Skimmer pump stops and restarts constantly

[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)

[FishyFishy!]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

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)

+1 however if you can put your hand in the tank with no issues, not likely stray voltage.

I had a skimmer pump that would turn off and on. I narrowed it down to the pump after it kept randomly overflowing after a few days of perfect skimming. One day i was looking at the sump I heard a rattling noise, then silence.I put my hand under both pump inlets, and sure enough one wasnt running. After replacing the bad pump, it was perfect. Pump happened to be a sicce PSK2500. I would replace the pump.

[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.

[ColinD]

Originally Posted by matt@concept

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.

Hmmm, Do you guys have grounding probes in stock?

[Dearth]

Could be completely off base here but could it possibly have anything to do with water depth could be working too hard?

[intarsiabox]

Does the motor feel hot right after it shuts itself off?

[ColinD]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Does the motor feel hot right after it shuts itself off?

yup. I think its the pump.