And pond/pump experts in?

Anyone got any ideas.

I've got 2 ponds and a stream that runs between them when its all runnning.

I've got a fairly decent pump which is in the lower pond. This runs into a filter, then out into the top pond, then runs down the stream back to the bottom pond.

Thing is, the pumps going on a mad one the last few days. It works absolutly fine, then after about 5 minutes, just stops.

Leave it for 20 min, and it works fine again for another 5 min.

I took the pump out last night, gave it a bit of a clean up, removed any pond rubbish and roots and tried it again. Same issue.

I've got the vents on the minimum gap, and its been fine all year. Im going to try opening the vent a little more tonight (as pond greenery sticks on and may have reduced the gaps?) and see if that works. The only thing I can thing of is that not enough water is getting to the pump (even though its submerged) and its getting hot and shutting down.

Anyone got any ideas? Water flow seems to be fine when it is running, and it works fine again after, so definatly something thats turning it off because something isn't right?

Has anyone got any ideas?

Edit, title WAS meant to say Any Pond/Pump experts

It sounds as if it a fault with the cut out circuit within the pump itself. Have you dropped it?

You could try raising the pump so that it is not sitting so deep in the pond that it gets sludged up.

If it's like the pump I have then there is no way to get into the pump motor without destroying it in the process. When my pump failed it got an "autopsy" the bearings had worn to the point that the rotating part would touch the outer bits.

[tigersaw]

I've got a very similar setup, though my 'lower' pond overflows into a buried 200 litre tank, and the pump is in there. The pump sits on an upturned bucket, so all the crap sinks to the bottom and doesnt foul it.
So long as your pump doesnt get dry, I doubt its overheating, more like Mogs says, probably worn out? Try lifting it out whilst running (I've done that to mine many times), it should still be quiet running apart from any slurpy sounds. If it sounds rough and graunchy or bearingy (all tech terms) then theres your answer.

Originally Posted by Mogs

bearings had worn to the point that the rotating part would touch the outer bits.

and stop it from spinning the propeller, this is what happened to my pump.
i found that pumps usually last about 3-5 years, then bits start wearing out and like said the pump motor is sealed in some sort of resin so basically its not worth fixing.

I'll have a tinker tonight. Its around 1 year old, and I paid nearly £200 for it so im not to impressed.

Originally Posted by Daimo

I'll have a tinker tonight. Its around 1 year old, and I paid nearly £200 for it so im not to impressed.

What pump is it

If it is an Oase Aquamax (Filtertec,) they are covered by a 5 yr Guarentee

Get in touch with where you bought it from

I've got a 1048 Gallon Koi pond too