trouble with my euro-reef 5-2

sugarbaker · 11/22/2007, 11:36 AM

I've been running a ER 5-2 on my 75 gallon reef tank for a little over a year now. I periodically (every 3 months or so) take the pump out and soak it in a vinegar bath for a day. As of this last month, I've had problems with the pump shutting down and not being able to restart it. I clean it and then try again and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with these pumps failing (I did buy it used, so I'm not sure what the typical life of the pump is). Is it necessary to replace the entire pump? would it make sense to replace the impeller piece? If there's something I'm missing please let me know. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for your help and happy Thanksgiving.

Stephen

Freed · 11/22/2007, 11:43 AM

The impeller/magnet assembly is most likely welded to the impeller shaft with calcium build up which won't let it spin properly. Soak the impeller in vinegar for a day, then very gently try to push the impeller shaft out of the impeller/magnet. This may take firm pressure on either end of the shaft tips while holding the impeller very firmly and pushing SLOWLY. Any angular or sudden force may break the shaft so be careful.

Fig · 11/22/2007, 11:44 AM

I wonder if there is a short in the pump? Is the impellar smooth or rough like? I would shoot Euro-Reef a email about it and see what they say? ??

sugarbaker · 11/22/2007, 11:49 AM

Freed, the pump can be disassembled with no problem (impeller assembly spins freely on the shaft), but when I take it apart, it does appear that there are scratches on the magnet. I think some sand might have gotten inside the pump, but after the cleaning I figured it would no longer be a problem. I will see about emailing Euro-reef directly. Thanks for your help.

Tennsquire · 11/22/2007, 09:35 PM

The magnets on the impellers on these pumps can swell and become deformed over time, causing them to not spin inside the pump. I've had to replace the impeller on two of my Sedras due to this, and I clean them regularly. You probably need a new impeller.

sugarbaker · 11/23/2007, 08:38 AM

I'll try a new impeller first... if that doesn't work I'll go for the new pump. Thanks everyone for your advice.

sugarbaker · 11/23/2007, 11:48 AM

so a quick update... I decided to try to fix my impeller (being fairly certain that was the problem). I put my impeller on a lathe and turned it with some 100 grit sand paper... not pretty, but it took off enough that the pump is working again. I suspect that I will eventually need to replace the whole apparatus, but for now it's back up and running. Thanks for everyone's help.

Stephen

11/22/2007, 11:36 AM	#1
sugarbaker Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 133	trouble with my euro-reef 5-2 I've been running a ER 5-2 on my 75 gallon reef tank for a little over a year now. I periodically (every 3 months or so) take the pump out and soak it in a vinegar bath for a day. As of this last month, I've had problems with the pump shutting down and not being able to restart it. I clean it and then try again and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with these pumps failing (I did buy it used, so I'm not sure what the typical life of the pump is). Is it necessary to replace the entire pump? would it make sense to replace the impeller piece? If there's something I'm missing please let me know. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for your help and happy Thanksgiving. Stephen

11/22/2007, 11:43 AM	#2
Freed It's what it's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W Posts: 7,579	The impeller/magnet assembly is most likely welded to the impeller shaft with calcium build up which won't let it spin properly. Soak the impeller in vinegar for a day, then very gently try to push the impeller shaft out of the impeller/magnet. This may take firm pressure on either end of the shaft tips while holding the impeller very firmly and pushing SLOWLY. Any angular or sudden force may break the shaft so be careful. __________________ Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT

11/22/2007, 09:35 PM	#5
Tennsquire Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,399	The magnets on the impellers on these pumps can swell and become deformed over time, causing them to not spin inside the pump. I've had to replace the impeller on two of my Sedras due to this, and I clean them regularly. You probably need a new impeller. __________________ Nothin' left to do but smile, smile, smile.... Current Tank Info: 75 reef (2x 250 ReefOptix IIIs, AB 10k bulbs w/ 330 watt VHO, EuroReef RC135 skimmer, multicontrolled Tunze 6095's X2); 40 sps prop tank (Outer Orbit Pro 150, Euroreef CS6-1+ skimmer); 20 softie prop tank

11/22/2007, 11:44 AM	#3
Fig Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 817	I wonder if there is a short in the pump? Is the impellar smooth or rough like? I would shoot Euro-Reef a email about it and see what they say? ??

11/22/2007, 11:49 AM	#4
sugarbaker Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 133	Freed, the pump can be disassembled with no problem (impeller assembly spins freely on the shaft), but when I take it apart, it does appear that there are scratches on the magnet. I think some sand might have gotten inside the pump, but after the cleaning I figured it would no longer be a problem. I will see about emailing Euro-reef directly. Thanks for your help.

11/23/2007, 08:38 AM	#6
sugarbaker Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 133	I'll try a new impeller first... if that doesn't work I'll go for the new pump. Thanks everyone for your advice.

11/23/2007, 11:48 AM	#7
sugarbaker Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 133	so a quick update... I decided to try to fix my impeller (being fairly certain that was the problem). I put my impeller on a lathe and turned it with some 100 grit sand paper... not pretty, but it took off enough that the pump is working again. I suspect that I will eventually need to replace the whole apparatus, but for now it's back up and running. Thanks for everyone's help. Stephen