Blueline HD55 lost waterflow

Thomas111 · 12/25/2010, 03:10 PM

Merry Christmas everyone,
I purchased a Blueline 55HD external pump last year. It's located in the basement next to my 40 breeder sump. The main tank is on the main floor. Probably about a ten foot run mostly up.
I recently noticed a dramatic loss in water flow. I got the time yesterday to take the front section apart. Pump was still running just fine. The impeller and back section was covered in white hard material. I did find one small snail in the impeller. Everything looks ok. I cleaned it all up and replaced but the flow is still terrible. My mag 5 in the sump for the protein skimmer is pulling more water than the Blueline.
I ordered a new back plate and impeller for the Blueline. Do you think this will fix the problem? There was nothing visibly wrong with any of the parts.

mike_cmu04 · 12/25/2010, 05:25 PM

Did you clean the white hard material off it is probably calcium deposit. That would be the reason for your lost flow.

Thomas111 · 12/25/2010, 09:56 PM

Yes,
I cleaned off all of the encrusted material and removed the small snail from the impeller section. I also blew out all the holes in the impeller with compressed air. I looked into all the openings with a LED flashlight to make sure all passages were clear. Like I said everything looks good but flow is terrible. I thought perhaps it could be an obstruction in the line but I have a small bypass loop and sent all flow through it to check. Flow through the bypass was just as bad. I do need to check the small area of the intake from sump to the pump yet but I have always had a sponge prefilter on that. I doubt if there is anything in there but I'm going to check anyway.

jimmyj7090 · 12/25/2010, 11:54 PM

Did you clean the ceramic shaft and bushings that go with the impeller?
How did you clean, vinegar?

Thomas111 · 12/25/2010, 11:59 PM

I scraped off the bigger stuff and used a scrubber sponge and vinegar to get the rest.

jimmyj7090 · 12/26/2010, 12:35 AM

But did you get the ceramic shaft clean and spinning smoothly?

Thomas111 · 12/26/2010, 01:27 AM

Yep,
Free as can be. That's what I don't get. By all rights it should work just fine.

Thomas111 · 12/26/2010, 02:48 AM

I was checking the input from the sump to pump and found no obstructions. I thought I'd take the pump apart one more time and see if I did something wrong. I didn't find anything but one more small snail. I was running without the filter for a few minutes yesterday checking the suction with my hand. I turned it back on and almost overflowed my tank. This thing is pumping like new again. I'm not complaining but I just don't get it. I removed the ball valve/tee after the pump because I wanted to run straight up and not into the UV. There was nothing in it though and no obstructions. I'll have to get a tee tomorrow and hook that back up.

12/25/2010, 03:10 PM	#1
Thomas111 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: East Troy,WI Posts: 88	Blueline HD55 lost waterflow Merry Christmas everyone, I purchased a Blueline 55HD external pump last year. It's located in the basement next to my 40 breeder sump. The main tank is on the main floor. Probably about a ten foot run mostly up. I recently noticed a dramatic loss in water flow. I got the time yesterday to take the front section apart. Pump was still running just fine. The impeller and back section was covered in white hard material. I did find one small snail in the impeller. Everything looks ok. I cleaned it all up and replaced but the flow is still terrible. My mag 5 in the sump for the protein skimmer is pulling more water than the Blueline. I ordered a new back plate and impeller for the Blueline. Do you think this will fix the problem? There was nothing visibly wrong with any of the parts.

12/25/2010, 05:25 PM	#2
mike_cmu04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shepherd, Mi Posts: 2,348	Did you clean the white hard material off it is probably calcium deposit. That would be the reason for your lost flow. __________________ 92 Gallon corner tank, 2-radion gen 2 led lights, 2 mp40's Current Tank Info: 92 Gallon Corner Tank

12/25/2010, 11:54 PM	#4
jimmyj7090 aka John K Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sudbury Posts: 2,367	Did you clean the ceramic shaft and bushings that go with the impeller? How did you clean, vinegar? __________________ my reef ate my wallet Current Tank Info: 57G, RBTA's Zoa's and softies

12/26/2010, 12:35 AM	#6
jimmyj7090 aka John K Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sudbury Posts: 2,367	But did you get the ceramic shaft clean and spinning smoothly? __________________ my reef ate my wallet Current Tank Info: 57G, RBTA's Zoa's and softies

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12/25/2010, 09:56 PM	#3
Thomas111 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: East Troy,WI Posts: 88	Yes, I cleaned off all of the encrusted material and removed the small snail from the impeller section. I also blew out all the holes in the impeller with compressed air. I looked into all the openings with a LED flashlight to make sure all passages were clear. Like I said everything looks good but flow is terrible. I thought perhaps it could be an obstruction in the line but I have a small bypass loop and sent all flow through it to check. Flow through the bypass was just as bad. I do need to check the small area of the intake from sump to the pump yet but I have always had a sponge prefilter on that. I doubt if there is anything in there but I'm going to check anyway.

12/25/2010, 11:59 PM	#5
Thomas111 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: East Troy,WI Posts: 88	I scraped off the bigger stuff and used a scrubber sponge and vinegar to get the rest.

12/26/2010, 01:27 AM	#7
Thomas111 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: East Troy,WI Posts: 88	Yep, Free as can be. That's what I don't get. By all rights it should work just fine.

12/26/2010, 02:48 AM	#8
Thomas111 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: East Troy,WI Posts: 88	I was checking the input from the sump to pump and found no obstructions. I thought I'd take the pump apart one more time and see if I did something wrong. I didn't find anything but one more small snail. I was running without the filter for a few minutes yesterday checking the suction with my hand. I turned it back on and almost overflowed my tank. This thing is pumping like new again. I'm not complaining but I just don't get it. I removed the ball valve/tee after the pump because I wanted to run straight up and not into the UV. There was nothing in it though and no obstructions. I'll have to get a tee tomorrow and hook that back up.