HELP: Return Pump Impeller Donezo

[Bmore88]

He all,
Yesterday my return pump started making a grinding noise. Then I saw 2 pieces of plastic (which turned out to be the impeller,) shoot into the tank. Tomorrow I am going to go to the LFS and try to find a replacement part.

Until then I moved the heater into the DT and still have the powerhead running. Is there anything I can do in the mean time? How long will it be ok like this? What if the replacement part needs to be delivered? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Pump is a sicce syncra 5.0. I am really worried I can only find the entire impeller (not just the plastic part on the end.) The entire impeller is like $75. There has to be something cheaper, no?

 

[billdogg]

The impeller blades are fused to the magnet. It is only sold as a unit.

 

[Bmore88]

So let me get this strait..every time this plastic piece breaks I have to spend $75 on replacing the entire apparatus??

I knew this hobby was expensive but jeez. That just doesn't seam right.

 

[Mark9]

When you replace, you may want to buy a backup as well.

 

[mcgyvr]

So let me get this strait..every time this plastic piece breaks I have to spend $75 on replacing the entire apparatus??

I knew this hobby was expensive but jeez. That just doesn't seam right.

aww.. thats cute... welcome to the world..

ever work on cars... "oh the PCV valve needs to be replaced... What do you mean its only sold with the whole valve cover and costs $200+?.. thanks chevy "


That being said.. I've had NUMEROUS pumps over the years and only had 1 broken impeller.. stuff happens.. They shouldn't break often if at all.. But stuff happens..

 

[Bmore88]

haha truer words were never spoken about cars!

Yea some lessons you learn the hard way. Now I am curious how it broke to begin with.

Anyway, My tank should be ok with the power heads and heater right?

 

[mcgyvr]

Anyway, My tank should be ok with the power heads and heater right?

yes.. no one needs a sump/return pump

 

[Bmore88]

Spoke with the LFS today. They said this happens sometimes and that if I contact Sicce directly they should send me out something. They also said Sicce refuses to let them stock these replacement parts.

Hopefully I wont need to pay $75 for the replacement.

...it would be nice if a company stood by its product.

 

[ssick92]

As mentioned, s*it happens. They shouldn't break often, unless it is something that you are doing to cause it (doubt it). Try talking to Sicce and see if they can help if it is under any sort of warranty.

Or change pumps, up to you.

 

[billdogg]

I'm curious as to how it broke also. I've been using multiple impeller style pumps for almost 30 years and have never broken the blades on one. I did find out the hard way that muriatic acid and epoxy coated magnets don't play well together however!!!

 

[rocsec1]

Interned in how they respond. I use the 3 and is great but I would upset to have spend almost half of what the pump costs to repair.

 

[Sk8r]

I have an external not-submerged Iwaki pump (ca. 2350 gph) that has a 'cast' metal impeller that can never break. Cost ca. 300.00 but after several impeller replacements, it might be worth it under some circumstances. I've also never had a mag drive impeller break---but they're noisy. I have the Iwaki in the basement: it's dreadfully noisy.

 

[Bmore88]

I am not certain how it could have broken because it is in the sump. And I run filter socks, so no snails could have made it down there.

LFS said they have seen it from time to time and it could have been anything.

Sicce Responeded and told me to go here to purchase a replacement..
http://www.aquariumconnection.com/

I thought it was strange for them to send me to another site.

I asked them about the warranty and will let everyone know what they say.

 

[mcgyvr]

Sicce Responeded and told me to go here to purchase a replacement..
http://www.aquariumconnection.com/

I thought it was strange for them to send me to another site.

Thats just one of their distributors (dealers).. They, like many companies, only sell through distribution..

Did you purchase the pump through one of their dealers? (if not you have no warranty anyways..)
http://www.sicceusdealers.com/find_a_dealer.php

Here is the information on how to utilize their warranty program..
http://www.sicceusdealers.com/warranty/intro.php

 

[Bmore88]

So I bought mine through Amazon.com

I have a claim filed now. They just requested a picture of the damage, serial number and receipt.

Hopefully when they see the receipt from Amazon they will still honor their product. It was from an Amazon Storefront.

 

[mcgyvr]

We shall see..
They have the right to say your warranty is void..

We will honor warranty requests only if you purchased the product directly from us or from one of our authorized dealers located within the United States. If you purchase a product from someone other than an authorized dealer your warranty is void.

 

[Potatohead]

Just out of curiosity, how old is it?

 

[Bmore88]

Yup. When I get home I will take the pics and send them.

I bought it in June, but didn't get the tank plumbed, up and running till about 2 months ago.

So its only maybe 2 months old.