Thread: Swapping pump for filter - 1.5inch to 2inch converter?

Oase pumps like the aquamax 16000 are notorious for not re-starting after being turned off, but once going they run forever until the very next time you need to turn it off again, then it won't run again - and the so the cycle continues. Turn it off and on again a few times. Disconnect it, put it in a bucket of water, turn it on, 'bounce' it off the floor of the bucket. 99% of the time it will 'bounce' back into life.

Soaking it, totally submerged in white vinegar for a few days is a good idea too, before declaring it dead.

I've had two 16000, a 12000 and an 11000. All did the same thing - PAIN IN THE ARSE THOSE THINGS.

You can get white vinegar in 5 litre cans/tubs off eBay or Amazon etc.

I bought 20 litres to get free postage about 8 years ago, and still have about 10 litres left haha.

One thing I have used on pond equipment is Astonish all purpose descaler (available online or at Savers) which uses natural ingredients and is very effective. Safe enough that I use it in the kettle as well, but try and make sure you thoroughly wash it out after.

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Originally Posted by Ali724

Thank you, that makes sense.

Didn't realise it'd be a solvent weld type job, was hoping there might be something I could screw on!

So complex!

Sorry I didn't see this earlier Ali, I've been under orders for Christmas stuff from the boss.

Making good, leak-free glued joints is easy if you do them properly and this is the correct method which I've written to cover all the frequent questions I get asked:

How to make good glue joints:
Weld-On 725 Wet'R'Dry solvent cement is an excellent glue for either ABS or PVC pipework and is ideal for pipework up to 4" (110 mm) for those who can work quickly and with confidence. However, application and assembly of joints should be completed within about 15 to 20 seconds so it's too fast for those who are inexperienced and need extra time, especially on larger pipe sizes or in higher ambient temperatures.

Tangit PVC-u is a slower setting glue for either ABS or PVC so application and assembly can be done more slowly as long as it's completed within about 30 to 60 seconds.

When Wet'R'Dry is used on ABS, hold joints together for a few seconds to allow setting to begin. When used on PVC, hold joints together for at least 30 seconds to prevent the pipe pushing back out again especially with looser fitting joints but reapply pressure if the pipe shows any signs of pushing back out.

When Tangit is used on ABS, hold joints together for 30 seconds to allow setting to begin. When used on PVC, hold joints together for 60 seconds but, again, reapply pressure if the pipe shows any signs of pushing back out.

With either type of cement, you MUST use a solvent cleaner! This is badly named because it’s NOT just a cleaner, it prepares the surfaces and ensures that the cement penetrates and makes a good weld so it's essential, not optional, if you want good joints that don't leak!! Since solvent cleaner dries quickly, especially on PVC, the timing is important and the cement should be applied as soon as possible after the cleaner before the softened surfaces have time to dry and become hard again. Have everything ready, apply the cleaner to both the fitting and pipe then apply the cement to both and quickly push them together.

With either type of cement, before applying the cleaner, roughen up PVC fittings and pipe surfaces with sand paper to give the cement a key (this isn’t necessary with ABS pipes). After the joint is made, allow 30 minutes setting time for ABS pipework or 60 minutes for PVC pipework before putting it under the pressure we would normally find in a koi pond filter system.

If you slightly chamfer the end of the pipe, it doesn’t make any difference whether you twist it to make it slightly easier to push it into the fitting or whether you push it straight in.