We have a small 5 year old pondless waterfall, and after manually pulling out string algae from the brook-type waterfall, we recently dosed the waterfall with Eco-Blast. About 4 days after the cleaning, the 3500 gpm Aquascape Designs, horizontal-type submersible pump overloaded and tripped a circuit breaker. When I checked in the snorkel, the water inside was loaded with dead algae "fluff" from the algae that was killed by the Eco-Blast, apparently from everywhere in the system: the waterfall, the cobble-filled 6x6x1.5 ft. pondless reservoir, and the waterfall reservoir. It was only 8 oz of Eco-Blast, but it sure did a number on the algae (and maybe the pump). I tried re-setting the breaker and re-starting the pump, but it only ran a few minutes before tripping the breaker again.
I really don't know yet what is causing the pump to overload, and it could be either dead algae or some kind of vegetation roots that broke loose, but maybe it's just worn out after 5 years. We recently pulled out some bog plants in three 15 gal. submerged pots (Juncus inflexus and Baumea rubiginosa - both rushes), leaving the pots in the reservoir, so it's possible that their roots are getting into the caterpillar vents.
Before I pull the pump out this weekend, I would appreciate any knowledgeable insights about whether you think that vegetation could be binding up the pump. Do I need to clean the water, or should a good pump pass the dead algae fluff right through? Has anyone in this forum had vegetation clog up a pump to the point that it overloads? Can anyone with pump experience tell me if the pump is likely to be in need of replacement at this age, anyhow? Any recommendations for an economical replacement pump, if it comes to that? Any opinions about magnetic-drive submersible pumps? Our waterfall head is only about 4 ft. high.
I really don't know yet what is causing the pump to overload, and it could be either dead algae or some kind of vegetation roots that broke loose, but maybe it's just worn out after 5 years. We recently pulled out some bog plants in three 15 gal. submerged pots (Juncus inflexus and Baumea rubiginosa - both rushes), leaving the pots in the reservoir, so it's possible that their roots are getting into the caterpillar vents.
Before I pull the pump out this weekend, I would appreciate any knowledgeable insights about whether you think that vegetation could be binding up the pump. Do I need to clean the water, or should a good pump pass the dead algae fluff right through? Has anyone in this forum had vegetation clog up a pump to the point that it overloads? Can anyone with pump experience tell me if the pump is likely to be in need of replacement at this age, anyhow? Any recommendations for an economical replacement pump, if it comes to that? Any opinions about magnetic-drive submersible pumps? Our waterfall head is only about 4 ft. high.