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Issue with skimmer

KathyC

KathyC

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Location
Barnum Island
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I have an SWC 160 skimmer and it stopped pumping.
The pump does come on, but the impeller assembly doesn't really spin, it's herky-j erky so I will assume the shaft is broken. I did open up the pump but don't really see an issue with it and nothing is stuck in there.
Although I have read there can also be some air-lock issue..how would I know the difference?
Is it worth it to just replace the impeller (also assuming it's the original pump), or should I change out the entire pump?
Thanks :)
 
Last edited:
Arnaldo24

Arnaldo24

Semper Fi
Manhattan Reefs
Location
11563
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I have the same problem. Replace the impeller and nothing. The only thing that works is to pull the skimmer out of the water for a few second till all the water goes out and as soon as it pulls air starts working. I put it back in place and works perfect. I have to do it every time i turn it off. But performance is not affected. I had the swc180 b4 i knew the trick and i sold it for dirt cheap after i found out i pm the guy n it worked for him too. Give it a try
 
KathyC

KathyC

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Barnum Island
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I had taken out the pump off of the skimmer and run it in a bucket and it wasn't pushing water.
I didn't bother to hook up the air tube since it wasn't pushing water.


(can't get the quotes to work...)"Kathy an airlock would not sound bad. It would sound as if the pump was operating fine just not pump any water"
The pump sounds fine, and sounds like it is running, but not pumping any water.




I looked at the impeller again just now and see that the 'neck' of the mesh wheel piece is broken and came out in 2 pieces. When you stick the broken piece back in, you can't even see that it is broken as it fits so perfectly, so clearly my issue is the impeller.


When Googling about these yesterday, I see that FishStreet sells them..does anyone know if that's the quickest way to get a replacement impeller?


I'm assuming the pump is the Atman2500 although there are no markings on it (I even removed it from the base to look under it).


I also have another question about these impellers..are they supposed to come apart? The 2 little black endcaps, the shaft, the mesh-wheel, thingy and the magnetic portion..just wondering.
 
pecan2phat

pecan2phat

Professional Commuter
Manhattan Reefs
Location
Wallingford, CT
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The black caps on the end of the shaft should be the bushings. Fish-Street is probably the easiest place to get them, Atman pumps are a PIA to source. Maybe a small snail got into the inlet and cracked the impeller. This happened to one of my Eheim skimmer pumps on my Deltec and it cost $175 to replace that dang impeller.
You should probably order a spare since they are difficult to get.
 
KathyC

KathyC

Moderator
Location
Barnum Island
Rating - 100%
200   0   0
pecan2phat said:
The black caps on the end of the shaft should be the bushings. Fish-Street is probably the easiest place to get them, Atman pumps are a PIA to source. Maybe a small snail got into the inlet and cracked the impeller. This happened to one of my Eheim skimmer pumps on my Deltec and it cost $175 to replace that dang impeller.
You should probably order a spare since they are difficult to get.
Click to expand...


Yes bushings, but should the rest of the impeller come apart easily?
I sent Fish Street an email. It looks like he has the Atman pumps but there isn't even a price listed for that impeller, though it is on his site :( Might have to get a whole new pump. :sigh: We'll see when he replies.
 
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