Starting 90g Reef Tank Build... Finally!!!

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12979295#post12979295 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
Sound like the mesh mod Scott. Open the pumps up and take a picture of it.

Sometimes they cut them too large, and they need to be trimmed a little.
Click to expand...

Thats what I thought, that maybe the mesh mods were too big to rotate but then I wondered how that would stop the air intake.
 
When they are too large, the impeller is unable to spin and cannot draw any air into the pump.

On my skimmer, when this would happen (before I trimmed my nesh a little) I could actually see the air pulsing through the clear tubing trying to purge down through the pump.

This is where you hear of people having to blow in the air line to get the pump to start.

My pump never "didn't start" but initially it would take up to 30 seconds to start sometimes. I trimmed back the mesh a little, and it kicks on immediately now every time.
 
Agreed with Tswifty about the meshmod.... The Sicce pumps are excellent pumps, but can be a little fussy starting.... until they are broken in.... If it is easily reached, try starting the pump off of the skimmer (out of water) then attach it.... There are other meshmodded pump tricks you can also try... blow in the end of the air inlet tube... turn the motor housing back and forth a little...

Otherwise, you may have to trim the mesh a little.... make sure there isn't stray strands sticking out....
 
haha... with all the experienced reefers that have been contributing on the thread, it happens more often than you would think.

Definitely a nice problem to have.

...and at least were thinking along the same lines. :thumbsup:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12979295#post12979295 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
Sound like the mesh mod Scott. Open the pumps up and take a picture of it.

Sometimes they cut them too large, and they need to be trimmed back a little.

Also, on my 160, if the pump was not securely in the connecting hole on the skimmer body it would vibrate.
Click to expand...

I think your right---it was the impeller that broke away from the magnet that was causing the problem. I had trimmed the mesh so I just think it was weakened by however did the mesh job

We tried crazy glue gel but it wouldn't work so Harold has taken it to his shop to see if epoxy will work.

I called "the place" I dealt with --I hope it doesn't take over 2 weeks to get an impeller replacement.

In the meantime we rigged up a ball valve on the output and it looks like the one pump is holding its own. The water column is up where you suggested with the one pump--TJ

thanks everybody for chipping in again with advice ect
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12979337#post12979337 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 2farNorth
Agreed with Tswifty about the meshmod.... The Sicce pumps are excellent pumps, but can be a little fussy starting.... until they are broken in.... If it is easily reached, try starting the pump off of the skimmer (out of water) then attach it.... There are other meshmodded pump tricks you can also try... blow in the end of the air inlet tube... turn the motor housing back and forth a little...

Otherwise, you may have to trim the mesh a little.... make sure there isn't stray strands sticking out....
Click to expand...

good advice bears repeating;)
thanks 2farNorth
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12979395#post12979395 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
I think your right---it was the impeller that broke away from the magnet that was causing the problem. I had trimmed the mesh so I just think it was weakened by however did the mesh job

We tried crazy glue gel but it wouldn't work so Harold has taken it to his shop to see if epoxy will work.

I called "the place" I dealt with --I hope it doesn't take over 2 weeks to get an impeller replacement.

In the meantime we rigged up a ball valve on the output and it looks like the one pump is holding its own. The water column is up where you suggested with the one pump--TJ

thanks everybody for chipping in again with advice ect
Click to expand...
Man that stinks... Well I was reading on the MSX thread that people have been ordering and receiving their skimmers on a timely basis now that they are in stock.

So hopefully the quick service will continue.

Even if Harold is able to fix the magnet, I would still call for a replacement.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12979416#post12979416 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
Man that stinks... Well I was reading on the MSX thread that people have been ordering and receiving their skimmers on a timely basis now that they are in stock.

So hopefully the quick service will continue.

Even if Harold is able to fix the magnet, I would still call for a replacement.
Click to expand...

definetly and a spare too.

The mesh job was terrible on the pumps by the way

what's the link for the new msx thread--although I am scared to go on there with them banning luke-9000 posts---that really is upsetting to the atmosphere on RC
 
Instead of risking waiting 2 weeks for the replacement, maybe you could do your own mesh mod, Capn?
 
So I found my two part underwater epoxy and made the connection. We'll see how well or if it is going to hold together until Capn gets his replacement part. I cant remember how long the curing time is for this particular type of epoxy so I'm gonna give it a fair bit of time.
 
Scott, I would post pictures of the mods before doing anything to them to get some other opinions of what they look like and some advice on how to procede. Did they include extra mesh with your skimmer?

Here's the step by step mesh mod photos from the MSX thread (like I said though, I would post pictures of the current mod before going down this path):

Mesh1.jpg


Mesh2.jpg


Mesh3.jpg


Mesh4.jpg


Mesh5.jpg
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12979486#post12979486 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
Scott, I would post pictures of the mods before doing anything to them to get some other opinions of what they look like and some advice on how to procede. Did they include extra mesh with your skimmer?

Here's the step by step mesh mod photos from the MSX thread (like I said though, I would post pictures of the current mod before going down this path):

Mesh1.jpg


Mesh2.jpg


Mesh3.jpg


Mesh4.jpg


Mesh5.jpg
Click to expand...

thanks for the pics TJ--but I think it was whoever did the mesh mod was the person who snapped the magnet away from the shaft.
All we did was plug the pump in yesterday and it shut down over night.
That probably explains why the water column was surging yesterday
 
Scott's mods were done at the point of purchase of his skimmer. The mod was done correctly except the mesh was left more square in shape than round. All he did was trim it a touch. When they did the mesh mod it seems that they over stressed the magnet assembly at the point where the magnet ends and the wheel begins. The impeller assembly has a plastic core through the magnet with the hole in it for the ceramic shaft, once it exits the magnet it increases in size to allow the wheel to be attached. It seems the needlewheel took a fair bit of force on their part to remove before installing the meshed wheel. The wall thickness of the plastic inside the magnet is very thin leaving little surface area for strength at the transition. They gave Scott the 2 needlewheels that were removed from the assembly but they cant be re attached to the broken piece. I tried to remove the broken transition piece from the mesh mod wheel and was surprised how tight the fit was. I'm not surprised they damaged the impeller.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12980311#post12980311 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
thanks buddy couldn't have explained it better myself---not LOL
Click to expand...
My pleasure. Your impeller is still curing but it's lookin good so far.
 
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