I think I need a new pump...

[bradleym]

My current return pump is a Little Giant 4-MDQ-SC. It has a max flow of about 800GPH. It came used with my 210g current setup. I have no idea how long it ran before I set it back up in august last year. I had heard that they aren't the best choice for reliabilty, but I figured it would be fine to use it til it died.

I hooked it up and it worked pretty well for a while, but I can barely run my display plus the reactors I have plumbed into it, not to mention the plans for any future upgrade. And though I am getting by ok, a few weeks back it started making a ticking noise, almost as if the impeller is clipping something every couple rotations inside the housing.

Then yesterday, I turned off the pump to do some target feeding, and when I turned it back on, nothing. It had always had to ramp up when I turned it on before, but this time it didn't make a sound. I could feel a slight vibration when I touched the housing, so I tappped it a couple times and the pump spun back into action! However, now I am seriously scared to turn it off.

At this point, I would like to get some opinions on my 2 options -

1 - Take the pump apart and clean it, then hope for the best since it could be no big deal.
2 - Suck it up and buy a used pump of a better quality and higher GPH, then keep this one as a backup for emergencies.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ocean View]

I would suck it up and use that one as a backup. It's not a matter of if the pump will fail, but when and we all know it never happens at a good time.

 

[bradleym]

That's what I kinda thought too. Any suggestions of a good, quiet inline pump?

 

[zero26]

I've never had any problems with my Blueline.

 

[slosrtnick]

I have a pump I'm not using and it's pretty new. It's a marineland 4500 utility pump. It's internal and rated at 1175gph. Pm me if you're interested.

Nick

 

[slosrtnick]

Actually, nevermind. Your current pump is more powerful than mine. Yours is 800gph at 10' head. Lol

Nick

 

[RtReef]

I would change any prefilters it has if it does. I would also take it out and clean it/ let it soak for a few hours. Mine started to slow down and not pump hard until I cleaned it. Now it's as good as new again!

 

[bradleym]

No prefilters, but I may try cleaning it.

Nick, I didn't realize it was 800 at 10 feet. Interesting.

 

[tanksfishtank]

800 gph is to little flow for a 210! I have the same tank and I have 1800 gph with a Reef Octopus water blaster 7000. It is a good amount of flow for a 210g. That being said, I would get a new pump either way. I love my water blaster, I truely can't hear it from 3 feet away!

 

[mkart]

I have a Blueline 100hd on my 210 and it works great for my basement sump. I am in your boat on the back up though. I need to order one to have on the shelf for when it fails.

 

[bradleym]

Thanks for the reviews guys! I could definitely use more flow, I agree. And quieter would be nice too, lol.

 

[jtrasap]

I'd take it apart and and make sure there's not something clogging up the impeller. If there isn't anything in there and it's having trouble starting up then I'm sure it's not running to it's full potential, probably pulling extra juice too. If nothing in the impeller could need new bearings in the motor, most likely something in the impeller though.

 

[StephNewman]

I have same pump. pretty sure it is 850 gph at 1' not 10'

 

[slosrtnick]

You're right steph. I was looking at the little giant 4 mdqx-sc, not the mdq-sc. Sorry about that. You probably need a wayyy bigger pump than the one you have for a 210g.

Nick

 

[bradleym]

Yea that's what I was thinking. Nick, too bad yours is a submersible model or it might do the trick. Not looking to plug a 2 inch hole in the acrylic if I can help it, lol.

 

[jtrasap]

Not looking to plug a 2 inch hole in the acrylic if I can help it, lol.

Just put a cap over the bulkhead...:thumbsup:

 

[u4ick]

The best reliable pump in my opinion is the blueline/panworld (same pump)
They run for years and years with no issues, their also great for applications where one is driving accessories on the same plumbing.

As far as flow goes....unless your needing your main pump as water current in the display, you don't really need alot of flow.....your sump doesn't require tons of flow, in fact some sumps, especially those with deep sand beds, often do better with less flow. Plus lower flow means quieter tank