Return Pump Squealing?

I have a 120 g tank and my return pump has been in use for over a year on this current setup and was being used by the person I bought it from for over 4 years without any problems. I have personally had it for over a year and its been perfect.

Here recently, it has started squealing (within the last two days) and it will shoot bubbles all into the tank. The water level in the sump is no low; i have an ATO and its at the same level its always been at.

Does anyone know whats going on?

 

What brand and model of pump? Internal or external? Have you ever cleaned the impeller and shaft or the entire pump end in vinegar to remove the calcium build up?

 

Sounds like it might need a good cleaning? Possibly one of the magnets has gotten wet and is breaking down or swelling.

 

If its a fan cooled external pump it could be a bad bearing or bushing, if its a product cooled pump it could be the shaft building up with calcium etc., need to know the pump to answer accurately.

 

I agree you should clean your impeller and housing on that pump at least 3-4 times a year to prevent failure do to build up.

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I would have to ask to be honest. I bought it from my uncle who owns a LFS but I cant remember the type. Its internal

how would I clean it without getting water all over the place?


I got to add another note. I noticed that the return section was low, so I added water to that and it has stopped. How is this possible? My sump has a constant level and everything is connected, how would that one section be low?

 

Well if he owns a LFS then he should be able to tell you the make and model.

Also he should also be able to instruct you on proper care and maintenance on the pump.

If the water level was low in the return section, that means that the impeller on the pump was sucking on air, which will damage a pump.

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i know this, what im trying to figure out is HOW its low, all of a sudden, when nothing has changed, and I have a working ATO?

 

Is your ATO in the sump so it fills the return pump section? This is the area you will always see evaporation in and will require top off, the display will stay constant as will other sections of the sump depending on baffle configuration.

To clean a submersible pump, disassemble the impeller and shaft if possible then soak the entire pump and parts in a bucket filled at least 50/50 with distilled white vinegar and water. I use straight undiluted vinegar myself since it works better with the lower pH. I then strain out the big stuff and pour the vinegar back in the gallon jug for next time. A gallon is less than $2 at WalMart. Let it soak for a couple hours and it will come out loking brand new.

 

Thank you for your help guys. I think I figured it out.

My sump is Drain, Skimmer, Refuge, Return. I have a "floating" refuge so there is a constant flow to the return. However, right where this floating refuge starts is a green sponge/filter pad. I guess that pad has gotten so stopped up that it slowed down flow to the return. I moved it and the return instantly went to its normal level.