Precision Marine redline pump rattling!!!

[lowfi]

Hi everyone,

I'm in need of some major help. I recently got a PM RL175 skimmer for my 90g tank and when I plug it in it rattles like crazy. Sounds like the impeller is bouncing back and forth between the sidewalls of the pump. It's terrible. This skimmer is known to be quite quiet, I'm just not having any luck with it right now. When I turn the pump on in the water and put my finger on the impeller shaft to keep it seated back in the pump, the rattling stops and the pump produces a ton of flow. Also, when the airline is removed and the pump is only sucking in water it is much quieter.

So far I've tried these fixes...

1)soaked in freshwater over night
2)checked pump housing for CaCO3 deposits/detritus
3)the impeller shaft is not broken
4)adding pieces of plastic to keep the impeller seated better in the pump (not too tight to not allow the impeller to rotate and not so loose that it rattles...still doesnt work)

Any help would be amazing, I'm getting very frustrated with this. I would hate to have to buy a brand new $100 pump.

Thanks in advance,

Sean

 

[Brian DeGolier]

I had a RL-125 and had problems with the pump. I called Precision Marine directly we discussed the issue, what I had tried, and they sent a new pump. Their customer service is great and even followed up with me a few days later to make sure I had recieved th epump and if the pump is working okay.

 

[lowfi]

Goodnight bump! Anyone else with some insight? I could really use the help. I contacted PM tonight, waiting for a response. Thanks!