Bought used

pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member
If it's not creating tiny bubbles, it's most likely one of two things: The venturi is clogged, or the impeller needs replacing.

The venturi is the nipple on the gray ring on the intake of the pump... that the air tube attaches to. If it's clogged, the pump can't get air. If it's not clogged, but still isn't sucking air, the needle wheel impeller may be bad. A bulging or cracked magnet won't allow the pump run fast enough to create adequate suction into the venturi. According to the big bubbles in the picture, it's getting some air, so I'm going to guess that the needle wheel isn't spinning fast enough to shred the bubbles into the small, finer bubbles that you would typically see in a normally operating pump.
 
rwiesner20

rwiesner20

Member
Well I pulled the grey ring off and unscrewed it so I could better inspect the line and venturi. I did not see any type of clogs or cracks in it. Also pulled the needle wheel back out found a few particles of something stuck in the small little needle arms. So I cleaned that and checked the magnetic didn't see anything. But once back together it is still performing with out the fine bubbles. Not sure what my next step should be now. Do they just sell the impeller as a replacement part or am I better off buying a new pump for the skimmer.
 
pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member
Needle wheel impellers are usually available for RO skimmer pumps. Not sure which pump you have, so I can't tell how easily they can be found. I'd compare the prices of the impeller against the price of the pump assembly. If there's not a big difference, I'd go with the pump. If the coils in the pump are going bad, it wouldn't accomplish anything by replacing the impeller. Before spending money on a pump (or parts), I'd recommend placing the pump in a large tub or bucket with a 50/50 mix of tap water and vinegar. Run it in the solution for 24 hours, give it a thorough rinsing, and try it on the skimmer again to see if it helped.

PS: If the flow in the container of solution appears weak, it's probably time for a new pump. It should churn the water rather vigorously...
 
rwiesner20

rwiesner20

Member
Really appreciate all of the input I will try the vinegar and water then let ya know. According to the side label its a Octopus Turbine Pump, Model: OTP-1000.
Did a quick search and found out my pump is discontinued. So I may have to buy RO new pump they our using.
 
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pegasus

pegasus

Well-Known Member
Yep, discontinued. If they weren't so expensive, I'd recommend a Bubble Blaster HY-1000, but you could almost buy a new skimmer for the price of just the pump. Not sure which other pumps will interchange with the OTP-1000. Sorry...
 
rwiesner20

rwiesner20

Member
pegasus said:
Yep, discontinued. If they weren't so expensive, I'd recommend a Bubble Blaster HY-1000, but you could almost buy a new skimmer for the price of just the pump. Not sure which other pumps will interchange with the OTP-1000. Sorry...
Click to expand...
According to CoralVue the replacement pump is a Aquatrance 1000s Skimmer Pump which new is 64.99. But with my luck they our currently out of stock.
 
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