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SkylerS 
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 Topic: Powerhead problems
Posted: April 11 2012 at 11:42am |
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Hey guys. So I JUST got a new protein skimmer in the mail today, got it assembled, washed and put it in my sump. Plugged it in and it fired right up. YAY! Well, I went back 5 minutes later to check on the head and it wasn't running. I pulled the pump and opened it up, cleaned it out as a little chaeto had gotten in. Reassembled it and plugged it in. It fired up and then stopped after about a minute. help? And it's brand new, not a reman or used.
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BobC63
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 11:54am |
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Type of skimmer / pump?
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- My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) -
* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *
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SkylerS
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 12:08pm |
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the skimmer is an SCA-303 and the pump is an aquamedic ph-2500 with a needle wheel.
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SkylerS
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 12:11pm |
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make that an atman 2500
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BobC63
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 12:16pm |
I have an Atman 2500 on my Bubble Magus
Is it pinwheel impeller or mesh impeller?
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- My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) -
* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *
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SkylerS
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 12:19pm |
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Pinwheel
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BobC63
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 12:27pm |
Ok, good - pinwheels are more durable and are easier to start up.
Remove the impeller and check for any more chaeto or other obstruction. Also check the pump housing cavity where the impeller sits. Make sure the little rubber pieces are on each end of the impeller shaft. Check the impeller shaft to make sure it has not cracked anyhere.
If everything checks out OK, then reinstall the impeller. Make sure you do not set the impeller cover on too tight or it can bind the impeller. Reattach the pump to the skimmer, and put back in the water.
Plug in. If not making bubbles, is it pushing any water at all?
If yes, then blow a little air into the airline tubing and see if that helps. Check the airline for a pinch or obstruction or even salt creep.
If the pump still does not push even water, remove the pump, open the impeller cover, and plug the pump in dry, just to see if the impeller spins or vibrates.
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- My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) -
* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *
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SkylerS
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 12:41pm |
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okay here's the update, impeller is intact, no crack. both rubber pieces are in their allocated positions and evefrything is clean. If I leave it alone for about 5 minutes and disassemble/reassemble it it ill turn on, but only for about 45 seconds. Then it shuts off. It get's surprisingly warm even if I'm testing it in a bucket of cold tap water. When it shuts down, the impeller doesn't even try to turn like when they get bound, it just sits there dead. So I'm thinking there's a defect with the pump motor... I'm contacting the seller and trying to get a new pump asap. The reviews on the skimmer are great and I've only heard good things about the atman 2500 so I'm a little disappointed this is happening right now.
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BobC63
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 12:56pm |
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Sounds like possible a warped or out of round impeller.
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- My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) -
* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *
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SkylerS
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 1:05pm |
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I think its just a crap motor. Even if the impeller were warped or bent, it would still TRY to turn right? Vibration or movement of some kind.... but it just stops. It runs for 45 seconds or so, and it stops and if you reach in and touch the impeller there's no indication it's trying to move.
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BobC63
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 1:07pm |
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Does the impeller pr pump heat up at all?
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- My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) -
* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *
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SkylerS
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 1:13pm |
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yes. it gets pretty warm
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SkylerS
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Posted: April 11 2012 at 4:34pm |
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New pump on the way!
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