Skimmer and return pumps won't restart on their own

MrSpiffy · 04/21/2009, 08:08 AM

I'm not sure where else to post this, so I'm putting it here.

Ever since I bought my skimmer (Octopus NW-150), the pump would not start up without some help. I just have to blow in the venturi tube to give it more air and that gets it going. Otherwise it just sits there, kinda vibrating but the impeller doesn't spin. It's like it's stuck in the magnetic field, just vibrating back and forth. I see no reason I should have to blow into the tube every single time I unplug it or the power goes out. Is there anything I can do to get this pump to restart on its own?

FYI, I also have this problem with my Mag 5 return pump, and that pump has also done it since it was brand new. I have to unscrew my union to pull the pump off, and raise the intake up to the surface in my sump to get it to pull some air, and then it starts up. Sounds like these two pumps have a similar problem.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

BLKTANG · 04/21/2009, 08:11 AM

are they pluged into a surge protector,or timer?If so i would try pluging directly into the wall,& see if they restart on their own.

Just a thought.

MrSpiffy · 04/21/2009, 08:29 AM

They are plugged into a surge protector, but I've tried both pumps before (when I first got them) directly plugged into the wall and they did the same thing.

No timers, though.

an411 · 04/21/2009, 08:41 AM

Do they start and just not perform good or just nothing at all when the power is on. I had an issue with my euroreef at first and it had a bunch of crap in the impeller I had to prime the pump to get it started and then I pulled the motor off and cleaned it and that did the trick not sure if that is the problem but I figure that i would share to maybe help

MrSpiffy · 04/21/2009, 09:09 AM

The impeller vibrates from the magnetic field trying to start the pump, but it doesn't spin. The pumps both did this when they were brand new and clean. As soon as they get some air in the intake, though, they start right up.

Fun $ Pit · 04/21/2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrSpiffy
The impeller vibrates from the magnetic field trying to start the pump, but it doesn't spin. The pumps both did this when they were brand new and clean. As soon as they get some air in the intake, though, they start right up.

Same thing was happening on my return pump (Oceanrunner) I had to replace the impeller magnet.

MrSpiffy · 04/21/2009, 10:40 AM

I guess I don't understand why this would happen on a brand new pump. I also thought I remembered something about Mag Drive pumps having this issue quite often.

It's not like I damaged the impeller. I don't see why replacing it should fix it, unless it was defective. (Which is entirely possible, I guess...)

Flipper62 · 04/21/2009, 11:32 AM

What about a air lock. I have this problem with the pump for my chiller. As long as it keeps its prime everything works just fine. But when I do a water change & the water flows out of the pump & air gets in there, I have to eather blow all the water out of the tubes so there is no back pressure or fill the tubes completly with water. Other wise the pump just sits there & humms. It works better to clear the tubes.

Just a thought

MrSpiffy · 04/21/2009, 11:46 AM

Both pumps fully submerged, so I would think they should be primed all the time.

jgln · 04/21/2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrSpiffy
I'm not sure where else to put this, so I'm putting it here.

Thanks!

Your line would have gone better with that picture if it read like this.

96p993 · 04/21/2009, 12:44 PM

Probably not what you want to hear but I would get rid of the Mag and go with something a bit more reliable (personal choice, but I have never had good luck with the Mag pumps)

I also had this same skimmer and had the same problem...I never got it to work right. I finally dumped it as well...

MrSpiffy · 04/21/2009, 02:20 PM

96p993, I'm actually happy with the skimmer and the return pump. I just hate that I have to do this when the power goes out to restart them. It's not like it happens often, and I do have powerheads in the tank, too, to avoid lack of oxygenation in the water when the power comes back on. I was just hoping someone might have a solution to these issues.

Quote:

Originally posted by jgln
Your line would have gone better with that picture if it read like this.

Anemonebuff · 04/21/2009, 02:37 PM

Do you have too much plugged into the outlets?

They may not be getting enough power to start back up. Try running the pumps off of a different room. They probably need a power surge to get the propeller going. If you have too much on one line you could have this problem.

melev · 04/21/2009, 03:01 PM

I've had Mag pumps do that before. It may not start right up, but it will start up after a few minutes. I've been using a Mag 7 on my angled tank for the past 1.5 years, and there were times it started right up, and other times it did not. Within 10 minutes though, it did.

