Does a powerhead's pumping capability decrease over time?

psimitry · 12/21/2008, 10:27 PM

I'll preface this by answering the most obvious questions. Yes, I do clean the pump. No, I have no blockages in my return plumbing.

The issues I'm having is this. I've owned two Via Aqua VA2600 pumps now that I use as a return pump from sump to my 90 gallon tank. Over time, both pumps have gone from a RAGE flow to a slow trickle. I clean them, I run them in vinegar, nothing. I can't seem to do anything to bring back the performance. And as I can't get any decent flow from the pump, my sump is proper temperature, but my tank is cold and I'm hardly pulling any skimmate from the skimmer.

So I guess what I'm asking is for suggestions to either a: bring back the performance of the 2600 (preferable), or a suggestion of a pump that won't lose performance over time like this.

I've considered a mag-drive 7, but they're kinda pricey, noisy and hot (I had a used one that I was using inbetween time when I got my replacement VA2600 and managed to drop it when I was moving recently).

Help?

customcolor · 12/21/2008, 11:08 PM

i have heard of this with the mag7 pumps too. the fix would be get a new impeller. the magnet on the impeller could be loosing its magnatizum (sp?)

psimitry · 12/21/2008, 11:20 PM

Grr. Is there a pump that DOESN'T have this problem?

I'd hate to spend the money on an external pump, but if it's what has to be done...

psimitry · 12/21/2008, 11:27 PM

Alternatively, replacement impellers are kinda hard to find.

hairyman1 · 12/24/2008, 12:13 AM

No, the pump is shot. When the coil winding goes on a epoxy sealed pump that's all she wrote. You need a new pump. I've had some pumps QO due this within 18 months and one mag after 6 years. No pump will last forever, but there are a few tricks to help it last longer.

Toddrtrex · 12/24/2008, 12:29 AM

Just throwing this out there.

Next time you clean it, try testing the output of it. Fill up a 5 gallon bucket, and have it fill up an empty one. Then figure out how close it is to its rated value. Not saying that it isn't bad, but would let you know if there is some blockage in your pipes. I think the odds of this are fairly low, but it won't cost you anything.

And as for pumps being pricey, I agree that some are more expensive then others, but sometimes they pay for themselves. I have a 7+ year old Velocity T2 that is running just as great as the day I bought it.

mrapisura · 12/24/2008, 11:53 AM

I have the same pump that I bought used that I was pricing. You can find a new one for under $40 not including shipping. I also found an impeller for $10 on ebay. Let me know and maybe we can share shipping on a new pump or get the impellers. Your comments have me wondering if my flow is low, but because this is my first time using the Via Aqua and wasn't sure. How long did your pump last you? I like them because they seem to not put out much heat. Send me a pm if you are interested. I am in Queen Creek, but Work in Mesa.

psimitry · 12/27/2008, 11:00 PM

Update: Got a new impeller from the ebay site that mrapisura mentioned.

Result: zero improvement.

I have a flow meter that I've never used. I will get some flex hose from lowes tomorrow and rate it.

I'm probably going to have to just bite the bullet and buy a new pump, but we'll see.

psimitry · 01/14/2009, 12:56 PM

Ok so a buncha days later, I still haven't rated the flow on the pump (just haven't had time).

HOWEVER - does anyone know if closing the outgoing line via gate valve to say (and this really is a guess) 1/3 flow causes excessive wear & tear on the pump?

Toddrtrex · 01/14/2009, 12:57 PM

No, as long as it is on the output side it is fine. Input side would cause damage.

psimitry · 01/14/2009, 01:05 PM

Definitely on the output side.

Dang it I just gotta measure the flow on the thing. That will at least help me measure the problem.

