Dying Pumps

jharding08 · 04/20/2015, 12:47 PM

I looked in my inventory yesterday and noticed that I had about 10 pumps in a box that didnt do anything when plugged in.

I have about 6 MJ1200s that just don't turn on when plugged in. Are they known for doing this? I know they are cheap, but do they have less than a year lifespan? I use them for water changes, mixing saltwater, etc.

I have a Eheim 1250 that turns on, but doesnt push any water. I look the impeller out and it looks to be intact and I can hear it spinning. Might be loose in its housing?

I have some other pumps that just don't turn on. Is it water leakage into the electrical housing?

Gary Majchrzak · 04/20/2015, 01:01 PM

Jammed pumps usually the result of calcium deposits.
Are you sure that you're monitoring sg, Ca, dKH and Mg properly?

Eheim and MJs are reliable pumps that should last many years.

Do some vinegar soaks and see if it frees them up

jharding08 · 04/20/2015, 01:13 PM

Is it a jammed pump if I dont even hear a hum when I plug it in?

Gary Majchrzak · 04/20/2015, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jharding08

Is it a jammed pump if I dont even hear a hum when I plug it in?

Unknown. Soak in vinegar and give the pump a tap. Maybe she'll kick.

fishresponse · 04/20/2015, 10:43 PM

+1 that those pumps should last years. The entire motor is sealed so if the impeller isn't spinning after your vinegar bath and a few knocks on the pump to jump start then yes most likely those pumps are done.

Reef Frog · 04/21/2015, 01:41 AM

IMO the standard Marineland 900 & 1200 pumls have declined in quality during the last few years. Might be OK for FW, but I think there are better options for salt water. But the smaller Marine land pumls like the 404 & 606 have been great & bery durable.

Steve Atkins · 04/21/2015, 03:53 AM

The Eheim might be oscillating. Sometimes the magnet on the impeller goes bad. A new impeller should fix it.

oseymour · 04/21/2015, 08:08 AM

I use powerheads and pumps every week to mix fresh saltwater and they usually take a few minutes to get going. If they don't a quick soak in warm water usually frees them up.

joejvj · 04/21/2015, 08:48 AM

Take the plastic cover off and spin the impeller with your fingers. If it's hard to turn or won't turn at all, that's your problem. Clean thoroughly as posted.

dendrite · 04/21/2015, 09:54 AM

soak the pump body in vinegar and just replace the impellers. Foster/Smith is probably the cheapest around. When the impeller won't even spin it usually is that the impeller magnet has cracked and enlarged radially. Soak the pump then just pull out impeller with pliers and replace. When the MJ impeller spins freely but doesn't work then the internal stop has broken and replace the impeller. I've never seen a pump body that didn't work with some cleaning and a new impeller

jharding08 · 04/21/2015, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Atkins

The Eheim might be oscillating. Sometimes the magnet on the impeller goes bad. A new impeller should fix it.

I do see and hear the Eheim impeller oscillating, it just doesn't push any water.
Is the fan supposed to have some room to travel along the shaft? I got this pump with my tank and never got it to work.

04/20/2015, 12:47 PM	#1
jharding08 BlueWorldAquatics.com Join Date: May 2012 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 657	Dying Pumps I looked in my inventory yesterday and noticed that I had about 10 pumps in a box that didnt do anything when plugged in. I have about 6 MJ1200s that just don't turn on when plugged in. Are they known for doing this? I know they are cheap, but do they have less than a year lifespan? I use them for water changes, mixing saltwater, etc. I have a Eheim 1250 that turns on, but doesnt push any water. I look the impeller out and it looks to be intact and I can hear it spinning. Might be loose in its housing? I have some other pumps that just don't turn on. Is it water leakage into the electrical housing? __________________ Stats: 180 g Mixed SPS/LPS reef tank, 30 gallon sump, live rock, GFO\Carbon, AquaMaxx AM250 in-sump skimmer, felt filter socks, cleaning crew

04/20/2015, 01:01 PM	#2
Gary Majchrzak Team RC Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 41,560	Jammed pumps usually the result of calcium deposits. Are you sure that you're monitoring sg, Ca, dKH and Mg properly? Eheim and MJs are reliable pumps that should last many years. Do some vinegar soaks and see if it frees them up __________________ over 24 years experience with multiple types of marine aquarium systems see Upstate Reef Society Forum on RC and FB GOOGLE JUNIOR'S REEF Current Tank Info: 84x24x30 265g reef past TOTM honors

04/20/2015, 01:13 PM	#3
jharding08 BlueWorldAquatics.com Join Date: May 2012 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 657	Is it a jammed pump if I dont even hear a hum when I plug it in? __________________ Stats: 180 g Mixed SPS/LPS reef tank, 30 gallon sump, live rock, GFO\Carbon, AquaMaxx AM250 in-sump skimmer, felt filter socks, cleaning crew

04/20/2015, 10:43 PM	#5
fishresponse Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 644	+1 that those pumps should last years. The entire motor is sealed so if the impeller isn't spinning after your vinegar bath and a few knocks on the pump to jump start then yes most likely those pumps are done. __________________ –Andy 265g w/ 20" synergy overflow box Hamilton Cebu MH/T5 fixture w/ 250w Radium bulbs SPS/LPS mix \| 30g (long) refugium with cheato \| 40g sump

04/21/2015, 03:53 AM	#7
Steve Atkins Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 552	The Eheim might be oscillating. Sometimes the magnet on the impeller goes bad. A new impeller should fix it. __________________ 500L (135USG) mixed reef, SRO3000-int skimmer, Profilux controller & doser, Tunze wave pumps, TMC Aquaray LED lighting.

04/21/2015, 01:41 AM	#6
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	IMO the standard Marineland 900 & 1200 pumls have declined in quality during the last few years. Might be OK for FW, but I think there are better options for salt water. But the smaller Marine land pumls like the 404 & 606 have been great & bery durable.

04/21/2015, 08:08 AM	#8
oseymour Euphyllia Addict Join Date: May 2012 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,424	I use powerheads and pumps every week to mix fresh saltwater and they usually take a few minutes to get going. If they don't a quick soak in warm water usually frees them up. __________________ Just started Red Sea Reefer 350 (75 Gallon) Build Thread - http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2555495 Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 350

04/21/2015, 08:48 AM	#9
joejvj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 115	Take the plastic cover off and spin the impeller with your fingers. If it's hard to turn or won't turn at all, that's your problem. Clean thoroughly as posted.

04/21/2015, 09:54 AM	#10
dendrite Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: denver Posts: 493	soak the pump body in vinegar and just replace the impellers. Foster/Smith is probably the cheapest around. When the impeller won't even spin it usually is that the impeller magnet has cracked and enlarged radially. Soak the pump then just pull out impeller with pliers and replace. When the MJ impeller spins freely but doesn't work then the internal stop has broken and replace the impeller. I've never seen a pump body that didn't work with some cleaning and a new impeller