Pump not working!

azfishgal

azfishgal

Active Member
I woke up this morning to hear a buzzing sound coming from my tank. I thought it was just one of my powerheads as they do that sometimes (I usually just unplug them, plug it back in and then usually have to give it a jump start by pushing the impellar). But this time I realized the sound was louder and it was not coming from the powerheads, it was coming from under the tank. I opened up the stand and then realized the water was not being pumped out. I unplugged the pump, waited a few minutes and plugged it back in. This time nothing, no sound, no water pumping. I don't know how long my tank (125 gal) was without water circulation, only that it happened some time after midnight. I have my two power heads still working (1200 gph and 850 gph) so I still have some water flow going.
My question is how long can my tank last without a pump? My husband won't get home until later tonight and I have no idea how to unhook the pump (Little Giant/in-line) to replace it. Of course it might just need cleaning, which I told my husband a few weeks ago we should probably turn it off and clean it. It's been running for 1 year and 4 months (unfortunatley just after the warranty ended).
Oh, and I just added another ph at 600gph.
 
aztec reef

aztec reef

Active Member
yep, you should be ok for a couple of days, as long as there is water circulation throughout the tank, and no water is standing still.. But try to get the pump working asap.
 
myzislow

myzislow

Member
Your tank will be fine but in the mean time i'd get a powerhead in the sump to keep the sump water from standing stagnant and thus fouling.
 
rebelprettyboy

rebelprettyboy

Active Member
Originally Posted by myzislow
http:///forum/post/2656669
Your tank will be fine but in the mean time i'd get a powerhead in the sump to keep the sump water from standing stagnant and thus fouling.
+1 on keeping the sump circulated! Tank should be fine with the powerheads you have in there
 
azfishgal

azfishgal

Active Member
Originally Posted by myzislow
http:///forum/post/2656669
Your tank will be fine but in the mean time i'd get a powerhead in the sump to keep the sump water from standing stagnant and thus fouling.
That is what I was thinking. Keeping my skimmer on should do the same thing, right? (going to plug it back in right now.)
 
azfishgal

azfishgal

Active Member
OK, I now have a 600gph ph in the sump so I think I'm good until we figure this thing out. I'll also take water from the sump and poor it into the tank from time to time for a "manual" circulation. I hope the pump just needs cleaning.
 
pjlovesbaskets

pjlovesbaskets

Member
If both aren't working...is it possible that the outlet or power source isn't working and the equipment is fine? Maybe you tripped a breaker or the outlet is bad. Just a thought. Weird that both went bad at the same time.
 
azfishgal

azfishgal

Active Member
Originally Posted by Pjlovesbaskets
http:///forum/post/2656773
If both aren't working...is it possible that the outlet or power source isn't working and the equipment is fine? Maybe you tripped a breaker or the outlet is bad. Just a thought. Weird that both went bad at the same time.
Actually I thought of that after the skimmer pump wouldn't start up, but I plugged them into an outlet I know is working and nothing. I think the skimmer pump just has a snail in it. I usually have to take it out every other month and dig them out but it usually doesn't stop working, just makes a rattling sound. However, since it's been off for a few hours it might have caused a snail to jam it further to where it won't come on. But thanks for the thought. (I'm hoping this is the problem with the main pump or I'm out another $200 bucks!)
 
azfishgal

azfishgal

Active Member
The pump is now up and running again!!!
Turns out it was just some calcium build up on the impellar and shaft. Soaked them in vinegar and now everything is working again. I had just enough time to feed the fish before the lights went out so everyone should sleep pretty good tonight.
 
azfishgal

azfishgal

Active Member
Originally Posted by AtrialFib22
http:///forum/post/2657840
Glad to hear everything is up and running fine again! You have a beautiful tank and it should stay that way!

Thanks. Nice to see someone else brave enough to put up with this heat!
 
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