Maxijet suddenly stopped working - suggestions?

[The Escaped Ape]

I use a Maxijet 600 to mix water, just lowered into an Instant Ocean bucket. I recently lent the bucket, together with some RO water to a friend who's just moved and didn't have any way of making up water. When he returned it earlier this week, I filled up the bucket and went to make up some water for a water change, but when I plugged the Maxijet in it was completely dead. It doesn't even show any sign of starting. The only thing that changed is that the pump dried out while the bucket was with a friend (but was unplugged, so didn't run dry).

I tried taking it apart and cleaning the impeller etc, but this doesn't seem to have done any good. I'll try soaking it in vinegar as well, but I'm not sure this will do any good, given that I've already cleaned the impeller etc. The pump itself is only a few months old.

Does anyone have any idea why this might have happened or how I might get it working again?

 

[The Escaped Ape]

No suggestions? I guess maybe it's simply a faulty unit.

 

[Porcupinepuffer]

If thoroughly cleaning it doesn't get it working. I'd replace the impeller. By saying how it's not that old, and it's doing absolutely nothing, I'm 90% sure that's your problem.

 

[arresife]

soak it in vinegar

 

[The Escaped Ape]

Thanks guys. I'll try the vinegar approach first and if that doesn't work, buy a new impeller. I might end up buying a new powerhead anyway, as I'm not that far from using up the salt in the other IO bucket I have and will move to a two bucket water change regime at that stage, so will need a new powerhead for mixing then anyway.

Thanks again.

 

[EdMan71]

Maxijets are usually very durable. Luckly they are inexpensive.

 

[Chris27]

Just get another one, nothing wrong with having a box full of pumps and parts, they come in handy, especially for the parts.

 

[The Escaped Ape]

Thanks. I was planning to get another anyway, but it kind of sucks to have to replace something so soon after buying it (also they cost more to buy in Japan - this was one I added to a big order from the States when I first set up the tank).

 

[andresp]

The best thing to do is to soak it in 50 vinegar and 50 water mix. Leave it in overnight and then scrub it with like a toothbrush to remove all calcium build-up.

 

[The Escaped Ape]

Thanks andresp. I tried that last night and no luck (I was doubtful that calcium build-up was the problem, given the short period I'd had it, but thought I'd give it a go anyway).

 

[shawnz28]

Has the plastic fins half of the impeller come unglued from the magnet?

 

[The Escaped Ape]

No, they were fine as well, but thanks for the idea. I went and bought a replacement on Sunday, as I really need to do a water change. It's been two weeks now!

 

[shawnz28]

no problem. It just came to mind as I have had customers with similar problems and not realize it game unglued.

 

[The Escaped Ape]

BTW, the Maxijet I bought here came with a thick cable, like Maxijets in the US used to. From what I've read having done a search on here, those are a bit more reliable. Let's hope so!

 

[Mitchell]

Tom, sounds like a faulty motor. If the impeller and magnet look like they are in good shape, you should check an see if the side walls of the impeller housing are smooth. If foreign material got in there and ground the smooth walls, it could prevent the impeller from spinning. If all looks normal, the motor is to blame.

Time for a new pump.

 

[The Escaped Ape]

Thanks Mitchell. I think you're probably right. There was no sign of the sort of damage you mention when I took it apart so I suspect it was the motor. I went ahead and bought a new pump!