Stupid damn Ampmaster 3000 not working pls help

[Toomnymods]

I came home today to a virtually totally still 90 gallon reeftank right now only flow I have is maybe 250-300gph coming from the sump where the skimmer is. My closed loop is out of commision atm, and have a LOT of sps that will probably die cause of this!!:mad2: :mad2: The Ampmaster 3000 i just barely a year old and is super hot to the touch, but isnt humming or even sounding like it is trying to start..
I unplugged it for now any ideas?
thanks

 

[xtrstangx]

Unplug it, disconnect it (hopefully you used double union ball valves on the pump).. Then open up the impeller casing and clean it out. Try pulling out the impeller (if possible) and clean it with a toothbrush. If there is any big buildup, wipe it down with vinegar on a paper towel and then scrub it with a toothbrush.

Hopefully it is just seizing on calcium buildup which is easily cleaned.

 

[Toomnymods]

I can onlu hope it will be this easy I do have a calcium reactor so this might be the problem.. will let you know in 20 mins

 

[xtrstangx]

You may have a problem with your pump as well... but from what it sounds like, the impeller cannot move.

Do you have powerheads that you use for mixing salt? Stick that in your tank for temporary circulation. Also, you can use an air pump with an airstone in the tank to keep the water oxygenated for the fish.

Good luck, I'll be waiting to hear how it goes.

 

[Toomnymods]

Well the closest ball valves are like a ft above the pump, so I'm going to have like 3 gallons of water on my floor in a minute, but i cant remember how thse unions on the pump it self went on do they screw on or do i loosen the screws, it's been a yr since i messed with it dont remember..

 

[Toomnymods]

Got it apart and didnt spill too much water on carpet, hehe had like 6 huge towels surrounding the pump.. Well took it apart and some stupid snail fragments where jamming it took it out, and talk about the nastiest smell known to man.. I could jar this up and use it as a chemical/biological weapon,lol Well after cleaning the pump is working again.. anyone know how to fully take the impeller out of this thing? I want to really clean all the goop out from behind it good, but dont see any way to put it out like regular pumps.. any ideas?

 

[cerreta]

not sure on that. It has been awhile since I cleaned mine too. I am upgrading my 80 to a 110tall and will use teh Ampmaster 3k as a CL pump. I am looking for ideas. Do you have any pics of your CL? Is yours drilled or an overhang design?

 

[Toomnymods]

mine is drilled thru the back excactly 12" from the floor, I have a 4-5" southdown sandbed also. Have the CL returns coming back into the tank from 3 diffrent areas.. 1) via a 1" seaswirl in right corner doing a 85% full sweep of the tank.. 2) two returns thru the rockwork of my reeftank to get good flow thru the middle portions of the tank, 3) and lastly have 2 roboloc lines /w splitter difuser over the rim of the tank on the corners to really get the flow moving in the top portion of the tank..
If you plan on doing bigger than a 90 i'd go with a 3200-3600 ampmaster only a few bucks more and will be better suited for a larger tank..