Warped Impeller? Pump malfuntion...

Hey everyone -

I woke up yesterday to my mag drive pump spitting air into my tank. The water level had gotten a few inches above the bottom of the refugium, dangerously low. After everything was turned off and the water level restored to normal, I turned the pump on, which made an awful loud sound and refused to pump water. What are the symptoms of a warped impeller? I've tried taking the pump apart and cleaning it, but to no avail. Should I make a quick dash to the LFS to grab another pump? The pump in question is a mag drive, by the way. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks -

 

A photo of the impeller/pump might give some clues as to what is causing the problem. Is the pump in question covered by any kind of warentee/guarantee? IMO I would get another pump in the meantime until the mag drive pump can be fixed/sent back or worst case scenario chucked.

Phil

 

Did you find out why the water in the fuge went so low, is your water intake restricted. Also on the mag pumps make sure that all the air is out of the pump or it won't start. I have had issues with this in the past where the pump seems dead then I take it out of the tank, take it apart, reassemble it and it works fine.

If it is the impeller that is bad you can order just the impeller online from many sites. I had one break a couple months ago and ordered a couple extras.

You also might want to put a switch on the pump so that if the water in the fuge goes too low it shuts of the pump, helps to not burn our the pump or so that all the water in the pump doesn't get pumped into the dt if the water flowing back into the fuge/sump stops.

Have a Great Day

cat4wisson

 

+1

Kinda sounds to me like you let the water get too low and burned up the pump.