Ocean Runner parts?

AnemicOak · 08-02-2005, 09:13 PM

Does anyone in town carry Ocean Runner (AquaMedic) pump parts that you guys know of?

I was planning on getting my 75 "wet" this weekend (I know, finally) & was working on finishing my return plumbing when the fitting on top of the pump broke. Maybe it's my own fault, since I have a female PVC adapter screwed to it instead of the barb fitting it came with. I just couldn't imagine running my return with tubing & had planned for it to all be PVC. I got the broken piece of the old part out, now I just need a replacement.

So anyone know if someplace local might have the part I need?

Thanks

spazz · 08-02-2005, 09:26 PM

your best bet is to epoxy (weldon 40) a union to the top of the pump housing. that fitting is metric and you wont be able to get one any time soon.

AnemicOak · 08-02-2005, 09:36 PM

Weldon 40's an acrylic glue, not an epoxy, isn't it? The only things I've ever heard of it working on was acrylic, abs & styrene. Do you think it'd work on the OR housing & hold well?

The outer thread is 3/4". Are you saying the part that threads into the pump is metric?

I think I bought this pump from Dirk, guess I'll see if he has any parts. Just thought someplace more local might stock parts if they sold the pumps.

smeese · 08-02-2005, 09:39 PM

PM sent

David Grigor · 08-02-2005, 10:15 PM

While this may not be the best solution for a timecrunch however, Aquamedic has excellent customer service. Send an email to them and they will get the part out to you. I don't recall the exact timing but it was about a week. When I lost the top to a Turboflotor during a move they sent me one free of charge which was above the call of duty......

AnemicOak · 08-02-2005, 10:32 PM

Thanks Dave, I'll drop them an email. I wonder if it'd work to use some PlastiWeld or something on the actual fitting to fix it.

Do you guys using Ocean Runner pumps have them 'hard plumbed'?

smeese · 08-02-2005, 10:52 PM

To be honest I sold all of my ocean runners except the ones on my skimmer, I may have those parts for a 6500. I will check. I went from a ocean runner 3500 for a return to a Mag 18, but I had a couple 6500's too from a tank I used to work on..

mnreefgeek · 08-02-2005, 11:56 PM

I had a 6500 hard plumbed and ran into the same problem in the middle of a move. My helpers got excited to move the tank and the rest is history. I didn't have time to wait for solutions, so I replaced the pump. Wish I had known then what I know now........

AnemicOak · 08-03-2005, 12:19 AM

Chad, did you replace it with another Ocean Runner, locally? I'd consider getting another pump & keeping this one for backup once fixed.

David Grigor · 08-03-2005, 12:30 AM

I have used Ocean Runner 2500s hard plumbed. It was easy since the in/out threads are 3/4".

However, 3500s were a pain to work with and I don't plan on buying another one.

But I do like the 2500s.

AnemicOak · 08-05-2005, 01:11 AM

Well, thanks to Dirk I should have the part I need soon. Once I have it I'll be finishing my return plumbing & will FINALLY be putting water in the tank. It's been a year since I started buying things so I guess it's about time I got it going.

For my return I was planning on using something like what's pictured below. It'll be going up & over the back of the tank & pointing kind of towards the bottom back of the tank (maybe even deflecting off the back a bit) to keep the junk back there from settling.

Anyone see any problems with doing it like that? I do have a piece of loc line with a nozzle on the end I could use instead, but thought this might work better.

Thanks

otolith · 08-05-2005, 09:21 AM

Try it out, just don't glue it together. The only thing is make sure it's not too far down in the water, as if you lose power and it siphons, you'll have a flood on your hands. I wouldn't rely on a siphon break hole either, as I've had that get clogged as well.

I know you've gone the PVC plumbing for your return, but why is this such a big deal? I like using reinforced tubing--easier to use, easy to connect/disconnect pumps without needing unions/ballvalves, etc...The only PVC I use is in tank or going in to the tank, given that some rigidity is needed.

AnemicOak · 08-05-2005, 01:59 PM

Thanks Derek, I think I'll shorten it up some & try to keep it closer to the surface. I'll be putting a siphon break on it, but know what you mean about not relying on it 100% though. I've read of a lot of people having them get clogged & having a flood.

The PVC isn't a big deal. I just did it that way at the start. Didn't really think about using tubing until the fitting on the pump broke. What I've setup now isn't PVC all the way. I've got a union & ball valve to hook to the pump (which maybe I don't even need) & then it's tubing going to a piece of PVC before heading into the tank. Just bought regular tubing though, not reinforced. Didn't think it would matter sine we're not talking a high pressure situation.

otolith · 08-05-2005, 05:15 PM

You're right on not needing reinforced tubing, but everyone has to overengineer something on their tank.

AnemicOak · 08-05-2005, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otolith

You're right on not needing reinforced tubing, but everyone has to overengineer something on their tank.

Well, I think I've done plenty of that.