6020 just stopped running

[Reefvet]

A 6020 I purchased last August and have run for the last 3 months just stopped. I assume it's under warranty.

How do I get it replaced ?

I bought it from M.Depot here in So. Cal..

 

[rvitko]

Have you tried just opening it and removing the drive unit (prop assembly), the most probable is just some debris caught inside, I have never had one fail and the basic motor/ drive unit is the same as the 6015 Nano Stream which I have also never had one fail, but they will seize with just a bit of sand inside.

 

[Reefvet]

Have you tried just opening it and removing the drive unit (prop assembly), the most probable is just some debris caught inside, I have never had one fail and the basic motor/ drive unit is the same as the 6015 Nano Stream which I have also never had one fail, but they will seize with just a bit of sand inside.

It was running in a bare bottom tank with no fish and just anemones so I doubt that's it but I'll give it a try.

 

[rvitko]

It does have a 2 year warranty and we will take care of it, I just would be very surprised if it was more than just jammed or a broken impeller.

 

[Reefvet]

You were right. I pulled the impeller, cleaned the magnet and inside the pump. Plugged it in and it's running.

I'm really surprised. Whatever made it stop must have been tiny.

I won't rely on that pump when I'm not going to be home to check it every day.

 

[rvitko]

I would just check it every few months, the issue is the pump is 3.5W, it is the equivalent of an old beetle, the motor is low HP and it doesn't take much of a hill to stop it. They also become less prone to this as they wear in. Calcium build up and bits of sediment and sand are the main things that cause this, but they are generally reliable as long as they are maintained, given the description of the set up, my guess would be some bit of regurgitated food is the cause.

 

[Reefvet]

I would just check it every few months, the issue is the pump is 3.5W, it is the equivalent of an old beetle, the motor is low HP and it doesn't take much of a hill to stop it. They also become less prone to this as they wear in. Calcium build up and bits of sediment and sand are the main things that cause this, but they are generally reliable as long as they are maintained, given the description of the set up, my guess would be some bit of regurgitated food is the cause.

That sounds reasonable. I owned a very early beetle so I can relate.

Thank you !