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Thread: No air from spindrifter
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02-12-2019, 08:53 PM #1
No air from spindrifter
Hi all - one of my spindrifters doesn’t seem tto be chucking much air up as can only see a few tiny bubbles from it at the pond surface . At first I thought “hmm dodgy air pump” but on swopping pumps between that and my 2nd spindrifter the problem clearly isn’t that . Anyone else had this problem in the past or have any ideas how to clear it without draining pond ?
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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03-12-2019, 06:37 AM #2
Do you have much green or alge growth.
If so.
Could be the done membrane holes are clogged.
Pressure washer on a pole could clean the dome. Just tape the handle gun trigger back.
I did this once. Worked on mine. I am not saying that is your problem.
Could be an air lock.
Fred
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03-12-2019, 07:56 AM #3
Good idea from Fred. In the past I’ve given mine a gentle scrub with a broom, but not ldeal as you do not want to put too much pressure on the dome stem. Either way if neither options work, could be a kink or hole in an airline...in the past I have had a rat chew a line. Not sure if you have one way check valve in your airline...sometimes these fail/ block and the air cannot pass through, could be worth’s a check if you have them..
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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03-12-2019, 10:23 AM #4
Thx Fred def worth a try
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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03-12-2019, 10:24 AM #5
Yes worth a bash ! The only flexible pipe are used was on the pump and so I can see those and there is no kink the rest of it is Pressure pipe
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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03-12-2019, 11:58 AM #6
In my spin drifter. It has 2x connection s for a flexible rubber pipe. Underneath the dome. With one of these for connecting.
One goes at pump end and one in the bottom drain. And that joined the rubber pipe to nipple already in there. Could that be kinked.
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03-12-2019, 12:05 PM #7
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04-12-2019, 08:45 PM #8
i used the blow side of a work vac on mine when it was blocked on the rubber disc. one blast and it cleared. down side is risk splitting the diaphragm. so i just cupped the vac pipe in my hand and then put the air line to it for a second .
yep ok not much help lol sorry
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freddyboy Thanked / Liked this Post
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05-12-2019, 01:47 AM #9
Steveo,
My bottom drain sits at 7.5 feet. On the end of the pipe feeding it I have 2 x Airtech 60 air pumps (with non-return valves) since I read somewhere that they are better than most at delivering air at depth. I turn both on in the summer (or when I need more air) and run only one in the winter. When the air goes off and I turn it back on again I find that the air flow from the top of the diaphragm is always a bit of a trickle. I think the water pressure at 7.5 feet forces water back through the diaphragm and back up the pipe which effectively cuts down the bore of the 15 metre pipe when the air is turned back on. To resolve the situation I turn on both air pumps and leave them running for a good while. After a few hours I can turn of the second air pump and everything is hunky-dory. I also run a big air stone so I am unconcerned that there is not enough air getting into the pond.
You don't mention what size pump you are using or the depth of your Spindrifter so maybe a bigger pump may be the answer. If you want to try cleaning your diaphragm and cannot reach it, running mains pressure water down the air pipe may clean it. Careful with the pressure though you don't want to burst the diaphragm. As soon as the diaphragm starts expanding out the air holes automatically get bigger as the rubber stretches, that with water passing through the holes should help to clear any blockages.
Kenny
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