1st time grower, my setup so far.

[Medijuana]

PLEASE HELP!

I'm all setup but my pump is acting funky. It worked when I tested it yesterday, so I bought some plants today and came home to find the pump not working.

This is a brand new mag pump. All I did was add some plant food, and I left to get plants and it somehow lost it's will to work.

Just a little amount of water will bubble out of it. If I pull the pump out of the water for one second and place it back in, then it works at full force (550gph). Like it needs a sip of air to get the motor spinning. When it's on a timer, it can't restart itself without lifting it out of the water and placing it down again.

It's too late to call botanicare about this tonight, but if there is anything simple I can do, please help.

The only thing I can think of is that the motor isn't able to pull the full amperage it needs to get spinning up underwater. How much power are you pulling from the circuit it's plugged into? This is worth a shot, but try using an extension cord and plug it into another plug from a different circuit that you're not using much power from. Let me know if this works for you. Good luck man!

 

[flipsticle]

The only thing I can think of is that the motor isn't able to pull the full amperage it needs to get spinning up underwater. How much power are you pulling from the circuit it's plugged into? This is worth a shot, but try using an extension cord and plug it into another plug from a different circuit that you're not using much power from. Let me know if this works for you. Good luck man!

That is a very good deduction. I do have a lot going threw one splitter (including lights and heater). I'll route power to the pump in from another room tonight and test your theory.

Right now I'm giving my clones 24 hours of darkness so they get used to their new home and schedule.

 

[flipsticle]

I plugged an extension cord from the bathroom and the pump worked fine..... damn, now I need to route power.

 

[Medijuana]

I plugged an extension cord from the bathroom and the pump worked fine..... damn, now I need to route power.

At least you don't have to worry about a pump replacement! Glad I could help, and good luck with your grow. I'm germinating as I type :cool0010:

 

[flipsticle]

Thanks for all the help.

Everything is working. I'll upgrade to CO2 in about 2 weeks. So I might be back on this thread for that if I have problems. Until then I'll start my grow on a new thread.

Please enjoy this sneak preview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivYUSq_3U00&feature=youtu.be

I'll link to the grow thread when I get the initial post finished.

 

[flipsticle]

the pump is unhappy again. I'm going to get another cheap one asap and send this back to the factory.... the upstairs neighbor hit the breakers a bunch of times and all the problems came back.

 

[flipsticle]

Spoke to botanicare and they said the pump isn't designed for a timer, and I should run it 24/7.

Good thing the Aerojet manual says very clearly that the system can handle a cycle timer, and the pump has a 3 year warranty.

They will replace my pump, and I'm happy.

I gave it a time of 1 minute on and 1 minute off for the first week. Then I was going to add a minute every week to the off time. Next time I will start it at 1 minute on and 4 minutes off so it's not working so hard, and not die in a week.

I guess ideally the pump would always be on, and the water would go to the tray (on cycle) to circulating the reservoir (off cycle) does anyone know of a device that can do this? Like some sort of 1/2 inch solenoid valve controlled "Y" or "3-way" valve.

 

[flipsticle]

waiting on new pump still.

I have a post on my first grow now ya'll can check out. Week 2 video, will be posted there.

 

[Dr.Backwoodz]

not designed for timers?? wth timers are the same as a normal on off switch i dont understand how something isnt designed for that?

 

[flipsticle]

I get what they are saying.... It takes more wear and tear to start a pump then to keep it running constant. A pond pump wasn't designed with that in mind. They just wanted to see if I was gullible enough to accept those conditions.

I already have my new pump that was replaced free. So no worries.

 

[ynotFOREVER]

HEY
scrog ur grow, keep it organic, use teas, dont forget too dillute ur tea with ro water, if u need more info on that i can help, in terms of ph, ppm etc etc
and here is how i keep good ventalation and air flow in my tent

peep my grow when u have a chance