Cleaning out an external pump? (iwaki)

[rz1a]

how is it done? im in the testing phase of getting the sump with baffles running and just added some chaeto, but im having tiny pieces of it break off and getting sucked up by the return. i had to remove some of the extra flow from where the chaeto was to stop it from moving around

[rz1a]

also, if im going to use a phosphate reactor do i still need macroalgae?

[captexas]

Use some egg crate and filter floss to cover the pumps intake from your sump to prevent stuff from being sucked in, like making a screen for it. You will have to keep an eye on it and clean the filter floss occassionally, but it will protect your pump.

As far as cleaning the Iwaki pump, there are screws (6?) that hold the impeller housing to the pump body. You can remove the screws and take the housing apart to clean it and the impeller. When you put it back together again, just be careful that the rubber seal/gasket sits in the groove correctly before tightening the screws all the way down. If you pinch it, it could leak.

[rz1a]

thanks for the help. ill go ahead and try to get some filter floss as well. i put egg crate to block the ball from coming out of the sump, but i still have small bits that get through.

one last thing, my refugium is a very small section in the 20 high because most of it is being used by my skimmer, is it okay if the light covers the whole length of the sump?

[erikharrison]

one last thing, my refugium is a very small section in the 20 high because most of it is being used by my skimmer, is it okay if the light covers the whole length of the sump?

That should be fine, as long as it doesn't get too hot. I have a sticky thermometer on my sump as well as my display. There is sometimes a variance, but not often. If you have some swim trunks with that annoying mesh inside, you can cut some of that and rubberband it around the intake. It works like a charm for me.