Return pump dead?

[Reefrookie733]

How do I tell if my return pump is working or not. I bought it from a guy getting out few years back and now I’m about ready to install it. What should it sound like when I turn it on? It’s a reef lo pump!
Thanks

 

[Phil D.]

I would test it in a bucket before installing it, you will see the water flowing better that way.

 

[Ucyibd1]

Try to never run a pump dry. Always pump water when possible, that will verify seals are good also.

 

[35ppt]

I'm not familiar with this specific pump but have lots of experience with the Little Giant external pumps. You should take it apart and clean it before powering it on, make sure the impeller is freely moving. If it has any oil holes drop a couple drops of 3 in 1 in and manually rotate the motor. You can power it up dry for like one second to see it works before installing it but if you can run it wet that's obviously preferred.

 

[Reefrookie733]

So I could fill up one of my 55G containers and pump the water from it to another 55G container?

 

[Ucyibd1]

So I could fill up one of my 55G containers and pump the water from it to another 55G container?

Just pump out/in to the same drum.

 

[35ppt]

So I could fill up one of my 55G containers and pump the water from it to another 55G container?

I would fill the tube with water and see if the pump blows the water out the other end. lol But before that I would disassemble the pump and clean it.

 

[Reefrookie733]

I would fill the tube with water and see if the pump blows the water out the other end. lol But before that I would disassemble the pump and clean it.

lol...well lets pretend that i actually have no idea which end pumps the water and which end returns it on this model. Its an older model and i cant find any literature on it. Maybe this hobby isnt for me after all.

I tried filling both ends of the pipe up with water but nothing happens

 

[Reefrookie733]

It REALLY shouldn't be this hard???

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

On the back of that pump is a flathead screw that turns the impeller, try to spin it, that will at least tell you if the impeller is bound up. Really not be able to tell unless you hook it up though. Reeflos are notorius for leaking seals so I would check that too.

 

[35ppt]

lol...well lets pretend that i actually have no idea which end pumps the water and which end returns it on this model. Its an older model and i cant find any literature on it. Maybe this hobby isnt for me after all.

I tried filling both ends of the pipe up with water but nothing happens

Did you take it apart and clean it? did you look for oil holes and oil them then manually rotate the motor? An old motor that was not cleaned before storage can sometimes not want to start. The outlet is vertical and the inlet is horizontal.

 

[35ppt]

On the back of that pump is a flathead screw that turns the impeller, try to spin it, that will at least tell you if the impeller is bound up. Really not be able to tell unless you hook it up though. Reeflos are notorius for leaking seals so I would check that too.

Do these pumps have oil holes like the Little Giants? Or am I telling him to look for something that's not there?

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Do these pumps have oil holes like the Little Giants? Or am I telling him to look for something that's not there?

No these are direct driven pumps, no oil holes that I am aware of.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

You can take the impeller housing off to check it as well, this was my Reeflo swordtail

 

[Reefrookie733]

Thanks for the info guys. This old man is having a tough time with this project! lol

Is there a good video on how to take the reeflo apart? I am not very mechanically inclined!

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Thanks for the info guys. This old man is having a tough time with this project! lol

Is there a good video on how to take the reeflo apart? I am not very mechanically inclined!

No worries, this link below is instructions on how to replace the seal but also shows how to disassemble.

http://users.neo.myregisteredsite.com/0/1/3/11915310/assets/Seal_instructions.doc

 

[Reefrookie733]

Ok well it has life! I still need to take it apart and clean it but it seems to be running pretty well. I can only test it with the water hose flow. There was a small gasket that appear to come off while i was cleaning the impeller with some silicone wd40. I am assuming i need to replace this? Attached pics

 

[Reefrookie733]

No worries, this link below is instructions on how to replace the seal but also shows how to disassemble.

http://users.neo.myregisteredsite.com/0/1/3/11915310/assets/Seal_instructions.doc

Thanks man!!!