Need help..pump in my sump stopped working

spanishnative · 10/05/2009, 07:08 PM

Hello!
I am a noob so I apologize for my ignorance. I just setup a 54 gal tank with a overflow box and a 10 gal sump. The tank was running with no problems (30 min or so) and all of sudden the pump in my sump stopped running. I checked the electric and all is good at the receptacle. Where do I start to diag the prob. There is not alot of room to work under cabinet.
Thank you for your help.

nychris351 · 10/05/2009, 07:34 PM

Take the pump out and take the cover off.. Maybe its clogged or the impeller just needs to be reseated

ROB2005 · 10/05/2009, 07:39 PM

Also check to see if the impeller may broken as well.

spamreefnew · 10/05/2009, 07:41 PM

yea 90% of the time it is an issue with the impeller

Playa-1 · 10/05/2009, 08:55 PM

What kind of pump is it?

PRDubois · 10/05/2009, 11:18 PM

Sometimes just tapping it will make it work.

marioensf · 10/06/2009, 01:15 AM

Clean the impeller housing and make sure the impeller spins free over the shaft, sometimes there's build up on the shaft and it stops working properly. A strainer of some kind should be placed on the pump intake if there's anything close like macro algae or sand that might get sucked in causing the accumulation.

Lemeshianos · 10/06/2009, 02:44 AM

what is the pump brand and model and how high is your return?

lordofthereef · 10/06/2009, 12:24 PM

Take the thing apart and put it back together. If you don't see anything wrong with it like buildup or something I would just get a new one. Don't really want it turning off when you are not around if you cannot diagnose the problem.

pjewett · 10/06/2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

Take the thing apart and put it back together. If you don't see anything wrong with it like buildup or something I would just get a new one. Don't really want it turning off when you are not around if you cannot diagnose the problem.

Sorry to hi-jack guys but I'm about to upgrade to a RR 72 gal tank from my 55 and it'll be my first time with a sump.

I thought these modern rigs were designed so that these big messes were almost impossible? Seems crazy to me to have it all riding on a pump that could stop working at any time....

IS that really how it is?

seapug · 10/06/2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjewett

Sorry to hi-jack guys but I'm about to upgrade to a RR 72 gal tank from my 55 and it'll be my first time with a sump.

I thought these modern rigs were designed so that these big messes were almost impossible? Seems crazy to me to have it all riding on a pump that could stop working at any time....

IS that really how it is?

Water circulation is key to keeping marine organisms alive. No matter how state of the art your system is, if your main return pump dies and you have no other means of circulation in the tank, livestock usually starts dying in about 12 hours.

As for the OP, I'd follow the advice given above. Sometimes just opening the pump, pulling out the impeller and putting it back in does the trick.

thegrun · 10/06/2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjewett

Sorry to hi-jack guys but I'm about to upgrade to a RR 72 gal tank from my 55 and it'll be my first time with a sump.

I thought these modern rigs were designed so that these big messes were almost impossible? Seems crazy to me to have it all riding on a pump that could stop working at any time....

IS that really how it is?

Most of us keep a spare pump for these type of emergencies. It doesn't have to be the same size, just something to keep the water moving. A generator is also a great idea to protect your investment.

firefish2020 · 10/06/2009, 04:02 PM

The weak part of any system is the most critical part(s), these must have extra attention paid to them or you are just asking for trouble down the road. Yes also agree the use of powerheads will save you for a while if the mains circ pump fails.

pjewett · 10/06/2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

Most of us keep a spare pump for these type of emergencies. It doesn't have to be the same size, just something to keep the water moving. A generator is also a great idea to protect your investment.

I no I completely understand that. I'm talking about failures that result in water all over the floor...

Playa-1 · 10/06/2009, 08:05 PM

Careful planning and most problems are easily avoided. A pump failing shouldn't put water on the floor. A carefully planned system will easily accommodate a heater failure or a return pump failure. About the only way water is going on my floor is if my tank ruptures. I'm not planning to ever see that happen

spanishnative · 10/06/2009, 08:29 PM

I took apart the pump and found nothing wrong, plugged back in and worked. I replaced the impeller with a new one and it is working like a charm. The pump is a pondmaster( i think, no label or anything to id it.)

Playa-1 · 10/06/2009, 08:35 PM

Many times a lil spin on the prop will get it working again. But it's good to know how to takem apart and putem back together

10/05/2009, 07:08 PM	#1
spanishnative Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Meadville, PA Posts: 12	Need help..pump in my sump stopped working Hello! I am a noob so I apologize for my ignorance. I just setup a 54 gal tank with a overflow box and a 10 gal sump. The tank was running with no problems (30 min or so) and all of sudden the pump in my sump stopped running. I checked the electric and all is good at the receptacle. Where do I start to diag the prob. There is not alot of room to work under cabinet. Thank you for your help.

10/05/2009, 07:39 PM	#3
ROB2005 Reefing Is My Passion! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 719	Also check to see if the impeller may broken as well. __________________ If at first you don't succeed at reefing, break it down and set back up😁 Current Tank Info: 75 gallon corner overflow, 4-54W T-5 , dozen blue hermits, tiger pistol/yellow watchman goby, royal gramma, banghai and pajama cardinals

10/05/2009, 11:18 PM	#6
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Sometimes just tapping it will make it work. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

10/06/2009, 08:29 PM	#16
spanishnative Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Meadville, PA Posts: 12	Thank you! I took apart the pump and found nothing wrong, plugged back in and worked. I replaced the impeller with a new one and it is working like a charm. The pump is a pondmaster( i think, no label or anything to id it.)

10/05/2009, 07:34 PM	#2
nychris351 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: BROOKLYN Posts: 319	Take the pump out and take the cover off.. Maybe its clogged or the impeller just needs to be reseated

10/05/2009, 07:41 PM	#4
spamreefnew Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: rhodeisland Posts: 1,491	yea 90% of the time it is an issue with the impeller

10/05/2009, 08:55 PM	#5
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	What kind of pump is it?

10/06/2009, 01:15 AM	#7
marioensf Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,502	Clean the impeller housing and make sure the impeller spins free over the shaft, sometimes there's build up on the shaft and it stops working properly. A strainer of some kind should be placed on the pump intake if there's anything close like macro algae or sand that might get sucked in causing the accumulation.

10/06/2009, 02:44 AM	#8
Lemeshianos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Limassol, Cyprus Posts: 468	what is the pump brand and model and how high is your return?

10/06/2009, 12:24 PM	#9
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Take the thing apart and put it back together. If you don't see anything wrong with it like buildup or something I would just get a new one. Don't really want it turning off when you are not around if you cannot diagnose the problem.

10/06/2009, 04:02 PM	#13
firefish2020 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: West Virginia Posts: 3,859	The weak part of any system is the most critical part(s), these must have extra attention paid to them or you are just asking for trouble down the road. Yes also agree the use of powerheads will save you for a while if the mains circ pump fails.

10/06/2009, 08:05 PM	#15
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Careful planning and most problems are easily avoided. A pump failing shouldn't put water on the floor. A carefully planned system will easily accommodate a heater failure or a return pump failure. About the only way water is going on my floor is if my tank ruptures. I'm not planning to ever see that happen

10/06/2009, 08:35 PM	#17
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	Many times a lil spin on the prop will get it working again. But it's good to know how to takem apart and putem back together