Pump went out

[buffcole]

My reeflo DART pump went out, needs some help trying to isolate the issue. Now it's leaking, trying to find source of leak. Started making noises so I turned off pump. Then it wouldn't turn back on. It's hot so we have a fan on it. Trying to find someone in the Sandy Springs area to help me out. I'm a gir and know nothing about these things, but my husband is an engineer and knows some stuff just not about fish tanks. Its a 120 gallon fish tank.

Thanks!

Buffie Cole

Edit: My husband said that when he turns the pump on that the motor hums (electricity is getting to it) but no movement.

 

[rdnelson]

The hum indicates that you have a locked rotor. In other words, something is preventing it from turning. Could be a bearing has gone bad but I bet it is a snail stuck between the impeller and the diffuser. Take it out of the plumbing and look in side the suction end. You may see something wedged. If not, you may need to remove that end of the diffuser (housing). If it started to leak that may have been caused by something rattling around in side before it got wedged.



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[buffcole]

Thanks Rich for answering, I knew you would know. We took it out and blew water form the hose in both ends of the pipe and water came in and out fine. Then he sucked the dust from the motor. Everything all the sudden worked fine. Then in true engineer fashion (you should understand this) he decides to clean the outside of everything off and get the salt creep off. Well.....the rubber thing in the hose nozzle had fallen out the other day, so water was squirting out from the hose a little where it was screwed on. I pointed out that waster was spraying near the motor. He stops and tips it upside down and water comes out of the motor. I was horrified. I told him to just leave it out to dry in the hot sun but he is trying to take it apart and ever time he plugs it in the circuit breaker blows. He is beyond mad and not happy that he got sucked into a project today when we were supposed to be out on the lake with everyone else.

Can you tell me if just letting it sit in the hot sun for a few hours will fix it or is the motor fried. He's so frustrated at this point.

Thanks,

Buffie

 

[rdnelson]

Yes. Let it dry out well. Water won't hurt it as long as it isn't running. Getting heat on it will help to dry it so the sun is a good option. If you have a small fan that can direct warm dry air across it that will help.


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[porpoiseaquatics]

If I'm not mistaken...that pump can operate in "damp" conditions, just not "wet" conditions. So as Rich has said....let it dry out before plugging it back in. At least 24 hours. This is a good proof case for having a backup.

 

[rdnelson]

I may have a pond puns that could give some flow for a while. Let me check with the boss and see if I can head that way. I thought you were way down South but if you are in Sandy Springs that is only 30-45 minutes. Anyone else up for "let's get it done" party?


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[eric b]

My guess on the pump problem would be the seal on the pump went bad if it was making a noise before you shut it off. I think they are about $40 bucks for a new seal, but to test the motor you could always pull the pump off the motor and plug it in to see if just motor works. If it spins fine then my bet would be on the rear seal especially since you said you had a leak from the pump. You can also remove the bolts and pull the front cover off and check the impeller.......I have also sprayed salt water all over darts before while running and never had an issue but don't recommend it!

 

[buffcole]

Thanks, I didn't think of the seal. We plugged it in this morning and it worked! :yay: I'm not sure what was wrong with it in the first place. All we did was suck out the dust and put a hose through impeller; and then our big mistake was cleaning the salt creep off the outside of it getting water in the motor. THANK YOU Rich for offering to come out here and help us! :up:

 

[rdnelson]

You are very welcome and I am happy everything worked out.