Aqua Clear Filters

[fatheadminnow]

Has anyone else experienced this? That after cleaning, or use, that the Aqua Clear filters make what is best described as a "crackling" sound? The sound comes from the motor, and I have no idea why it does this? Both my AC 70 and 20 do this now and I have no clue? Just tonight when I cleaned the impeller and hosing in my AC 20, and put it back together, the motor started to make that "crackling" sound and it is REALLY annoying! Has anyone experienced this? What do I need to do to make this stop? Replace the motor?

Thanks!

-FHM

 

[rebrn]

OMG I am so glad you posted that, I thought my 1 month old AC 20 was dying!!!!! When I first got it it made that sound but it turned out to be air getting trapped from the airstone in the intake valve. never noticed it again haven't cleaned my yet fishless cycling. but then I switched to sand, so turned off the filter and placed the media in old tank water, finished the switch, and the noise again, just like you said like a crackling. I thought it was sand trapped in the filter. So I took it all apart and cleaned the propeller etc, all is fine, then after 5 min of restarting the sound again, cleaned it again thinking it was sand, then added nylon over the intake to protect against sand, no further sound. Well did a slight overdose with the ammonia, and did a water chage (several actually) and decided to check the filter for sand just in case, put the filter back in and the crackling. It went away after about 5 minutes, but I was getting ready to call AC thinking it was faluty. But now that you posted that I guess not, and yes it is every time you clean the filter, even after refilling the filter before starting up again it makes that noise for just a few minutes (maybe 5 tops) and then it is fine. It is so weird, but I feel better knowing someone else has it too

 

[Neesmo]

i have 2 aqua clear filters and they both do it. Its always bad after i clean the impeller. sounds like you described, kind of a crackling sound. One of the filters is on the mbuna tank in my bedroom and it keeps me awake sometimes after i clean it. I even have to unplug that one and put the basket in a pail with tank water so i can fall asleep sometimes. Its just a secondary filter on that tank though so its fine. I bought a new impeller and it still did it. i have spare magnets and i can swap one out, and it still does it. I know with mine i leave the lid off and its slightly quieter.

Kyle

 

[rebrn]

WOW yours goes on for that long. I guess I should count my blessings, I unplugged mine the first couple of times it happened only because I was afraid it was broken and I didn't want to leave it running and make it worse, but then I said let me just see what it does, and it always stops after 5 minutes tops sometimes I have to shift it a little on the back of the tank (get it sitting straight again) but that is it. I am glad I didn't call AC to complain about my "broken" 1 month old filter, I would have looked like an idiot

 

[fatheadminnow]

Thanks for the replies guys! Yeah, other than that sound I really like the AC filters, but it is this sound that makes me want to get a different brand filter! I think it may have to do something with that little metal rod that comes up in the middle of the motor where the impeller spins on. If you look really carefully you can see little scrapes in the medal rod where sand or what ever is wearing away the rid. Maybe after a couple minutes or days, those little scratches get filled in with debris and the noise stops. But when you clean the filter, all that debris comes out, the scratches are then really evident and there is play between the inside of the impeller and shaft? I don't just a thought?

Neesmo, is that an R32 in your avatar? I am guessing Nissan because of your name, Neesmo, sort of like Nismo. lol

-FHM

Yeah, my AC 20 just started making the noise, and my AC 70 makes it for weeks on end, very annoying!

Any other filters out there that are nice and don't make much sound?

-FHM

 

[rebrn]

Yeah that makes sense. I guess mine just doesn't last as long (noise wise) because it is relatively new and I don't have fish yet, so really no debris to speak off. Darn, that kinda sucks knowing what I have to look forward to. I really love the AC ... I actually like it better then my Marineland eclipse system, more versatility, easier to customize, and it is quieter then the marineland, well when it is not making that noise anyway.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yeah, I hope some other members on here that may know the answer would reply! I would really love to figure this out!

Like as you said, I really love the AC filters too!

-FHM

 

[rebrn]

I don't know if this will work for you, but I find that sometimes the little tab on the back (inside facing the aquarium) gets bent causing the filter to sit on the tank at a slight angle. Almost every time, like 4 out of the 5 times it happened to me, if I shift the filter to make sure it is sitting straight (parallel) on the tank, the sound stops almost instantaneously, like within a few seconds. But that could be because mine hasn't been in use as long with not much scratches on the impeller. IDK, worth a shot though.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Good thinking!

If the entire filter is not level, then that could throw the impeller off just enough to hit the outside of the impeller housing?

Well, I moved the little tab to make the filter rest more level, and the noise has seemed to stop. Well, the noise is still there, ever so slightly, but no where near as bad as it was!

Now when I go home in a couple days I will have to try this on the AC70! Lets hope it works then!

Thanks!

-FHM

 

[rebrn]

Maybe it is a combination of worn impeller and unlevelled filter housing. Glad it helped some, hopefully it will work with your 70

 

[fatheadminnow]

I am tempted to buy a new motor for the 70 and see if it is indeed that impeller shaft! The only thing stopping me is money!

-FHM

 

[rebrn]

tell me about it, I never realized how expensive this hobby can get

 

[bitteraspects]

it sounds like after draining, you restarted the pump without priming it. this causes your impeller to run dry, and in some cases can damage the impeller. you may have to get a new one if you did in fact damage the old one. they are not expensive, and very easy to replace.
make sure to prime your filter before running it

i have quite a few AC filters and all of them are silent. some as old as 9 years. i also know people who have had theirs well over 15 years, still operating perfectly, and silently. dont give up. just find the problem, fix it, and dont let it happen again. you will be very happy with the filter in the long run

 

[rebrn]

if FHM is having the same problem I am then it does it even if you prime it. That is actually why I thought mine was broken.

Sorry FHM didn't mean to hijack your post

 

[bitteraspects]

if the impeller is really damaged, it might not be strong enough to prime the filter.
usually if you fill the media basket area about halfway with water, (just above the impeller area), it should be able to prime itself.
have you removed the impeller and looked at it?