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Septic Air Pump
Posted on 6/20/22 at 2:46 pm
Posted on 6/20/22 at 2:46 pm
My little red light comes on periodically. Right before the light comes on, it’ll seem like it’s struggling to pump. Sometimes it’s running fine and quiet.
I’ve cleaned the air filter and I removed the cap to see that it’s bubbling in there. Does anybody have any ideas on what may be causing my issues?
I’ve cleaned the air filter and I removed the cap to see that it’s bubbling in there. Does anybody have any ideas on what may be causing my issues?
Posted on 6/20/22 at 4:24 pm to bigbuckdj
Blow out air line with air compressor
Posted on 6/20/22 at 4:41 pm to bigbuckdj
Blow out the air line, check for debris, etc.
I recently replaced mine (only 3 years old), but my dad was able to find a rebuild kit for his online. Was only $60 and easy to do.
So if you can’t get it straight and thing it might be a problem with the diaphragm pump, consider a rebuild kit option.
I recently replaced mine (only 3 years old), but my dad was able to find a rebuild kit for his online. Was only $60 and easy to do.
So if you can’t get it straight and thing it might be a problem with the diaphragm pump, consider a rebuild kit option.
Posted on 6/20/22 at 5:52 pm to bigbuckdj
Is it a centrifugal or diaphragm pump?
Posted on 6/20/22 at 6:01 pm to redstick13
I think all septic tank air pumps are made with rubber diaphragms. And yes, there fairly cheep and easy to change.
Posted on 6/20/22 at 6:22 pm to gerald65
I’m gonna check to see what kind of pump it is, I think it is a cheap diaphragm. I’ll blow out the line and report back.
Posted on 6/20/22 at 6:28 pm to gerald65
A centrifugal doesn't use a diaphragm. It uses an impeller to generate air flow. They hit you up for about $1500 to replace those. Both styles can be rebuilt but they are two entirely different rebuild kits.
Posted on 6/20/22 at 6:43 pm to redstick13
Definitely not centrifugal, similar replacements are $250
Posted on 6/20/22 at 6:47 pm to bigbuckdj
In that case get you a diaphragm rebuild kit like someone mentioned earlier. They're cheap and easy to put in.
Posted on 6/20/22 at 6:48 pm to redstick13
I have a Modad 500 - link to rebuild kit
I blew out the air line and it’s much quieter, I feel like the problem may be solved.
I blew out the air line and it’s much quieter, I feel like the problem may be solved.
Posted on 6/20/22 at 10:22 pm to bigbuckdj
It came back on. I’m gonna buy a rebuild kit. Will report back.
Posted on 6/21/22 at 10:53 am to bigbuckdj
So I started taking it apart and the motor and magnets are incredibly hot, one of the diaphragms is torn, and the magnet carrier is cracked. I ordered a rebuild kit and a magnet carrier. It was $100 cheaper than a new one to fix it, but I’m taking a risk it still won’t work. We will see.



Posted on 6/23/22 at 6:48 pm to bigbuckdj
Just bumping this in case it helps someone. Thanks for the help troubleshooting.
I ordered a rebuild kit and magnet carrier from wholesale septic supply, it got to my house in two days. The rebuild kit came with two diaphragms, two valve boxes, a gasket for the box, a new air filter, and gasket for the air filter. It took about 15 minutes to change and was $160 cheaper than a new pump. You only need a number 2 screwdriver and a 7mm wrench.
New diaphragms, valve boxes, and magnet carrier. They came with horrible instructions.
Old magnet carrier just pulls out between the motors and where the diaphragms go.
Put the new magnet carrier and diaphragms in, tighten the magnet carrier to the diaphragms with your 7mm.
Put the valve boxes on the diaphragms and tighten with four screws.
Put the motor cover and new case gasket on with 4 screws.
Put the case on with 4 screws, add the air filter, and air filter gasket
I plugged it in inside, it really moves a lot of air, I think I’d know now if something was wrong just by pulling the discharge piping off. It’s much quieter and isn’t getting near as hot. You can also kind of feel it pulling air on the filter side.
I ordered a rebuild kit and magnet carrier from wholesale septic supply, it got to my house in two days. The rebuild kit came with two diaphragms, two valve boxes, a gasket for the box, a new air filter, and gasket for the air filter. It took about 15 minutes to change and was $160 cheaper than a new pump. You only need a number 2 screwdriver and a 7mm wrench.
New diaphragms, valve boxes, and magnet carrier. They came with horrible instructions.

Old magnet carrier just pulls out between the motors and where the diaphragms go.

Put the new magnet carrier and diaphragms in, tighten the magnet carrier to the diaphragms with your 7mm.

Put the valve boxes on the diaphragms and tighten with four screws.

Put the motor cover and new case gasket on with 4 screws.

Put the case on with 4 screws, add the air filter, and air filter gasket

I plugged it in inside, it really moves a lot of air, I think I’d know now if something was wrong just by pulling the discharge piping off. It’s much quieter and isn’t getting near as hot. You can also kind of feel it pulling air on the filter side.
Posted on 6/24/22 at 12:39 am to bigbuckdj
lol. I learned more about septic systems this month for the same issue. "poo bubbles" is now a known term in our house.
And I want to give a special shout out to D&M Septic for being absolute pieces of shite for trying to sell me an aerator at almost a 100% markup. So glad I researched prior to calling and just ordering online.
And I want to give a special shout out to D&M Septic for being absolute pieces of shite for trying to sell me an aerator at almost a 100% markup. So glad I researched prior to calling and just ordering online.
Posted on 6/24/22 at 11:50 am to bigbuckdj

Thanks for the final update. Glad it all worked out for you. Like the poster below you mentioned, these septic companies have huge markups on aerator pumps. They'll gladly sell you a rebuilt one for twice what it costs a person to rebuild it themselves. There's a certain company in SLA that will try and tell people that only the pumps with their stickers on them are compatible with their system. It's a complete sham. Any aerator pump that can provide low pressure air will work. The only thing it does is pump low pressure air down a schedule 40 PVC pipe to a diffuser bar in the bottom of your settling tank. A diffuser bar is just a pvc pipe with holes drilled in it.
This post was edited on 6/24/22 at 12:47 pm
Posted on 8/9/22 at 10:44 am to bigbuckdj
mine just went out, same model. both diaphragms and the magnet holder. the inside of mine was covered in rust though so I went ahead and replaced with the newer model from wholesale septic. little sucker has been going strong 24-7 for 8 years now.
Posted on 8/10/22 at 3:30 am to whiskey over ice
That sucks but you’ll still save a ton vs paying a septic company to replace it. I’m not sure what makes the rust like that. Mine is completely exposed and it wasn’t bad.
Posted on 8/11/22 at 9:35 am to bigbuckdj
(no message)
This post was edited on 10/26/22 at 9:23 am
Posted on 8/11/22 at 7:59 pm to footballdude
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