Pump Failing?

[RMS18]

I have sicce slient 5.0 that is about 3 years old. Recently over the past week it has not been holding a constant gph. It fluctuates from 585gph to 567gph. Because of this my bean overflow isn't consistent and will gurgle then over flow a bit and back and fourth. I took the pump out the other day thinking it needs a cleaning but it was fine.

Thinks it's starting to go? I'm not expecting a solid gph but I've never had issues with it changing so much my overflow becomes un-tuned.

 

[theMeat]

Do an overnight vinegar bath

 

[Snoopy 67]

NO do not do that. Vinegar has been shown to deteriorate the epoxy that maker the pumps submersible.
Citric acid powder is now the choice to clean pumps.
Vinegar can be used but for no more than 10 minutes.

 

[theMeat]

Have been using vinegar on my pumps about once a year with no issues. One of my ehiems is over 30 years old

but if citrus acid works I shall give it a try

 

[ca1ore]

Hard to see why cleaning would solve fluctuating pumping levels, particularly if the insides are observably clear. Are you seeing any recent voltage fluctuations? That seems to affect the gph of my main pump. It fluctuates 10-15 gph over the course of the day.

I would expect to get much longer than 3 years out of a sicce pump.

 

[theMeat]

Hard to see why cleaning would solve fluctuating pumping levels, particularly if the insides are observably clear. Are you seeing any recent voltage fluctuations? That seems to affect the gph of my main pump. It fluctuates 10-15 gph over the course of the day.

I would expect to get much longer than 3 years out of a sicce pump.

True. Although cleaning is a good thing to do , wouldn’t hurt and at least then you could rule that out.
Agreed, should get more than 3 years

 

[RMS18]

Hard to see why cleaning would solve fluctuating pumping levels, particularly if the insides are observably clear. Are you seeing any recent voltage fluctuations? That seems to affect the gph of my main pump. It fluctuates 10-15 gph over the course of the day.

I would expect to get much longer than 3 years out of a sicce pump.

Voltage looks even... Take a look.

 

[RMS18]

I took out the propeller there is no calcium build up... There was the smallest amount of slime on a few of the props. I did clean it all under water and a cleaning brush. I even cleaned my Neptune gph meter, that was also very clean. - guess this is props to my good husbandry