12/21/2008, 10:27 PM	#1
psimitry Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,560	Does a powerhead's pumping capability decrease over time? I'll preface this by answering the most obvious questions. Yes, I do clean the pump. No, I have no blockages in my return plumbing. The issues I'm having is this. I've owned two Via Aqua VA2600 pumps now that I use as a return pump from sump to my 90 gallon tank. Over time, both pumps have gone from a RAGE flow to a slow trickle. I clean them, I run them in vinegar, nothing. I can't seem to do anything to bring back the performance. And as I can't get any decent flow from the pump, my sump is proper temperature, but my tank is cold and I'm hardly pulling any skimmate from the skimmer. So I guess what I'm asking is for suggestions to either a: bring back the performance of the 2600 (preferable), or a suggestion of a pump that won't lose performance over time like this. I've considered a mag-drive 7, but they're kinda pricey, noisy and hot (I had a used one that I was using inbetween time when I got my replacement VA2600 and managed to drop it when I was moving recently). Help?

12/21/2008, 11:08 PM	#2
customcolor Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: kaukauna, wi. Posts: 3,879	i have heard of this with the mag7 pumps too. the fix would be get a new impeller. the magnet on the impeller could be loosing its magnatizum (sp?) __________________ PLEASE DONT USE GREAT STUFF (THE YELLOW STUFF) IN YOUR TANK........USE POND FOAM (THE BLACK STUFF).. I BEG YOU! Great stuff====$5 a can 24-48 hour cure Epoxy to cover it====little as $5 for small projects or up to $100+ for larger projects and another 24-48 hour cure I hope you covered it well cuz if you didnt it will start to break down in a few months sand is another added cost to cover up the yellow. Pond foams====$9-$15 a can 24-48 hour cure DONE! You can cover it with sand if you want to (YOU DONT HAVE TO) though but thats added cost again Current Tank Info: 75 gal under way

12/24/2008, 12:29 AM	#6
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Just throwing this out there. Next time you clean it, try testing the output of it. Fill up a 5 gallon bucket, and have it fill up an empty one. Then figure out how close it is to its rated value. Not saying that it isn't bad, but would let you know if there is some blockage in your pipes. I think the odds of this are fairly low, but it won't cost you anything. And as for pumps being pricey, I agree that some are more expensive then others, but sometimes they pay for themselves. I have a 7+ year old Velocity T2 that is running just as great as the day I bought it. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

12/24/2008, 11:53 AM	#7
mrapisura Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Tan Valley, AZ Posts: 593	I have the same pump that I bought used that I was pricing. You can find a new one for under $40 not including shipping. I also found an impeller for $10 on ebay. Let me know and maybe we can share shipping on a new pump or get the impellers. Your comments have me wondering if my flow is low, but because this is my first time using the Via Aqua and wasn't sure. How long did your pump last you? I like them because they seem to not put out much heat. Send me a pm if you are interested. I am in Queen Creek, but Work in Mesa. __________________ -Mike Current Tank Info: 12 Gal Aquapod, 3 gal picotope

01/14/2009, 12:57 PM	#10
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	No, as long as it is on the output side it is fine. Input side would cause damage. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

12/21/2008, 11:20 PM	#3
psimitry Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,560	Grr. Is there a pump that DOESN'T have this problem? I'd hate to spend the money on an external pump, but if it's what has to be done...

12/21/2008, 11:27 PM	#4
psimitry Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,560	Alternatively, replacement impellers are kinda hard to find.

12/24/2008, 12:13 AM	#5
hairyman1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 271	No, the pump is shot. When the coil winding goes on a epoxy sealed pump that's all she wrote. You need a new pump. I've had some pumps QO due this within 18 months and one mag after 6 years. No pump will last forever, but there are a few tricks to help it last longer.

12/27/2008, 11:00 PM	#8
psimitry Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,560	Update: Got a new impeller from the ebay site that mrapisura mentioned. Result: zero improvement. I have a flow meter that I've never used. I will get some flex hose from lowes tomorrow and rate it. I'm probably going to have to just bite the bullet and buy a new pump, but we'll see.

01/14/2009, 12:56 PM	#9
psimitry Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,560	Ok so a buncha days later, I still haven't rated the flow on the pump (just haven't had time). HOWEVER - does anyone know if closing the outgoing line via gate valve to say (and this really is a guess) 1/3 flow causes excessive wear & tear on the pump?

01/14/2009, 01:05 PM	#11
psimitry Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,560	Definitely on the output side. Dang it I just gotta measure the flow on the thing. That will at least help me measure the problem.