Eheim 1262 cleaning and return hose

[reef tank 2.0]

I have an Eheim 1262 return pump that has recently started humming. I have had it running for over a year now. It is currently sitting on a rubber pad, and has been since day one. I checked to see if maybe it came off, nope. I checked to see if maybe it was touching the side of the sump, nope.

My next thought is maybe it needs a cleaning.
How do I go about cleaning this? From what I hear, it's pretty hard to take a part. Other than removing the front cage, and the return nozzle, what else needs to be removed to clean this? I do not have the blue filter sponge in place, so that isn't an option.

cleaning advise?

second, I have a clear tube that goes from the return pump, straight up to the pvc return line that feeds the DT. Were talking maybe 4" of clear tubing, maybe an inch or so in diameter. I would like a hose/connection that can attach to the return pump with threads or an easy on/off connection. Right now, it just slides over the pump nozzle that is held on by a zip tie, or I should say, WAS. It has since slipped off. In order to remove this hose from the pump/DT line, it will take some wiggling, and that makes me very nervous, due to the fact that I start wiggling all the connections, all the way up to the bulkhead in the tank. I don't want leaks . So a easy on/off connection is preferred.

I will post a picture of the return pump set up tonight.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Clear tubing can be a %^*# to get off, IMHO it is easier to replace by cutting it off by slicing downward in a few places.

 

[blowmecius]

Very easy to disassemble. After you take off the cage, you will see a round cover over the impeller. Unscrew it and remove it. Pull out the impeller and inspect shaft for wear. Be careful they are ceramic. I usually just run the pump in a 5 gallon bucket of water/vinegar for a couple hours, then disassemble it and thoroughly clean the parts and inside the impeller housing. I have had mine for probably 15 years still going strong.

As far as installation, I use about a foot of vinyl hose between a hose barb on the pump and a hose barb connected to regular pvc with a 45 degree elbow (or 2, I forget). Put in a union for easy removal. You are right about cracking a blukhead while trying to remove the hose. Ask me how I know...

Oh I also use stainless hose clamps on the hose/barb connection.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

How long can the DT run without the return pump before it becomes an issue?

Since I have an additional pump on reserve, I could hook that up, clean this one and put it away as a "used" back up. that way the tank doesn't miss a beat.

 

[blowmecius]

I Powerheads will give sufficient gas exchange. You could certainly leave it off for a few hours. Temperature would be the only isuue and depending on the size of your tank that could be a long time. You could also put a heater in the tank but it really doesn't take that long to clean. If its vibrating, you might need a new impeller shaft so check that for grooves worn in it, or could just need a good cleaning. I typically do it once a year.

A back up is never a bad idea!

PS when I said unscrew the cover before, its really only like a quarter turn if that, then it pulls straight out.

 

[blowmecius]

Powerheads will give sufficient gas exchange. You could certainly leave it off for a few hours. Temperature would be the only isuue and with a 130 gallon tank that will be a long time. You could also put a heater in the tank but it really doesn't take that long to clean. If its vibrating, you might need a new impeller shaft so check that for grooves worn in it, or could just need a good cleaning. I typically do it once a year.

A back up is never a bad idea!

PS when I said unscrew the cover before, its really only like a quarter turn if that, then it pulls straight out.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

OK, I think I'll put the new pump in it's place and let that run. That way I can focus on the existing one.

Will there be obvious signs to look for on the impeller shaft? Not sure how noticeable things like this are. Is it obvious?

 

[reef tank 2.0]

on a side note, does anyone use the same pump in the sump? Can you post a picture of your connection to the return line? I'd like to see how others do it. Like I said, I will post a picture tonight of mine.

 

[ktownhero]

on a side note, does anyone use the same pump in the sump? Can you post a picture of your connection to the return line? I'd like to see how others do it. Like I said, I will post a picture tonight of mine.

I ordered some silicone tubing from BRS and it was very much worth it. Dramatically more flexible than vinyl and it made the pump even quieter than it already was! Here's a pic of what I do:

 

[reef tank 2.0]

silicon tubing, hmmmmmmmmmm
I bought some tubing from my local home depot, not sure if it's silicon or not. I'm going with not. It's very stiff. I definitely like the silicon idea.............

thanks for the share

 

[ktownhero]

silicon tubing, hmmmmmmmmmm
I bought some tubing from my local home depot, not sure if it's silicon or not. I'm going with not. It's very stiff. I definitely like the silicon idea.............

thanks for the share

That's not silicone, that's the typical, vinyl stuff we all use; it's a real PITA. The silicone tubing is night and day better, though it's harder to find a little pricier.

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/white-soft-silicone-tubing-sold-by-the-foot.html

I promise you nobody ever regrets buying that stuff

EDIT: That is 2' of it in my picture.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

well, in my case, I have less than a foot to run tubing, maybe 6".
for the ease of use, it may be well worth it.

When I ran my plumbing, I tried to make as little turns/bends as possible. My line from the pump to the return line is a straight shot. No bend in it what so ever. The run is one tube with no room for movement.

I'd love to move the pump to the right some more, and have more tubing connecting it to the return line with a swooping arc. not sure if I have enough room for that vertically. I'll have to check that tonight.

 

[ktownhero]

well, in my case, I have less than a foot to run tubing, maybe 6".
for the ease of use, it may be well worth it.

When I ran my plumbing, I tried to make as little turns/bends as possible. My line from the pump to the return line is a straight shot. No bend in it what so ever. The run is one tube with no room for movement.

I'd love to move the pump to the right some more, and have more tubing connecting it to the return line with a swooping arc. not sure if I have enough room for that vertically. I'll have to check that tonight.

Yeah, the shorter your run the easier that silicone stuff will make your life. That vinyl stuff is so stuff it can really torque your pump, that always drove me crazy.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[reef tank 2.0]

Here are a couple pictures of my sump. As you can see, not much room to work with vertically. But if I can move the pump to the right, by using the BRS tubing, I may do that. the length of the tube in the picture is 7"

IMG_20170313_201422 by Shawn D, on Flickr

2017-03-13_11-11-32 by Shawn D, on Flickr