Frustrated with Aqua Clear HOB Filters

[sharkweek178]

Is there a power hang on back filter that doesn’t need priming after a power outage?

I used to use an Aqueon QuietFlow and it was self priming.

 

[Uberhoust]

I don't use Aquaclears anymore, I prefer the canister filters now, but when I did I too encountered the issue of the AC's not starting consistently after a drop in power. What I found helped the situation was to ensure that the tank level was above the bottom of the siphon pipe, the one that leads to the impeller. This keeps water in the inlet pipe when the power cuts out, and the siphon does not have to be restarted, i.e. when the power is off the flow does not siphon much water out of the filter and the intake does not suck in air.

I will say it is only a partial help because once the filters aged a bit the impeller could jam against the housing, the only way I found to deal with this was to poke the impeller with my finger.

 

[Magnum Man]

look at Tidal's, they are a different design, and never need priming

 

[gwand]

My cheap Tetra HOBs re-start without priming after an outage. My AC 30 and AC 50s don’t but my AC 110 does start up. I have a Tidal arriving today.

 

[anewbie]

Is there a power hang on back filter that doesn’t need priming after a power outage?

They are suppose to auto prime it just doesn't happen sometimes; there are two models that compete will with aquaclear but i've not used them as i stopped using hob before they were created - one is seachem tidal and another is one of the marineland models (i forget which); but take my comment has hersey since i haven't used them.

Don't get me wrong fluval has a reputation of being reliable and good support but i've moved on for hob and i just don't see a place for them with the stocking i keep. Having said that i do sometime buy a small canister filter just to make surface current.

 

[MaloK]

look at Tidal's, they are a different design, and never need priming

After 24 modifications... They will satisfy your need. Like Every single one of them... It's a hobby after all.

But you have chosen right !!! A never ending hobby. That requires plumbing to lightning qualifications and...

Lots of caring about everything.

 

[tiggerfish]

I returned from being away for seven days. I noticed that one of my aqua clear filters was not running. Then I realized there had been a power outage; the clocks were off. My generator should have kicked in. It turns out I was out of propane. Stupid me! My neighbor told me the power outage was no more than 20 seconds. How frustrating that the aqua clear filter motor did not restart. Luckily I suffered no losses of fish. It’s strange that my three other aqua clear filters on other tanks were able to restart.

If you needed air for tank you could get a battery powered air pump.

 

[gwand]

I

If you needed air for tank you could get a battery powered air pump.

i have a heavy duty one. Expensive. But I have 7 tanks. I can’t afford seven units to run while I’m away. I go away very frequently for a week or so. I depend on my generator working properly. I just installed the Seachem Tidal. So far I like it. Very quiet and self priming.

 

[Back in the fold]

This is why air power is best . If a guy runs any kind of power filter he should be in the habit of maintaining them well . Those impellers clog for all kinds of reasons . Have a collection of small brushes that reach every nook and cranny .

 

[gwand]

You are right. I try to clean the impeller and case every six weeks. But sometimes I miss with 7 active tanks. But the AC unit that didn’t restart had a clean impeller and casing compartment. So in this particular case that wasn’t the issue.