I can'gt get my pump back together!

[Mr_Cool]

I took my return pump apart to clean it, but now I can't get it back together. It's a Quite One 3000. I took off the piece that kind of twists and locks in place. This exposes the impeller. I pulled the impeller out to clean it, as well as the ceramic shaft. I also tried to clean the inside of the housing (where the impeller is seated) because it looked like there were some calcium deposits in there. When I tried to put it back, I just can't get the first piece to push down enough to lock it in place.

I don't want to break the shaft, and I just can't push that piece down hard enought to get the tabs under the ridge where it will lock in place. Is there a trick to this, or what?

(I know I've used some prety technical terms, but please help if you can.)

I'll be fine overnight with a couple of power heads in there, right? I just won't have water flowing through the sump.

[ou812pezz]

I have a quite one 4000 that might be similar. There is a small piece that fits on one end of the shaft that seats in the base of the prop housing. Put it in place. Slide the prop onto shaft. Put the end centering piece on the end of the shaft and replace the cover. Twisting the cover on is a PITA. Hope that helps.

[Mr_Cool]

Well, I think I've done that. Of course, you said it better than me. PITA isn't quite harsh enough, though. SOB is maybe a little more accurate.

Thanks anyway.

[Mr_Cool]

I kind of got it. I had to keep the one little piece that sits in the base out, though. But, now it won't run. It's always been a bit tempermental, though. I've tried it plenty of times to no avail.

Anyone have an extra pump they'd like to get rid of? I'd like to have about 750 GPH @ 5 ft of head. I know that's more than a Quiet One 3000 puts out, but I need to increase my flow rate anyway. I'd prefer to use an external (in-line) pump. (Doesn't this type help with less heat transfer than the submersible?) And, of course, I can't really spend alot right now. I think a Mag 9.5 would do the trick.

As of last night, I've only had a couple of power heads circulating the water. How much longer can I go with the tank like this?

[cpreefguy]

I would get your return back up and running ASAP.
Give Louis @ AW a call, he can get the pump for you at a good price and he usually will have it, or will get it the next day.

[Richard]

Never used a quiet one pump but any chance some calcium deposit is keeping it from seating all the way? You could just soak the whole thing in vinegar or muratic acid solution to make sure.

[JeremyGlen]

I had that problem with mine before and I had accidentally left the bottom piece of rubber in there and the shaft wasn't sitting right. There shouldn't be anything that would be preventing it from turning since it only goes together one way.

[ou812pezz]

If the end piece is not seated in the hole in the base then the magnet will stick to the side and not spin. I've had that happen before then I realized I forgot to put the end piece back on. It worked fine after.

[Mr_Cool]

I'm a little confused. I broke down and bought a new Mag 9.5. But, when I got home, I realized that it has 3/4 inch inlets and outlets. Of course, the old pump had 1 inch and I don't have the fittings right now to make it work. But, here's the confusion...

The paper that came with the pump says, "1 1/2" inside diameter is the minimum size hose that should be used for maximum flow." Unless these is a difference between the flow rates in PVC pipe and PVC hose, I don't get it. And, if they want you to use 1 1/2' I.D., why don't they have the same size inlets and outlets? Am I missing something?

Also, is it better to hard plumb the return line or use a flex hose? I know that the flow rate is reduced with each elbow, but the hard PVC just seems so much more durable. Any thoughts here? Unless I hear otherwise, I'm going to get the correct size fittings tomorrow, and connect it using the flex hose. It'll just be a lot easier that way.

Thanks for all the help!

[Bill S]

Their reason for recommending the larger diameter is to minimize the loss on els, etc. That being said, 1-1/2" is overkill - that's 4x the volume of 3/4". You WILL find that using flex hose is a little quieter. Unlike the PVD, it absorbs some of the noise.

[Mr_Cool]

Oh, good. Thanks Bill. Can I just use 1" I.D. then?

[hobogato]

yep, 1" will be fine - that is what i use for my mag12 and mag18 return pumps.

[Mr_Cool]

I go it up and running with the new Mag 9.5. Thanks for all the help, guys!

[matt]

I'll be selling a pan world 50 PXX, which has 1" I/O and a solid 750+ at 5ft head. I'm going to do this once my nanostreams and smaller return pump come in a couple of weeks. It's only a few months old and in perfect shape.