Once a day, once an hour? Okay what's the real rule? To the OP, mine only cycles about every 4 to 6 hours and then when it does it only runs for just a few seconds. It's done this since new. Is that normal? I have no idea. It doesn't bother me too much at this rate. As long as it's just water leaking back through the pump I doubt it will hurt anything and the only issue would be if it's bothering you too much. But the problem could also be caused my a small leak someplace in the system. So you do need to look around for a sign of a leak.