Troubleshooting Skimmer Pump (Shark 1.5)

Mirya · Jan 9, 2016

First time using a "real" skimmer. Before I just had airstone-driven skimmers. This is a bit more complicated! I'm setting up a JNS/AquaMaxx ConeS CO-1 skimmer. It runs a Shark 1.5 pump, which is really a Sicce Syncra pump with a Venturi attachment. I had assembled it the other night, placed it in saltwater, plugged it in, and made lots of bubbles. I unplugged it for the night as I wanted to be able to keep an eye on it while it ran for its first few hours in case it overflowed.

This morning I plugged it back in and nothing. I can hear a slight hum from the motor, but the impeller isn't moving. I've disassembled the pump, checked the impeller for any obstructions, didn't find anything. Reassembled pump, it still isn't blowing bubbles when plugged in.

Any advice for further troubleshooting other than contact the manufacturer?

redfishbluefish · Jan 9, 2016

A number of these pumps have thin plastic washers between the mesh wheel of the impeller and the front pump plate. (They might have one of these washers on the back side as well). Could it be you lost those when you disassembled the pump?

If so, HD does sell nylon washers in the hardware department....in those drawers. I think my pump took a 1/8 washer.

uppermost · Apr 30, 2016

Did you figure out what was wrong? Mine has done the same thing?

Mirya · May 2, 2016

I ended up disassembling the pump completely yet one more time. I made sure that the washer was present that redfishbluefish referred to. The washer was there. Then I put the back together and it decided to work! Has been fine ever since then, even with being turned off/on daily for feeding. So never figured out what was wrong, but I'm happy it is working.

Zagreus · Aug 9, 2017

I am in the same position exactly now. The pump simply will not turn on after a feeding. I have power and everything. I am hoping to find a way to get the pump running without having to disassemble.

Klat · Jan 10, 2018

I've had this skimmer a little over a year. I have to clean it every 3-4 weeks or salt creep clogs the air intake in the pump. When I restart it I have to watch to make sure it starts back up. The impeller is turning but not full speed and not strong enough to pull in air and the whole skimmer vibrates. It can do this up to a minute before it just kick in like normal. I have had to restart it before when I thought it was doing this flutter for too long. I'm running it on an Apex but not on the variable speed control so I don't think it is the soft start causing it.