Replace sump pump that ran dry?

spazthecat · 08/15/2010, 04:26 PM

Hi,

Last Saturday I left for vacation and there was a little mishap with my ATO. The end result was the sump ending up pretty much empty due to evaporation and the Mag 18 I use as the return pump running dry 3-4 days.

The sump was full when I left and I estimate it emptied out around Wednesday (maybe Thursday). So, it could have ran dry Wed through Saturday evening when I got home.

I filled it back up and the pump seems to be pumping OK. The output might be a bit diminished but not majorly diminished.

So, would you just replace the impeller since it seems to be pretty much OK? Or, would you swap out the whole pump?

Thanks,

Andy

moondoggy4 · 08/15/2010, 08:15 PM

Usually Mag's impellers will swell when they get hot so you got lucky. I would just observe it. You can always upgrade the pump but hat is up to you. The new bubble blaster look good. How big is your tank?

tkeracer619 · 08/15/2010, 08:44 PM

I would upgrade. Your return pump is your most basic life support. Once it has been compromised its a good investment to replace it.

spazthecat · 08/16/2010, 04:53 PM

Thanks for the replies.

My tank is a 75 gallon with a 30 gallon sump in the basement approximately 12 feet away.

--Andy

weezyfella · 08/16/2010, 05:02 PM

The impeller could of swelled up and locked up on you, but just a a precaution, I'd invest in another pump, especially since it is traveling a long distance up back to the tank from the basement.

08/15/2010, 04:26 PM	#1
spazthecat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pickerington, OH Posts: 220	Replace sump pump that ran dry? Hi, Last Saturday I left for vacation and there was a little mishap with my ATO. The end result was the sump ending up pretty much empty due to evaporation and the Mag 18 I use as the return pump running dry 3-4 days. The sump was full when I left and I estimate it emptied out around Wednesday (maybe Thursday). So, it could have ran dry Wed through Saturday evening when I got home. I filled it back up and the pump seems to be pumping OK. The output might be a bit diminished but not majorly diminished. So, would you just replace the impeller since it seems to be pretty much OK? Or, would you swap out the whole pump? Thanks, Andy

08/15/2010, 08:44 PM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	I would upgrade. Your return pump is your most basic life support. Once it has been compromised its a good investment to replace it. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

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08/15/2010, 08:15 PM	#2
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Usually Mag's impellers will swell when they get hot so you got lucky. I would just observe it. You can always upgrade the pump but hat is up to you. The new bubble blaster look good. How big is your tank?

08/16/2010, 04:53 PM	#4
spazthecat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pickerington, OH Posts: 220	Thanks for the replies. My tank is a 75 gallon with a 30 gallon sump in the basement approximately 12 feet away. --Andy

08/16/2010, 05:02 PM	#5
weezyfella Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Meadow, LI Posts: 134	The impeller could of swelled up and locked up on you, but just a a precaution, I'd invest in another pump, especially since it is traveling a long distance up back to the tank from the basement.