Tropiquarium 68 Help Needed

[Freedom]

I have a Tropiquarium 68. Had it for years. Hagen stopped making them in 2001. I tracked down several years worth of filters back then so all set. I keep about 15 tetras in there, very simple and basic, but I like it.

2 weeks back, the pump broke. Contacted Hagen; they said their Aquaclear 20 is the same one. So I bought it.

New pump does not fit in the slot. I have it mounted w/ the suction cups (the HOB doesn't fit), so the fish have aeration and circulation. How do I get it to put water into the filter?

I also can't figure out what to do with the air hose. One end gets the venturi valve and the other end goes where? I don't think this has to do with getting the water into the filter, I think this is a separate issue.

 

[KittyKat]

There are two items I can see under "Aquaclear 20", one is a HOTB filter, the other is a power head. Are you sure you bought the spare part for the filter or a filter instead of the power head?

Just wanted to check, you do know not to replace all filter media at the same time and about nitrifying bacteria, right? And about keeping water circulating though the media at all times so that the bacteria do not die off?

 

[Freedom]

This is the original set up. The "box" holds the heater, the filter media, and a pump. The pump is on the far left, and it pours water into the filter media. You can see the "spout" going over the initial white foam tray.

This is the part that broke. In removing it and holding it for the picture, the "spout" is now aimed to the hood.

This is the new part.

The over the back attachment doesn't fit, the tank is too thick. This also comes with suction cups and I have used those to hold it on the side of the tank. But the shape is wrong, no way it is going to pour water over that white foam tray. And it only has one output, for aeration and circulation. The "wheel" at the bottom of it does not fit in the box.

So I am stumped as to what I am going to do. I know I need the water to circulate through the media, that is my issue. I can't figure out how to do it with this new pump.

 

[KittyKat]

OK, I see your problem now.

The filter you have is a Biolife 35 (or 55, but I think the 55 is for the larger version of the Tropiquarium): the spare part number for the "motor unit" is A-16600, that's just the pump, not the sprout thing which pours water into the filter. The spare part number for the "motor unit" of the AquaClear power head is also A-16600.

Try removing the original pump from the sprout which was aimed into the filter and the "impeller housing", suction cups, etc, on the new pump, do they look like you can swap the two now?

If that's not working, try searching for "biolife A-16600", I'm getting a few results for UK suppliers.

Edit: any possibility of a side on photo of both pumps next to each other?

 

[Freedom]

OK, here are pics of the 2 side by side.

New is on left; old and broken is on right. Took off the deflector on the old one.

I can see / feel that the "spout" piece is separate, not sure how I take it off? I don't see screws. Does it snap on and off?

And on the new one, here is the diagram from the package:

The wheel, which is the part that is too wide to fit in the box, seems like that can come off too. Again, I can't figure out how all the pieces come apart? Do I just pull them?

Thanks for all your assistance, KittyKat.

 

[KittyKat]

I can see / feel that the "spout" piece is separate, not sure how I take it off? I don't see screws. Does it snap on and off?

[…]

The wheel, which is the part that is too wide to fit in the box, seems like that can come off too. Again, I can't figure out how all the pieces come apart? Do I just pull them?

Try gently wriggling them about and pulling straight down, if that doesn't work, they twisting maybe? I have never had either of those pumps, so I don't know what the exact mechanism is on those. Normally, it's one or the other, or a combination of both. Do the instructions not say how to service the pump?

 

[Freedom]

OK, both just pull apart. The bases are not made the same, so I can't switch the spout.

What if I set the new pump so it sends water in the direction of the box? Do you think that would be enough? I know it isn't the same, not going to catch "big" pieces, but with my fish set up I don't HAVE big pieces of anything.

 

[KittyKat]

OK, both just pull apart. The bases are not made the same, so I can't switch the spout.

Not even if you completely pull apart, including the cover over the impeller?

What if I set the new pump so it sends water in the direction of the box? Do you think that would be enough? I know it isn't the same, not going to catch "big" pieces, but with my fish set up I don't HAVE big pieces of anything.

If you can make it work, that's great. If you can't, ask Hagen for a refund on the grounds of false advertising and buy the spare part for the filter.

 

[Freedom]

Sent email to Hagen, asking what I am supposed to do, attached photo. Have my prior case number, so perhaps tomorrow I'll have an answer; if not, by Tuesday.

I'm sorry, you lost me - the spare part for the FILTER??? Could you attach a link for me?

 

[Liam2368]

I have a pump from my old tropiquarium 88, no idea if it's the same one though?

 

[KittyKat]

I'm sorry, you lost me - the spare part for the FILTER??? Could you attach a link for me?

Search for "biofilter A-16600": that should give you only the pump without anything attached to it.

But to be honest, the pump itself looks identical on both power heads that you have (old and new). Can you remove everything from both pumps so that only the parts labelled as 5, 6, 7 and 8 on the diagram are left? Then you should be able to attach the new pump to the spare parts from the old one, basically swapping parts 5, 6, 7 and 8 between the new and old assembly.

 

[Fatbloke-Dim]

I have 2 Tropiquarium 88's . I've swopped out the powerheads heaps of times , they are always noisy ,and now the current one in one of the tanks is growling like hell -so that's another new 'un , then . You have the correct powerhead , you merely need to remove the bits not required , that is the airhose doodad ,the conical connector for other filters , etc ,everything . It twists off , hold the motor block in one hand ,turn the spout and flow adjuster / connector doodad in 't other hand and turn 90 degrees ought to do it . It will go either way ,one way is right should only need that 90 degree turn , but....you may have to pull the unwanted bit from the motor block to release it from the o-ring , as it holds the 2 parts together pretty tightly . Remember- you just want the bare motor block , you can then re fit your bits to that . You will need to push it fairly hard to get it to seat over that o-ring , then turn 90 degrees untill it fits flush at the bottom of the motor block . It is poss to get it cock-eyed ,but that will be obvious . Simples ! Apologies if you have it sorted by now . These powerheads have many other applications , so there's not likely to be any issues with 'em being obsolete too soon .