On the Octopus, try angling the pump upwards at a 45 degree angle. I know that sounds weird, but I found that sometimes tilting a skimmer pump will get it going. Also, inspect that impellar very carefully. I found one of my Sedra impellars refusing to start on demand, and thought it wasn't working. Turns out the magnet was spinning fine, but the needlewheel section was cracked and thus didn't spin up. I glued it on, let it cure overnight, and solved the problem.

MrSpiffy · 04/21/2009, 03:03 PM

I did mention earlier: "I've tried both pumps before (when I first got them) directly plugged into the wall and they did the same thing."

There was nothing really plugged into the circuit other than the pump I tried. It also did this at our condo (our previous residence) and also now in our apartment. So, I'm not thinking it's related to electrical wiring/circuitry.

smoothdog · 04/21/2009, 03:23 PM

Is there any back pressure on the output when the pumps are stopped? Things like anti-siphon valves can create back pressure and make it hard for the pump to start but then the pump will run fine one it gets started and can defeat the back pressure.

MrSpiffy · 04/21/2009, 03:47 PM

Shouldn't be, no. At least, not that I'm aware of. It's a stock NW-150 without the gate valve, and a stock Mag 5. The returns also are just above the surface, so that should let any air out of the lines when it starts up.

melev · 04/21/2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by melev
I've had Mag pumps do that before. It may not start right up, but it will start up after a few minutes. I've been using a Mag 7 on my angled tank for the past 1.5 years, and there were times it started right up, and other times it did not. Within 10 minutes though, it did.

On the Octopus, try angling the pump upwards at a 45 degree angle. I know that sounds weird, but I found that sometimes tilting a skimmer pump will get it going. Also, inspect that impellar very carefully. I found one of my Sedra impellars refusing to start on demand, and thought it wasn't working. Turns out the magnet was spinning fine, but the needlewheel section was cracked and thus didn't spin up. I glued it on, let it cure overnight, and solved the problem.

96p993 · 04/21/2009, 05:23 PM

Told you, you might not like the answer...

Quote:

Originally posted by MrSpiffy
96p993, I'm actually happy with the skimmer and the return pump. I just hate that I have to do this when the power goes out to restart them. It's not like it happens often, and I do have powerheads in the tank, too, to avoid lack of oxygenation in the water when the power comes back on. I was just hoping someone might have a solution to these issues.

t kish · 04/21/2009, 05:49 PM

My Octopus NW150 will not start on its own either , I just thought it was normal.

Skimmer works great otherwise.

T Kish

MrSpiffy · 04/22/2009, 02:36 PM

Well, I know that the impeller isn't cracked, because it still functions after I get it going. But I've had the power go out and it did not start up on its own after sitting for possibly over an hour.

04/21/2009, 08:08 AM	#1
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	Skimmer and return pumps won't restart on their own I'm not sure where else to post this, so I'm putting it here. Ever since I bought my skimmer (Octopus NW-150), the pump would not start up without some help. I just have to blow in the venturi tube to give it more air and that gets it going. Otherwise it just sits there, kinda vibrating but the impeller doesn't spin. It's like it's stuck in the magnetic field, just vibrating back and forth. I see no reason I should have to blow into the tube every single time I unplug it or the power goes out. Is there anything I can do to get this pump to restart on its own? FYI, I also have this problem with my Mag 5 return pump, and that pump has also done it since it was brand new. I have to unscrew my union to pull the pump off, and raise the intake up to the surface in my sump to get it to pull some air, and then it starts up. Sounds like these two pumps have a similar problem. Any ideas? Thanks!

