how to remove impeller

[Viggen]

I was looking at my ER skimmer attempting to redirect the returns on the 2 pumps & I noticed 1 of the pumps was not working close to what the other one is so I removed the pump & attempted to remove the impeller & the dam thing will not come out. 

Any thoughts on how to remove the impeller?

[slandis3]

Try soaking it in vinegar for a while. that may help if it has alot of calcium on it.

[aquavista99]

You need to carefully remove the impeller and magnet assembly using pliers. Pull assembly straight out from the pump cavity so as not to break ceramic shaft using needle nose pliers.

If you would like to see pictures on how to do this, go to the euro-reef website, which provides step by step instructions (and other useful info on how to maintain your skimmer, etc).



http://www.euro-reef.com/Pump_Service_Photo_rama/index.htm

[verper]

Ah heck, it's broken.  Might as well just give the whole thing to me and treat yourself to a new one. 


Good info Tim.

[Viggen]

It's yours Scott!  Great idea  

Seriously though, I will check out their site.  Usually the impellers just pop right out but this dam thing is crammed in there.  Not sure if calcium would be my problem because it's a FO tank.  Should I still soak it?  Do I just go get any normal vinegar?   Dam, going to stink up the house

Earlier today I removed the shaft that goes inside the impeller & unfortunately I cannot get the dam thing all the way back in.

[REDPYRO]

have to be aligned perfect to fit into the seals to get it back in.  often higher end pumps impellers are harder to remove because they are made to fit much better than cheapo pumps

[slandis3]

I used plane vinegar. once my pump came unstuck, i ran it in the vinegar fopr a while then ran it in ro/di water.

[verper]

White vinegar works well.

[aquavista99]

White vinegar works well.

I use white distilled vinegar as well to remove excess calcium deposits on pumps and other  equipment but it doesn't sound like calcium is the source of Viggen's problem (IE, he is not adding calcium supplements to his fish only aquarium). Once the impeller/magnet assembly is stuck, the only way to remove it is with needle nose pliers. 

[ohioreef]

I can not get my Seio impellors out by hand, the magnet is too strong. I just use a pair of pliers to pull them out.

[Viggen]

I just removed it with pliers, I was worried to do so because I didn't want to damage the impeller.  It came out very easily, it's just being a PITA to get running.   Now I turn the pump on & I have to bang on the dam thing to get it to work.  Plus the magnet has some gouges in it, not sure if that is causing the problems. 

I am debating on finding a replacement non ER impeller & making a meshwheel for the pumps, suppose to perform better that way anyways

[ohioreef]

If the magnent has dings in it it sounds like it is hitting something. Maybe there is too much free play.