Page 21 - AFD Pond Owners Handbook

pump. Hopefully, all of the pumps a clogged skimmer net, or clogged become lodged in the impeller receptacle on the property,
you install will perform for a number skimmer filter mat that has not (housing) of the pump. This could specifically one that contains
of years without a problem. You do, been emptied or cleaned in a possibly seize up the impeller, a GFCI breaker, and see if the
however, want to be prepared for the long time. or restrict the flow causing the pump operates. This will tell us
unusual case when a relatively new The pump may be vapor locked. pump to stop operating properly. if the pond’s electrical supply
pump is experiencing problems. How This term sounds complicated, Thoroughly check the pump is bad, or if there is something
can the pump not be working? Odds but it simply means that air intake, including the area above internally wrong with the pump.
are the pump is actually fine, there is is trapped in the volute of the the impeller where small debris, If the pump trips this GFCI, then
just some troubleshooting that needs pump. The pumps are designed such as gravel, may be trapped. there is definitely something
to be done. to push water, not air … so an Plug in the pump after inspecting wrong with the pump, and it
The troubleshooting steps listed air bubble gets trapped, and the it for debris, and see if the should be replaced. However,
will help you quickly identify pump becomes vapor locked. impeller spins. you’ll want to have a qualified
and solve the problem with a In this situation the impeller is If the impeller does not spin, electrician come out and check
failed pump. basically spinning, but water is unplug the pump and try to assist the pond’s electrical setup if the
not being pushed. Listen to see if it by using a screwdriver or similar pump runs without a problem on
Proceed With the Following Actions you hear the hum of the pump. A tool to give it a little kick start. another outlet.
Until the Problem Is Found. vapor lock can be fixed by tilting On some occasions, the impeller Hopefully, through these steps,
First of all, is the pump receiving the pump to allow the air to may seize up and not spin. This you have found the source of
water? This sounds like an obvious escape from the intake. You may sometimes happens after the the problem and corrected it.
question, but we have had clients even be able to accomplish this pump has been out of operation You will most likely have to
call and state that their pump without disconnecting the fitting for a period of time (such as over replace the pump if you are still
is not working only to find that on pump. the winter). Hopefully, the pump having problems getting proper
they haven’t added water to the It is also effective to check and will then begin to operate after it performance.
pond in the past few weeks and see if the electrical supply is is plugged back in. Once it starts
the skimmer ran dry. The pump operating properly. Premature back up on its own, you’ll want Warranted Pumps
in this situation may actually be pump failures can occur due to to unplug the pump again, wait a All of Aquascape’s pumps are
running, but just not receiving faulty electrical. For example, Check the electric box to see if few seconds, and plug it back in. covered under warranty (length
enough water. A lot of times you pumps hooked up to extension the safety breaker on the ground The impeller should begin to spin of warranty depends on the pump
can actually hear the “hum” or cords may cause potential fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) without assistance this time. model). This warranty covers any
“gurgle” of the pump while it’s in problems. While this electrical has tripped. The proper electrical If you still have no luck, bring the mechanical failure within the
the skimmer. setup usually works for testing the setup for the pond should pump over to a different electrical pump that causes it to perform
FINDING PUMP PROBLEM: Make sure nothing is blocking the pump soon after the water feature include a GFCI outlet. The GFCI’s
flow of water to the pump, such is built, it is not recommended for responsibility is to shut the power
as large boulders, debris blocking permanent installations, and may down if it senses an electrical
the front of the skimmer opening, end up causing the pump to fail. problem. The GFCI is a safety
Plug pump in, and if the impeller device installed to protect people
begins spinning the lubrication will from receiving a shock in case of an
be reintroduced between the seals electrical malfunction. GFCI’s are
and the pump should start on its own. very sensitive and can sometimes
The pump can now be installed back trip during a thunderstorm or a
into the water feature. power surge. Reset the breaker if
it has tripped.
Troubleshooting Pump Problems Unplug the pump and disconnect
The pump can be called the the union fitting found at the top
“heart” of the pond. Without it, the of the check valve. The water will
relaxing, rushing sound of the water back-flush from the BIOFALLS
®
over the rocks would not exist. The back into the skimmer. This will
fish, and the filtering bacteria in help flush out any possible clogs
the BIOFALLS , also depend on the along the length of the pipe.
®
pump to provide fresh, oxygenated
Pull the pump out of the skimmer
Maintenance water. Thankfully, all of the pumps and inspect the intake on the Maintenance
pump for any lodged debris.
Aquascape carries should provide
Aquascape pumps are capable of
years of maintenance-free service in
the pond.
a reasonable size, typically 5/8”.
Regardless, sooner or later you handling solids and debris up to
will have to go out and replace the On some occasions, debris may

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