04/21/2009, 08:11 AM	#2
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	are they pluged into a surge protector,or timer?If so i would try pluging directly into the wall,& see if they restart on their own. Just a thought. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

04/21/2009, 11:32 AM	#8
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	What about a air lock. I have this problem with the pump for my chiller. As long as it keeps its prime everything works just fine. But when I do a water change & the water flows out of the pump & air gets in there, I have to eather blow all the water out of the tubes so there is no back pressure or fill the tubes completly with water. Other wise the pump just sits there & humms. It works better to clear the tubes. Just a thought __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

04/21/2009, 03:23 PM	#16
smoothdog Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 4,916	Is there any back pressure on the output when the pumps are stopped? Things like anti-siphon valves can create back pressure and make it hard for the pump to start but then the pump will run fine one it gets started and can defeat the back pressure. __________________ Everything's better with Bacon! Current Tank Info: 150DD SPS dominant mixed reef. 100g sump/fuge, 6'x28"x12" frag tank, Diablo xs200 skimmer, Apex controller, Custom GEO 824 calcium reactor, panworld 200PS return pump. Lumenmax Elite reflector with Radium 250HQI bulb and 3 AI 32 HDs.

04/21/2009, 05:49 PM	#20
t kish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Stoney Creek Ontario Canada Posts: 185	My Octopus NW150 will not start on its own either , I just thought it was normal. Skimmer works great otherwise. T Kish __________________ Learning stage Current Tank Info: 46g with 35g basement sump .

04/21/2009, 08:29 AM	#3
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	They are plugged into a surge protector, but I've tried both pumps before (when I first got them) directly plugged into the wall and they did the same thing. No timers, though.

04/21/2009, 08:41 AM	#4
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	Do they start and just not perform good or just nothing at all when the power is on. I had an issue with my euroreef at first and it had a bunch of crap in the impeller I had to prime the pump to get it started and then I pulled the motor off and cleaned it and that did the trick not sure if that is the problem but I figure that i would share to maybe help

04/21/2009, 09:09 AM	#5
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	The impeller vibrates from the magnetic field trying to start the pump, but it doesn't spin. The pumps both did this when they were brand new and clean. As soon as they get some air in the intake, though, they start right up.

04/21/2009, 10:40 AM	#7
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	I guess I don't understand why this would happen on a brand new pump. I also thought I remembered something about Mag Drive pumps having this issue quite often. It's not like I damaged the impeller. I don't see why replacing it should fix it, unless it was defective. (Which is entirely possible, I guess...)

04/21/2009, 11:46 AM	#9
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	Both pumps fully submerged, so I would think they should be primed all the time.

04/21/2009, 12:44 PM	#11
96p993 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Mckinney, Tx Posts: 1,130	Probably not what you want to hear but I would get rid of the Mag and go with something a bit more reliable (personal choice, but I have never had good luck with the Mag pumps) I also had this same skimmer and had the same problem...I never got it to work right. I finally dumped it as well...

04/21/2009, 02:37 PM	#13
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	Do you have too much plugged into the outlets? They may not be getting enough power to start back up. Try running the pumps off of a different room. They probably need a power surge to get the propeller going. If you have too much on one line you could have this problem.

04/21/2009, 03:01 PM	#14
melev Moved On Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ft Worth, Tx Posts: 43,217	I've had Mag pumps do that before. It may not start right up, but it will start up after a few minutes. I've been using a Mag 7 on my angled tank for the past 1.5 years, and there were times it started right up, and other times it did not. Within 10 minutes though, it did. On the Octopus, try angling the pump upwards at a 45 degree angle. I know that sounds weird, but I found that sometimes tilting a skimmer pump will get it going. Also, inspect that impellar very carefully. I found one of my Sedra impellars refusing to start on demand, and thought it wasn't working. Turns out the magnet was spinning fine, but the needlewheel section was cracked and thus didn't spin up. I glued it on, let it cure overnight, and solved the problem.

04/21/2009, 03:03 PM	#15
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	I did mention earlier: "I've tried both pumps before (when I first got them) directly plugged into the wall and they did the same thing." There was nothing really plugged into the circuit other than the pump I tried. It also did this at our condo (our previous residence) and also now in our apartment. So, I'm not thinking it's related to electrical wiring/circuitry.

04/21/2009, 03:47 PM	#17
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	Shouldn't be, no. At least, not that I'm aware of. It's a stock NW-150 without the gate valve, and a stock Mag 5. The returns also are just above the surface, so that should let any air out of the lines when it starts up.

04/22/2009, 02:36 PM	#21
MrSpiffy Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,300	Well, I know that the impeller isn't cracked, because it still functions after I get it going. But I've had the power go out and it did not start up on its own after sitting for possibly over an hour.