Prime Pump?

[jlehigh]

Hey Team

Well I could use some help... I recently plumbed the return for my new tank. The pump is far below the sump water level and I heard water rush into it. I also loosened the union above the pump to ensure water was above it too.

So I turned on the pump I am not getting any flow through it. I placed my hand in front of the input to feel for suction and there was none. The pump is running quietly and begins warming up, however I killed the power after about 1.5 min affraid to burn something up..

Is there any additional action I should be taking to prime the pump? It is a Lil Giant 3-MDQX-SC.

Any help is APPRECIATED!!!

 

[zeltar]

Silly question, but is there a ball/gate valve closed?

 

[wrassehole]

have you plugged it into the little slits on the wall?

 

[jlehigh]

Should I put the thingy on the jigger???

Gee thanks guys....

No closed valves and hmmm you mean I don't blow on that pronged metal thing... shoot..

Well I took the pump apart and everything looks clean and good however the motor doesn't seem to be turning the magnet. I injected a bunch of electric motor oil and am not sure what else to do other than start shopping TOTALLY LAME!!!!! This was the final piece to my new set-up other than hooking up the skimmer and calcium reactor. Sucks to be me.

 

[Ritsuko Nashida]

What kinda pump was it? How much "head" (be nice now...) if any is it pushing?

 

[jlehigh]

It is a Lil Giant 3-MDQX-SC rated at 1100 gph at 3' of head max of 13'. I have it set-up with 5' of head and 2 90's over and into the tank. It is not pushing any water. The motor is not turning. When the pump is switched on it vibrates and begins getting warm.

 

[Stang69]

Could the impellar be bound up? Maybe cover too tight on it?



Shrug just throwin out ideas

 

[iamjosh]

Can you put it in a bucket full of water with out anything attached just to make sure it can move water then you can figure out if its a priming issue or if its a pump problem.

Good Luck

 

[Stang69]

Did you get it goin or what John?



heheh

Jeff

 

[Witfull]

did you buy it new? then return it. im using the same pump on my CLS,,and buy it does move water around!

 

[jlehigh]

Thanks for the follow-up Jeff.

The pump is still dead after trying all suggestions, so I emailed the manufacturer for any further guidence. In the meantime I will buy a Mag12 or something. If I ever get the little giant pump running I'll use it somewhere else.

Witfull: I bought it NEW/Used from a very reliable fellow local reefer. The pump is spotless and has no excuse to not work.

 

[Witfull]

try opening it up and see if the impellor is jammed.

 

[jlehigh]

I have taken apart the pump and oiled it..

 

[Stang69]

Sometimes if a cover or something is too tight it will jam the impellar. If you have the cover off does the impellar spin?



Jeff

 

[mfinn]

The first time I plugged in my 4-MDQX-SC the same thing happened, no suction. I fiddled with everthing and nothing. For some reason I pushed water with my hand against the bulkhead fitting, in the sump, leading to the pump a couple of times. I started to feel a little suction and I could hear a different noise from the pump. So I did this a few more times and the pump kicked in full force.

 

[jlehigh]

The impeller is not stuck and spins freely and I have loosened the cover. Thanks Jeff.

Finn: I will try anything at this point. Thanks

One final ditch effort tonight before the hammer

 

[mfinn]

Basically, I just paddled water against the opening to the pump while it's plugged in. Kind of force primeing it.

 

[Witfull]

one more thing,,,with the cover off..see if it will kick in...plug it in and. with a pen give the impellor a spin.