Maintaining My Pump

Your pump is the heart of your pond and as such needs periodic attention in order to keep it operating safely and efficiently for many years. Below are a few tips to help you.
Direct drive pumps are the work horses of pond pumps but they can overheat which will shorten their lifespan. If your direct drive pump is an external one, be sure that you have a leaf/debris basket installed in front of the pump. This device will trap leaves and debris prior to it entering the pump. If the basket becomes clogged it will reduce the flow of water going to the pump which will cause overheating. Many direct dirve pumps have a thermal overload switch which will shut the pump off but as it cools down the pump will restart and overheat again. This constant overheating and recycling will eventually cause the switch to fail resulting in permanent damage to the pump. The same is true for submersible direct drive pumps used in a skimmer. Always check your skimmer for debris and remove it. If you have mats, pads or pump socks they need to be cleaned on a regular basis for the same reason.

The good news is that Mag Drive pumps are generally maintenance free (if there is such a thing). They tend not to overheat as long as they are submerged, and can run for years if they are kept clean. The most common problem is that debris can bypass the prefilter and cause the impeller to slow down or even stop. This is easily remedied by unplugging the pump and removing the volute and cleaning the impeller. Be careful when removing it as the ceramic shaft can be easily broken. If the shaft that the impeller resides in is not scored or damaged a replacement impeller will generally return the pump back to operating condition.
It is also a good idea to place your submerged pump on a stepping stone raising it a couple of inches from the bottom of the pond where the dirt and debris accumulates. Otherwise your pump will be pumping abrasive grit from the bottom of the pond which can wear the shaft that the impeller rides in. Once worn, the shaft will wobble causing the pump to fail. This condition is not repairable and you will need to replace your pump.
The popularity of Asynchronous Hyprid pumps is well-deserved. They are quiet, efficient and powerful and will give you many years of enjoyment. Because of their design and tight tolerances debris or scale deposits that build up can eventually cause the pump to fail by wearing off the stainless steel cladding surrounding the copper coils, or by cementing the rotor into the can because of excessive heat. Deposits around the rotor are the single greatest cause of Hybrid pump failure, however, there is a simple, effective way to avoid an early failure. You should check the pump initially after a couple of months to determine if your water is causing scale. A simple wash of white vinegar will remove it. Check again in a couple of months to see if it needs further maintenance. If so, you will know that cleaning will be necessary on regular intervals. If it is not a problem it is still a good idea to check at least twice a year in order to avoid any potential problems.