I had a bit of an excursion today. I noticed that the tank Temp was 78, that's the set point but it typically runs at 77. I didn't really pay much attention. Later I was looking at the tank and realized the Duncan wasn't really moving with the water flow as it typically does. Checked the return pump discharge nozzles and the flow was almost non existent. I bought a replacement Sicce pump a couple months ago so I swapped out the pumps. BTW the actual temp in the display was down to 72 when I finally got some flow going. The old pump was encrusted with something not sure what it is. Has anyone else had a similar experience and should I be prepared to take the pump out every couple of months to clean it?
Evo 13.5, Stock Return Pump
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HuduVudu
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Calcium carbonate incrusting stuff is usually the culprit. If the pump is in the display then algaes will do a number on pumps. I usually pull my pumps regularly and bleach then vinegar them. The vinegar works good to get the encrusting stuff off. If the vinegar isn't enough I will muratic acid them. This works good to keep things running as intended.
ssster2020
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Thanks for the info, funny I was going to put in the Sicce a while ago, just to increase the flow but didn't want to upset things. Now I know and will put the pump cleaning on the routine maintenance list I put together. Everything is good now looks like no worse for the upset.
ssster2020
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I think I figured out what happened. Like everything else for me it took a while, lol. I think I plugged the pump suction because I was manually dosing KH into the return pump section. I think I read that it was a good place for it. I have since poured the KH buffer into the display at a powerhead, very slowly. The result has been a noticeable decrease in the precipitation at the pump.
So a lesson learned by me!
So a lesson learned by me!
HuduVudu
2500 Club Member
Dosers are a great investment for tasks like these. I use mine all the time to dose things that adding in directly might cause issues. I set at a very low drip rate and then walk away.
ssster2020
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Actually that's how I figured it out, I am looking for a dosing pump now. I find manually is inconvenient as to when to dose. Sometimes I forget until late in the day and I have surmised that it would be better to dose KH for example early in the AM. Also the very small requirements in my little tank make it difficult to accurately make the additions.
I am going to be away for a week and its fine for me to get someone to feed the tank but a bit much to expect someone to go through the dosing regime.
I am using the Red Sea program, it is doing the trick for me with the exception that the salt I am using is Aquaforest and has a lower Alkalinity than I am aiming for so there is an alkalinity drop with every water change. But so far it seems manageable.
I am going to be away for a week and its fine for me to get someone to feed the tank but a bit much to expect someone to go through the dosing regime.
I am using the Red Sea program, it is doing the trick for me with the exception that the salt I am using is Aquaforest and has a lower Alkalinity than I am aiming for so there is an alkalinity drop with every water change. But so far it seems manageable.
