Rio question

[angelminx]

Hey, Carl!

I purchased the Rio 1000 last year (just about a year ago), and have hardly had any problems with it.  However, occasionally after unplugging it for XP2 maintenance (and once to replace the bulb in the UV) it would not want to start up again.  I would clean it, including the impeller and impeller well, and would have no further problem.  A couple of days ago, however (I had stopped it to do maintenance on the XP2), before starting the system back up--I cleaned it first--it did not want to push any water thru the system.  I tried re-seating the impeller a few times, and turning it on to check that it was running (I've done this a couple of times before, where I don't screw the "cap" back on so I can view the impeller) and it either wouldn't turn, or would turn for a moment or two, and then stop.  I finally got it working again, and it has been running fine so far.  I was wondering if there is something I need to be doing, or if it is starting to fail for some reason?  [BTW, I forgot to mention that the last time after cleaning it it made a "rattling" noise while running.]

[Carl]

Make sure there is no debris inside as this is the only thing I can think of that would not allow the cap to screw on other than being stripped (which would then not be repairable)

I always lubricate the impeller with Petroleum Jelly when servicing too.

Another suggestion after servicing is to run the pump under water connected to NOTHING for about 5-10 minutes.

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

The impellers are my number one thing that mess with my flow for my planted tank. The pin through it needs to be cleaned too.

[angelminx]

Other than one time when I had problems unscrewing the cap, I haven't had any problems with it, it's just the impeller that was having whatever problem it was. I can't think of what was causing it to stop--any sand that might have been in it had been rinsed out, and any slime was scrubbed off.

When I cleaned the thing the other day, the pin came out and I couldn't get it back in (I couldn't hold the Rio, and the flashlight to see what I was doing, and put it back in t the same time), so I had to call my Mom to come over and hold the flashlight. Originally during cleaning the pin would come out with the little rubber pieces attached at either end, but at one point the "outside" one came off and I never found where it landed. The piece that fits into the well stayed on, but this time it remained stuck inside the well.  The last couple of times the pin didn't want to come out, so I used the brush (actually a couple different sizes) around it when I cleaned the impeller well.

[Carl]

The pin as you both are calling it (more correctly the shaft if we are speaking of the same part) should come out freely.
If not, then there is a problem of warping or other damage or simply it needs to be lubricated before place back through the impeller magnet.
If you loose either grommet that goes on the ends of this shaft, your impeller will have a difficult time working correctly , including being more noisy from vibration.
If lost or warn, wrapping Teflon Tape around the worn grommet or where the Grommet should be can help as a DIY fix, albeit an imperfect one

Carl