Sump and skimmer pump stopped working

Mostly.. I have an OceanRunner 3500 return pump and a Marineland 300 skimmer. When I turn on the skimmer, I hear a rumbleing from the pump, and water rises in the skimmer a little. The OceanRunner also rumbles, and there is some water being pushed out of it.

The skimmer would not start Saturday. The OceanRunner would not restart this morning. Usually they would both rumble a bit then go. I have opened them both up, and do not see anything wrong. I have changed the impeller on the skimmer. No difference.

Is this something that happens to mag drive pumps? Is there a fix?

 

They have to "jump" start sort of. The impeller is loose on the shaft. When the motor starts (the shaft attached to the magnets) it get a "running start" at hitting then turning the impeller. Check to see that the impeller turns freely on the shaft. It will turn about a quarter or half turn. Next soak everything in viegar. You might not "see" anything... but are you sure you do not have any calcuim on anything?

 

+1 on the vinegar soak.

 

No calcium at all. The impellers spin freely on the shaft. I sprayed the impellers, shafts and the impeller housing with vinegar, wiped them off, and reassembled the pumps. Same thing. A LOT of rumbleing, little flow.

 

It sounds good, but they really need to be soaked. spraying or washing is just not the same. Even if it is remote... it really is the first thing you should do. Once you rule that out, then you can go to something next.

However... you are talking two different pumps, from two different makers doing two different jobs both have trouble at the same time. I would bett money they are calcified..... if they are then your other pumps need to be soaked and then you need to figure out why.