 03:07 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 1,567
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I figured as much, so what's a good way to get the new water into the tank besides scooping it in slowly with a clean container or risking killing my powerheads?
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07/23/2007, 03:37 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 558
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Go to Home Depot or Lowe's and you can buy a power syphon for fairly cheap to do it with. This is the device you use to transfer liquids like kerosene from fuel tanks to heaters. Just buy one and use it for water only. You stick the impeller end in the water and the hose end in your sump and hit the button. It sucks the water from your container and pumps it into your sump.
Jim |
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07/23/2007, 03:39 PM
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#6 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Posts: 849
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As I said, running it till it stops pumping will NOT hurt it. Just don't leave it plugged in running dry. As soon as it starts to spit out bubbles, unplug it.
__________________
"For some reason I can't blow right." ~ crp "By the way Brian, nice colon." ~ Orchids Current Tank Info: 65 gal reef |
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07/23/2007, 03:42 PM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 1,567
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Got it. Thanks!
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