Pump not restarting?

[Reef Pilot]

What causes pumps to not restart properly? I have a Sedra KSP-20000 (2000 gph) return pump that is about 1.5 years old. It has run flawlessly until recently. I shut it down for water changes and noticed the last few times that it would chatter a bit before starting up. Then yesterday it would not start up at all, even with repeated unplugging. I removed the outlet hose, and was able to rotate the impeller a bit. I reinstalled the hose, and it started up again (was very happy about that).

But now I am concerned. It runs a lot of my stuff (with T's) including pushing water up a level to my main floor tank. If it quit working, or failed to restart after a power outage, I would really be hooped.

Does it need cleaning? Has the impeller magnet swelled (happened to a Koralia I had)? Worn impeller parts? I haven't taken it apart yet, but may do so after the next water change.

[monocus]

could possibly be an air lock,but it's always nice to have spare parts for emergencys

[jr999]

Take the pump apart and check for debris or build up. The chatter could be from the bushings being worn and the impeller bouncing around until the pump gets up to full speed. Every few months place the pump in a pail with a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar and let it run a few hours.

Keep a spare impeller for back up.

[Bblinks]

Walter, I think all it needs is a good clean bud.

[dino]

also I think sometimes the magnet swells from heat and has a hard time starting

[Reef Pilot]

Next time I shut it down, will plan to do a full cleaning. I think I will do it when I combine my tanks into one sump. Then I will have a spare pump, in case something goes wrong with it. Hope it just needs a cleaning. 1.5 years old doesn't seem all that long though, considering I have some others that have been running much longer with no maintenance.

It sure is a great pump though, with its head capability, pumping volume, and quiet.