Skimmer pump stops and restarts constantly

[ColinD]

So I have a BM NAC5e skimmer, replaced the stock pump with the 'Rock (SP2000) pump' last year, ran great for a couple months and then started to constantly turn off and restart (seemed like every 10 minutes or so). Ran very hot as well, pump housing eventually started to crack and leak so I pulled the skimmer and ran skimmerless for a few months. Decided last month to order another pump and start up the skimmer again, guess what? Its doing the exact same thing, am I doing something wrong? Skimmer runs longer between turning off and restarting 90 minutes or so. Is it possible I got another bad pump?

There's no siphon break or anything like that, skims great when its running.

Colin

[The Guy]

Originally Posted by ColinD

So I have a BM NAC5e skimmer, replaced the stock pump with the 'Rock (SP2000) pump' last year, ran great for a couple months and then started to constantly turn off and restart (seemed like every 10 minutes or so). Ran very hot as well, pump housing eventually started to crack and leak so I pulled the skimmer and ran skimmerless for a few months. Decided last month to order another pump and start up the skimmer again, guess what? Its doing the exact same thing, am I doing something wrong? Skimmer runs longer between turning off and restarting 90 minutes or so. Is it possible I got another bad pump?

There's no siphon break or anything like that, skims great when its running.

Colin

Did you change out the pinwheel impeller as well, if not it may the problem or you possibly just got a another bad motor, but unlikely.

[ColinD]

Originally Posted by The Guy

Did you change out the pinwheel impeller as well, if not it may the problem or you possibly just got a another bad motor, but unlikely.

New pump came with a new impeller, might put the old one in just to see.

Colin

[eli@fijireefrock.com]

If the problem is happening after couple of month running...very possible calcium deposit on the inside of the pump...take the pump to a bucked of water and vinegar run it for 15 minutes then wash and try

[matt_C]

Maybe you have stray current in the tank. Maybe a grounding probe.

Only thing we can do its make suggestions.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by matt@concept

Maybe a grounding probe

Of course, before adding a probe one should check for stray voltage with a multimeter as adding a probe without knowing what's going on can be very dangerous, and possibly harmful or deadly to both yourself and your critters
If you do have stray voltage, adding a grounding probe will give it a path to ground. This is not good unless you have a GFCI

With a multimeter set to 120VAC, put the red (positive) probe in the tank water and the black (negative) probe into the d-shaped socket in any outlet

If you do find current in your tank, unplug one piece of hardware at a time until you find the culprit

Any current above a couple volts should be investigated, but sometimes you can get a reading just from lights above water creating a 'field' (for lack of the proper term)

[ColinD]

Originally Posted by eli@fijireefrock.com

If the problem is happening after couple of month running...very possible calcium deposit on the inside of the pump...take the pump to a bucked of water and vinegar run it for 15 minutes then wash and try

I've only been running the skimmer since last Tuesday (after I got back from vacation) Prior to leaving on vacation I ran it in a bucket of water with vinegar to clean any impurities from it.

Curious Matt, how would stray voltage effect the pump, it is external or am I missing something? I have noticed a few corals not doing so well the last few days, zoas not opening and some STN in a few acros. Only other thing I've done to the tank recently is switched out a Maxi jet powerhead for a korillia that I had sitting around

Colin

[matt_C]

Water connects voltages.

Do you get shocked at all when you stick your hand in the water?

Had a hang on the back skimmer that had the same problem.
Put a grounding probe on and went away.

Turns out to be an old korillia pump i had.