beware of transporting dry pumps

I recently took down my tank that had two Rio 3100 submersible pumps. After a hot 3 hour car ride, I reassembled the tank and was shocked to find that the pumps would not turn over when they were plugged in.

Thinking they were shot, I panicked and bought a small pump to circulate water in the display tank until I could find replacements for the Rios. Once I calmed down, I took the Rios apart thinking they might be blocked.

It turns out that the magnet inside the pump had become calcified in place during the car ride and wasn't able to rotate. They worked fine after being scrubbed out. Had I not checked this, it would have been a very expensive mistake.

So, BEWARE of letting your pumps dry out for any amount of time.

 

thanks for the tip

 

Great advice. Karma to you.

Soaking them in a bucket of vinegar a couple time per year is a good idea too.

 

Great info......

 

Thanks both...for info.


Vinegar on order for next maintenance day...

 

Also, cleaning them out every month or so is greatly recommended. Luna