Pond Pump Problems

[polyeric]

Hello All,

I've posted before and was given some great advice so I'm hoping this board can help me again!

I can't seem to get my pump system started/working again.

Pump Info:
Pump is outside of the pond and is a MagnaTek 1/4 HP. It pulls water from a top skimmer and a 3' bottom drain. The pond is 16' by 9' and about 6' deep.

Here is what "happened":

• Pump was working fine and water was flowing through the filters & into the waterfall
• I turned off the pump to clean the pump basket
• I filled the pump baseket up w/water like i typically do, screwed back on the top, and turned back on the pump
• The water in the basket is sucked out but then the system doesn't seem to pull any more water from the pond. The pump seems to be working/spinning but nothing is coming out.

Does anybody have any guess of what is happening? Any chance i can fix it?

I live in the Willow Glen area of San Jose. Does anybody live near by that can recommend a person that could fix the pond if necessary?

Thanks
Eric

 

[DrCase]

Did the seal come off when you cleaned the leaf basket ?
It sounds like your sucking air from some were

 

[polyeric]

Thanks DrCase,

i took a look and it looks like my leaf basket that is right before the pump doesn't have a separate seal/gasket. I put the lid on it and turn the lid as far as possible which makes an air tight seal. I attempted to cover all seals outside with some soap, filled the basket w/water, put the cover on and reran the system. I do not see any air bubbles coming up and i don't hear any air escaping....

There may be a small air leak but nothing i'm seeing.... Any other ideas?

-Eric

 

[DoDad]

Are you sure there is no rubber "O" ring on the lid or basket?
When filled and sealed tight the pump pulls and creates a vacuum effect.
Another thing how much pipe is above the waterline. If there is a lot it would pull air before the water can get to the basket. You should put a swing check valve before the pump, then water would not drain back to the pond.

 

[polyeric]

You guys are awesome!

First off apoligies to DrCase. While I never noticed the gasket before and I looked around the pump to see if it fell off before I posted that there was no gasket... I should of looked harder.. I went back again after DoDad posted and found there definately was an O ring and it had fallen behind the pump..

I have replaced the O ring and got everything working again!

I still need to find somebody in San Jose and show me how to properly maintain the water & vortex filters! If anybody knows of a good pond person in the San Jose, CA area please let me know!

Thanks again for your help!

-Eric

 

[DrCase]

:lol: We new it was there some were...

 

[DoDad]

stop in to champion koi and Tom can answer your questions.