Return Pump Broke

arvin · Nov 20, 2009

Hi all,

I am using a return pump Gen-X pcx-70 pump as my return pump. It appears to be broken - not pushing water. When I switch on it runs for a minute or so and then the water falls back.

What are my options? How soon should I replace this pump? What should I do in the meantime?

Thank you for your help.

Arvind.

ricwilli · Nov 20, 2009

The first thing I would do is move my heaters to the main tank if they are in the sump. Try to keep the temp stable and than I would start looking for another pump to buy.

arvin · Nov 20, 2009

thanks for the quick response. I will do it right away.

I will have to travel starting this Sunday and wont be back until a week after that. Should I try to replace the pump by tomorrow or is there any way I can postpone this for a week from now and make some temporary arrangement? Not sure what that is.

The pump I use is a Gen-x 70x which is rated for 1500 gph. Should I try to replace it with exact same pump or a comparable one will be good enough?

ricwilli · Nov 20, 2009

The biggest question that comes up if you don't fix it is, whats going to happen with the rest of the water in your sump and all of the other tanks that you have? I would just buy another pump. If you can't find one soon, I think I have a mag 18 that you can borrow. I have to double check tonight. I love the reeflo pumps.

shipwrecked · Nov 20, 2009

Im not familiar with the pump you have but maybe its a bad imp have you tried taking it apart? I have a few mag pumps hangin around(if we're close enough) we could work something out to keep you up and running for the moment.What size tank do you have? cause I also have a pump(external) that was used for a 55 gal Im not using.

arvin · Nov 20, 2009

thanks shipwrecked. I have a 180g and the sump is in the basement.

I think I will look for a pump and get this fixed right away.

shipwrecked · Nov 20, 2009

I agree with Ric best to get you up and going asap..gd luck lemme know if I can help- ie knowledge,sump space,or whatever

Mbodell · Nov 20, 2009

the hidden reef is doing their blowout sale tomorrow. They are cheap on pumps and you get 20%, so it may be worth standing in line for.

arvin · Nov 20, 2009

Mbodell said:
the hidden reef is doing their blowout sale tomorrow. They are cheap on pumps and you get 20%, so it may be worth standing in line for.

Thats good to know. I will be there tomorrow.

My question is will I be able to hang in until tomorrow. What do I have to do now in the meantime to keep the animals safe and sound. I have placed the heater in the display tank. There are three powerheads (koralia 3, 4 & 5) running. There is also a closed loop running. Is this good enough to last until tomorrow night?

I have the sump and fuge in the basement. I am thinking of hooking up those two so that water keeps circulating between those two for now.

What else do I have to do?

Mbodell · Nov 20, 2009

It sounds like you should be fine. The closed loop and koralia's should keep you going. I got my pump for my tank last year at their sale.

arvin · Nov 21, 2009

I called several stores looking for this pump. No one carried it locally. Will from Aquatic Obsessions was willing to let me borrow one of his pumps temporarily until I get the pump that I am looking for. Nice of him. Unfortunately the pump he had was a 3/4 that wont fit my current setup. I decided to get it from hidden reef and be done with it.

So I went to Hidden Reef and bought a Iwaki 70 rlt to replace the gen-x that went broke. Got the pump in place. It is leaking only in three places! I am going to rip it apart and redo the plumbing tomorrow.

Thank you all those who responded. I appreciate it.