Rena SP2 pumping bubbles

[cbwmn]

Good morning

I woke up this morning and my SP was spitting bubbles out.
The hose connections don't seem to be leaking.
I unplugged the unit and opened it up. Filled with water as far as I could
and started it up again. Still pumps bubbles.
There is not any water leaks outside the tank.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Also, what can I use to lubricate the o-rings? I was thinking about margarine.

Thank you
Charles

 

[cbwmn]

Sorry - I meant to say XP2 not SP2.
Charles

 

[Ruadh]

Is the pump silent or making a grinding noise?

 

[cbwmn]

It kinda has a spitting noise.
I took off the inlet hose at the quick disconnect (pump side) and lubed it with a small
bit of vasaline then shoved the hose further down on the pipe. REclamped and it seems to have stopped the noise. I guess it was sucking air.
Thank you
Charles

 

[Ruadh]

The reason I ask is that I have two Rena's on my tank and when I first got them hooked up they made one heck of a noise and were pumping air. I took the top off and found the pump housing had 'backed off' till it wasn't connecting right. I put it back together properly and the noise stopped. Several days later, same crap. I pulled it apart again and drove a screw into the side of the pump housing to stop it coming apart and haven't heard from it since.

 

[cbwmn]

Ru
Thank you
If it happens again, I'll check the housing.
Charles

 

[cbwmn]

Ruadh
The housing had seperated from the lid?
Where was the air coming from?
Mine is really getting bad now.
I emailed the factory, but they won't see it until Monday.
I just replace the plastic clamps on the intake hose with SS clamps.
It still is pumping air.
You would think if there was a leak that water would be pumped out.

Thank you
Charles

 

[Ruadh]

Ruadh
The housing had seperated from the lid?
Where was the air coming from?
Mine is really getting bad now.
I emailed the factory, but they won't see it until Monday.
I just replace the plastic clamps on the intake hose with SS clamps.
It still is pumping air.
You would think if there was a leak that water would be pumped out.

Thank you
Charles

Yes, if you pull the top off and flip it over, ( now get a towel and wipe up the water) you will see a circular piece in the middle of the cover. This is the pump/impeller and you can give it a quarter turn counter-clockwise to remove it for cleaning. With mine, I found that the impeller cover would rotate and release itself and allow the water to cavitate and thus pump air and make a heck of a noise.

Maybe later today when I do my water change I'll take the lid off and take a pic of what I'm talkin about here.

 

[Ruadh]

I just found this link as well.

Filstar-Rena-FAQ

 

[cbwmn]

Ruadh
Thank you a lot.
I'll read and try to fix it.
Charles

 

[cbwmn]

Ruadh
Thank you very much.
I just pulled the impeller out of it's housing and cleaned everything.
I think it's OK now.

Charles

 

[cbwmn]

Nah - It just started spitting air again.
I think I may need a new impeller assy.
Charles

 

[Ruadh]

Did you check all your gaskets?

 

[cbwmn]

Ruadh
I just opened it up again.
I can only see two gaskets, one rectangular shaped around the perimeter of the canister and one about 4" diameter around the impeller assy.
While messing with the 4" one, it started to come out. Is it supposed to be O-ring shaped or one piece of soft foam rubber inserted into the groove?
If it's suposed to be an O-ring, that may be my problem.
I'll call API in the morning and ask.
Thanks again for all of your help.
Charles

 

[cbwmn]

Ruadh
I went to an aut parts store and bought some o-rings for the quik-disconnect. That slowed the "burping air" somewhat.
Tomorrow I may go get some that are the same diameter but a little fatter.

Do you think I could use vinyl tubing to replace the hoses?
I don't want to harm the fish.
Thank again
Charles

 

[Ruadh]

Vinyl tube is fine. That's what I've been using.

You problem is sure a persistant one.
How old is your filter?

I'm not sure what to say now. This is, of course up to you, but when I put mine together the last time, I used a little bit of lipsil smeared around the seal. Lipsil is just real thick petrolium jelly and as such you need to make sure none gets inside the filter. I just got the gasket "wet" and all was fine.
This type of thing might seal the case.

 

[cbwmn]

Ru
The filter is 8 mos old.
I'm gonna call API today.
They're going to try & sell me hoses, impellers, etc.
May need the ompeller tho;
Thank you
Charles

 

[cbwmn]

Hey all
After conversing with Ruad several times, I decided to change the hoses.
I went to HD, bought the correct size of vinyl tubing, and replaced the hoses. I used petroleum jelly to lube the ends of the hose.
It worked. No more spitting air.
Spitting air wasn't harmful to the fish, but it was irritating.
I still don't know where the air leak was. The old hoses looked fine to me.
Thanks again Ruad

Charles

 

[Ruadh]

You're most welcome, but it's Ruadh, not Ruad.
Pronounced Roo-ah. Scottish Gaelic

 

[cbwmn]

Ruadh

Sorry, I had another "SENIOR MOMENT".
Hoses were switched.
I've 4 degenerated vertebrae in my back. And it affects everything.
Have trouble walking, thinking, talking, etc.
I'm going to an Ortopedist Monday.

Charles