Sedra Pump Problem...

[Anonymous]

OK, so why don't I get a second pump from ER directly, and build another skimmer for my other tank. Do you have to send back a broken pump to get a new one?

 

[ChrisRD]

AFAIK Euro-Reef will not sell you a complete pump. I believe the reasoning behind that is to prevent people from doing exactly what you're talking about doing (DIYing your own skimmer). I'm sure this is why the cost of the parts necessary to assemble a complete unit are ridiculously priced too.

In talking to one of our sponsors I learned that ASM sells the complete modified Sedra pumps intended as replacement units for their skimmers. Apparently the units are identical to the ones used on ERs. The complete pump unit from ASM is cheaper than the bare motor unit is from Euro-Reef (and less than half the price of what the sum of the ER parts would cost you to assemble a complete unit)!

Even more ridiculous - apparently, ER has been gluing the fittings on their more recent skimmer models so that people can't get the cheaper replacement pump intended for the ASMs. :roll:

BTW, I did hear back from ER customer service, but they were not very helpful since the pump is out of warranty.

And FWIW, the Ocean Runners would be a perfectly good option for a DIY needle wheel skimmer. Some of Aqua Medic's large, expensive skimmers use these pumps - they're a good quality pump IME.

 

[suasponte2/75]

I actually had the exact same problem. I fidget with in and it would come on shut off... come on. I tried to go with the least expensive route, before I had to purchase the entire pump, and just bought a new impeller since the motor seem to be humming and warming up. It worked like a charm and performed even better than before.

Len, I posted a while back that I had a hard time restarting after shut down like your problem. After I purchased a new impeller, the problem went away completely. Good fire up every time.

I also reviewed the old impeller after a few days and I was surprised to see that it had cracked (ceramic part). The metal shards started to protrude and rust was coming out. Perhaps it's an impeller issue with these Euroreefs after a few years. Just my observation.

 

[ChrisRD]

Thanks for the feedback suasponte.

Apparently http://www.h2otropicals.com/ is the place to get the replacement stuff. They seem to have everything in stock and low (relatively speaking!) prices too.