skimmer stopped working!!!!

[kyla bidwell]

Sea clone 100 Turbo-Venturi Injector System with Maxi Jet 1200 pump

It just stopped working! It dosent come on. No sound, no bubbles. Just dosent do anything at all. I am a woman who knows next to NOTHING about mechanics! How can I troubleshoot and fix this? ANY help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance as always!

 

[JOKER]

I would say the pump died.

 

[ATB USA]

Take the pump and clean it to see if something has clogged it, or it could just be dirty and not want to start.

 

[vic5hands]

When you touch the pump do you feel vibration? Check the inlet make sure it is not blocked. I know this is silly but is it plugged in

 

[kyla bidwell]

I would say the pump died.

Do you know if I can replace the maxi jet pump with any pump? Or does it have to be a maxi jet? I have a few pumps laying around that I could try if it dosent HAVE to be a maxi jet.

 

[kyla bidwell]

Take the pump and clean it to see if something has clogged it, or it could just be dirty and not want to start.

Ill try cleaning it. Its not old at all. I got it new amd only used it for about 5 months. And only at night time (bc the micro bubbles). So it makes sense that its just clogged/dirty because it really shouldn't be burnt out yet.

 

[kyla bidwell]

When you touch the pump do you feel vibration? Check the inlet make sure it is not blocked. I know this is silly but is it plugged in

No vibration at all. When i say nothing I mean NOTHING is happening with it. Its like its not even plugged in (but yes its plugged in. Thats not silly at all. It happens lol!)

 

[ReefMadScientist]

Either a small snail wedged the pump shut or it fried out.

 

[kyla bidwell]

Either a small snail wedged the pump shut or it fried out.

I have had a dime sized bumblebee snail disappear recently! I thought it was just under rocks or something but usually it goes to the glass at least once or twice a day and I haven't seen it. Im about to clean it and ill see.

 

[JOKER]

I had one for a short time and had trouble with the micro bubbles also. I put a piece of filter media over the exit and stopped them. My pump didn't last very long.

 

[twilliard]

Take the pump out and open it up.
Check to make sure the magnet hasn't split.
Clean it up good and try to restart it.

 

[ATB USA]

Do you know if I can replace the maxi jet pump with any pump? Or does it have to be a maxi jet? I have a few pumps laying around that I could try if it dosent HAVE to be a maxi jet.

You will need a pump the same size that also has a air intake like the maxijet.

 

[kyla bidwell]

I had one for a short time and had trouble with the micro bubbles also. I put a piece of filter media over the exit and stopped them. My pump didn't last very long.

Ok if I get it running again ill try putting a filter sponge or something over the exit. I guess the maxi jets arent that good huh? Hopefully I can make a better pump work on it. I need to get another skimmer anyway, but in the meantime, I need this one to work. Otherwise my sps are going to be ticked at me! :-(

 

[kyla bidwell]

You will need a pump the same size that also has a air intake like the maxijet.

Ok ill have to look and see what I have. Im hoping cleaning it really good will help. If I needa new pump.....does anyone have any suggestions for a pump that is better and will last longer than a maxi jet? Ill be sure to match the gph and air intake. But what brand is best or better than maxi jet? Since maxi burnt out after 5 months at 8 hours a day, I dont want to get another one.

 

[ATB USA]

Reliable small pumps are hard to find.

 

[ATB USA]

If you take the impeller out and hold it next to the pump while the pump is plugged in:
1 - Impeller moves or vibrates - Pump is good. Replace the impeller
2 - No movement or vibration - Pump is dead. Keep impeller as a replacement for later use and buy a new pump.

Maxijets do have a warranty, but I have never done a claim on them. I just keep a new one on the shelf, they are cheep.