Removing swelled impeller from skimmer pump

[rc1626]

Anyone ever have success doing this? Skimmer hasn’t been in action for a couple months. Just plugged it in and noticed it was not working. Took it out of the tank and disassembled only to find that the impeller was swelled in the skimmer pump. It’s a vertex 180i with a sicce pump. As I tried to get it out the shaft broke off just below the needle wheel. Any feedback appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Formulator]

Not with this particular pump, but I have seen water get into the hub and corrode the magnet causing it to split the casing open. You should be able to find a replacement. Getting the old one out just takes patience with needle nose pliers and dental pick.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Are you sure it is swelled as opposed to seized up with calcium carbonate? The latter is common, but the former is a rare design defect. If it is calcium carbonate, it may be removed with acid soaking.

 

[rc1626]

Are you sure it is swelled as opposed to seized up with calcium carbonate? The latter is common, but the former is a rare design defect. If it is calcium carbonate, it may be removed with acid soaking.

Not with this particular pump, but I have seen water get into the hub and corrode the magnet causing it to split the casing open. You should be able to find a replacement. Getting the old one out just takes patience with needle nose pliers and dental pick.

I will try soaking it in vinegar but I do believe it is swelled unfortunately. After breaking down my old tank I’m pretty sure I broke down the skimmer and pump with a good cleaning. I’m pretty sure I disassembled the pump and cleaned it up and put back together. If I can get it free it will serve as a backup as I did order a new Sicce PSK1000.

I will say that it is in there real good. Typically there is just a small amount of space between the magnet and pump bore allowing the impeller a little play. There is absolutely no room in there now.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Badfish11]

Mine swelled due to the magnet corroding as previously mentioned. This is common it appears with the Vertex pumps they rebranded from Sicce. I found a replacement impeller for my Vertex Omega 150 here for what it is worth: https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/n...b3ixq_Sq-VUnwR5d2QQUaAlP6EALw_wcB#tab-reviews

To get mine unstuck I used a small set of vice grips to grab the end of the ceramic shaft and it pulled out without too much effort.

 

[rc1626]

I eventually did get it out. Had to break up the magnet into little pieces with an awl. Ceramic shaft snapped the first time I grabbed it with a pair of needle nose. Prior to knowing if I’d be successful with the removal I ordered a backup Sicce skimmer pump. Still using the original with replacement as a backup. Using an Omega 150 skimmer needle wheel currently and it’s working great.
Thanks so much for the response.

 

[Badfish11]

I eventually did get it out. Had to break up the magnet into little pieces with an awl. Ceramic shaft snapped the first time I grabbed it with a pair of needle nose. Prior to knowing if I’d be successful with the removal I ordered a backup Sicce skimmer pump. Still using the original with replacement as a backup. Using an Omega 150 skimmer needle wheel currently and it’s working great.
Thanks so much for the response.

That is good news. Glad you got it back online without having to scrap it.