Need help with Mini 160 pump

[lancesmith1]

Hi - i am having an issue with the pump on a mini 160. The skimmer was purchased in July 2017 but was just recently put into service due to sump space issues. The pump has a loud hum, similar to a barbers clipper and I have the stand pipe completely closed and the water level is only about 2 to 3 inches above the bubble plate. I bought it from Aquarium Specialty. I called Scott G there and he told me I would need to go directly to RE. Scott at AS also told me that RE would ask me to disassemble the pump and inspect the shaft/bearing etc. I did that and took pictures. Everything looks fine too me. It looks like new. He gave me Scott L's phone number which I called. The was a VM announcement that referenced being closed for the holidays and directed the caller to contact RE via email. I sent an email in thru RE's website yesterday and have not received a reply. Can anyone tell me how I can get some help?

 

[ReefClownMIA]

You’ve posted in the right place - Scott has been out of the office this morning, he should be returning shortly though.

You can also reach us on FB; especially if you have pictures to post:
https://facebook.com/groups/844772218979484

Couple of questions that we’ll need to know:
What is the water height, is it in the recommended range? If not, please raise it to that.
If you say a loud hum, is the Pump pulling air, or Cavitating?
Is it moving water?

 

[slief]

How long have you had the skimmer running? The hum you hear is likely due to the tight tolerances between the pump and the skimmer body and is what I refer to as resonance. I had that same skimmer in one of my systems so know what you are hearing first hand.

First thing you would want to do is loosen the 4 screws slightly that hold the base with the motor to the skimmer body. Having them too tight will increase the resonance resonance. Take note of how easily or difficult it is to get the nozzle through the skimmer body into the front of the pump. You want the screws adjusted such that the nozzle goes in and out as easily as possible. The hole the nozzle goes through is intentionally tight but if the base screws are too tight, then it pulls the pump downwards and will increase noise due to additional force between the nozzle and the body. If the screws are too lose, the same will happen as the pump will sit higher and the nozzle will have more force against the upper arc of the nozzle hole in the skimmer body. Also, after a week or so, the skimmer will quite down further but because of the tight tolerances on this skimmer, the Mini 160’s are not dead silent like our other skimmers with the pumps outside the body but getting the screws adjust right is key to quieting the skimmer down.

What is the depth of the water in the sump compartment? When you took the pump apart, did you remove and clean the bearing? That’s important because stuff will build up inside the bearing orifice and create friction on the end of the impeller shaft where it goes into the bearing. Check out post 2 of this thread to see how to remove and install the bearing. It’s an often overlooked point of maintenance which is a very important part of routing maintence.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2573406

 

[slief]

Lance,
I sent you a PM. I guess I need to update my voicemail at the office. LOL..

 

[lancesmith1]

thanks. i sent an email with pictures and answer to both of you guys questions.