Protein skimmer pump startup problem survey.

[ToolmanRR]

I'm reading through the various protein skimmer "clubs" here on RC and I see that the pumps on some internal skimmers have problems starting/restarting when power is applied to them. To fix this problem, people will have to blow into the air tube, or tap the pump, or whatever it takes to get it started.

I'm trying to select an "internal" skimmer (not a HOB) and I want to know what skimmers do not have this problem. I know that putting mesh wheel mods can sometimes inflict this condition but I see that regular pin/needle wheels are prone to it too.

I have a 120ish gallom system (75 DT + sump/fuge)

WHAT WORKS OUT THERE?

[damonbrodie]

Tagging along on this. My Mag 7 pumps (of which one is attached to an AquaC ev180 skimmer) routinely fail to restart after a power outage.

I've had this problem from time to time, and I usually replace the impeller, and that works at least for some time.

[AugustWest]

I had a Mag 7 that failed quite often also. I have had excellent luck with the Sedra Needlewheel pump I'm using on my current Skimmer. Restarts everytime.

[scottwhitson]

My Euroreef with the SEDRA pump doesn't want to start sometimes and I have to put my finger over the intake and then it fires right up.

[ToolmanRR]

You put your finger over the air intake or the water intake?

[ToolmanRR]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14324114#post14324114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AugustWest
I had a Mag 7 that failed quite often also. I have had excellent luck with the Sedra Needlewheel pump I'm using on my current Skimmer. Restarts everytime.


Which skimmer are you using and is that the stock pump? Any mods?

[besl]

Euroreef skimmer - starts first time everytime - uses an un-modified pin wheel Sedra pump - it has been running for 3 years.

[ToolmanRR]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14324257#post14324257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by besl
Euroreef skimmer - starts first time everytime - uses an un-modified pin wheel Sedra pump - it has been running for 3 years.

Which model?

"""Why did kamakazi pilots wear helmets?""" Now THAT'S funny!

[trmiv]

Never had the Aquabee pump on my DAS fail to start.

[Gdevine]

My Mag 9.5 starts every time. I some times have to blow air into the skimmer's air intake tube to clear any water that may have blocked passage...

[scottwhitson]

On my Euroreef I put my finger over the water intake.

[atoa]

My Sedra had the same problem. With time, it became more difficult to start it. It turned out to be a slightly swollen impeller magnet. I replaced the impeller and it fixed the problem.

-- Oliver

[mat167]

I've seen it happen on a few Euroreefs, the Sedra's seem to be bad for that... Luckily mine has only done it once or twice.

[Hop]

The issue your reading about most commonly is when the pumps are modified to give more SCFM, not the pumps themselves. People are trying to push the skimmer pumps to their max and somtimes are not able to get the mesh balanced perfectly or it is too big to begin with. This is where the issue is to make people completely clear on why there are start up issues.

The other issue, although less common is the skimmers being ran in too deep of water;)

[MileHighFish]

I guess I have been lucky my sedra starts each time, Im knocking on wood right now b/c I know Murphy's Law is coming my way!

[MileHighFish]

I should mention the pump has not had a mod done to it.

[Icefire]

my Vertex 250 with a resun always restart but my OR return pump is a pain.

I moded the impeller by adding a nylon washer, working so far

[Anemonebuff]

My Sedra runs all the time, but the pump that came with my Berlin turbo never started on it's own, even the two replacements had the same problem.

[ToolmanRR]

Do you know the name (& model #) of the pumps that came on the Berlin turbo?
Thanks.

[rynon]

Sedra sucks. I have to blow in the freaking tube every time, never fails, I'm on my third pump. Whatever you do, don't buy a EuroReef skimmer with a Sedra (POS) pump. No my water is not too deep either.