Sedra 3500 pump not working.

[willjeff]

I have a ASM G2 skimmer, I took apart the pump to clean and now the impeller won't fit correctly. The impeller has to be forced into the pump, and won't operate now, any suggestions?

 

[jules77]

doesnt make sense in less you let it run dry and cooked the pump housing walls. Doesnt take much time running dry to kill a sedra unfortunately.

 

[SDguy]

Sedra impeller magnets will sometimes warp/expand non-uniformly. Not sure why...I think maybe if it's running with buildup on it, the heat created makes it happen. Not sure, that's my running theory

 

[Cubman777]

keep trying, maybe it is not being put back together correctly. I'm not trying to jab at you, it happens. I've done it plenty of times. THen when I figured it out I was like, "oh, Im a moron" and then my wife is like "no honey, your a superhero, have a Sam Adams." Dont really know where I was going with that.

 

[willjeff]

SDguy- I think you are right with the expanding I don't know why but it has to be forced into the pump. Looks like I will be ordering a new impeller.

Cubman- I know exactly what your talking about, I have put it together wrong more than once. Instead I have a Labatt.

 

[Cubman777]

I have the same skimmer on my 90. Also with 2 1500's. How long have you had the skimmer?

 

[willjeff]

I have had it about 2 yrs now. Overall I'm very happy with it, other than this last problem but things happen.

 

[shag26272]

I had that happen to me on a sedra 3500 a year ago, I took it off of my ER skimmer to clean so I could sell it. I sold it and the guy called me saying the pump didnt work. I ended up buying him a new pump because the impeller was swollen or didnt fit in the pump unless you jammed it in.

 

[shag26272]

this is where I got it

http://www.saltycritter.com/pumps/sedra-pumps.htm

 

[willjeff]

Yeah I cleaned the pump with vinegar, maybe a bad idea. So I ordered a new impeller from www.addictiveaquatics.com , so I hope the new impeller will work fine.

 

[RandyStacyE]

I had the same thing happen to a GenX pump (not a needle wheel impeller). I use the GenX pump as a return pump on a tank at my parents’' house. Anyway my mom sometimes allows the return compartment to run dry (I don't have an auto top off). This will drastically reduce the life of the pump.

If you're luck to catch the problem soon enough you might be alright. Definitely do not try to use the impeller if you have to force it in. This will only create friction as the impeller spins within the pump.

An impeller that is 'on its way out' looks swelled around the center of the magnet. I have my old expired GenX pump in the garage and I can not remove the impeller ... it's lodged in there tighter than a tick

 

[RandyStacyE]

Nice avatar willjeff! I haven't seen Skeletor in ... decades

 

[shag26272]

so do you think my pump will be ok If I just replace the impeller?

 

[willjeff]

Thanks Randy. My impeller is definetely swollen in the center.

Shag, I would try replacing the Impeller if I were you. I ordered mine for $40 with 3 day shipping.