i need help with my filter

A place to discuss general puffer care or news.
Post Reply
volcomkrew4life
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 169
Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 7:53 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffer
Location (country): United States of America

i need help with my filter

Post by volcomkrew4life »

today i turned off my AquaClear 50 filter to do a quick water change. when i turned it back on it started making a horrible grinding noise. i opened up the motor and noticed that the impeller won't stay down. every time i plug it in it runs okay for about 3 seconds and then pops up about an eighth of an inch and starts making the noise. it was an old filter that i had found in my basement about 2 weeks ago so the parts are very old. i cleaned it out and made sure no sand or debris was stuck in it. nothing. it also has a very rough feel when i pull the impeller out of the motor. do you think i just need a new impeller or a whole new motor and where can i get one other than online? would petsmart or petco sell them?
User avatar
I.Puff.Too
Green Spotted Puffer
Posts: 310
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2011 12:52 am
Gender: Male
Location (country): USA
Location: Charleston, SC

Re: i need help with my filter

Post by I.Puff.Too »

if the motor runs it's good. A new impeller would probably fix your problem. Have you tried cleaning the impeller and where the impeller goes?
User avatar
hadla
Mbu Puffer
Posts: 1626
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:33 pm
Gender: Female
My Puffers: 2 gsps and a big Stars and stripes
Location (country): California
Location: Sacramento, CA
Contact:

Re: i need help with my filter

Post by hadla »

yeah id try fully cleaning all the parts around it and the impeller itself first, its usually just a buildup of things that cause it to stop working...
Never trust big puffers. The fingers you save may be your own. -RTR
volcomkrew4life
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 169
Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 7:53 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffer
Location (country): United States of America

Re: i need help with my filter

Post by volcomkrew4life »

yeah i cleaned it real good. right now it's better but still not sounding too good. if it starts doing it again i won't be able to get to a store for a day or two. if i make sure the filter stays filled with water will the good bacteria stay alive?
User avatar
xrayjeeper83
Mbu Puffer
Posts: 4167
Joined: Thu May 06, 2010 9:31 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Fahaka named Bloat
Abei named Huey
GSP named Bacon
Location (country): USA
Location: Orange Park, FL

Re: i need help with my filter

Post by xrayjeeper83 »

you could always drop some flakes or something directly into the filter to help keep them alive if you have to shut it down.

But since that seems to be the problem, Id go ahead and order a replacement and fix it asap before it tears something else up, or gets worse again.

Im assuming this isnt the only filter on the tank right
RTR wrote:Fahakas do not have tank mates, they may have swimming food reserves.
volcomkrew4life
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 169
Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 7:53 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffer
Location (country): United States of America

Re: i need help with my filter

Post by volcomkrew4life »

no i actually was in the process of filling this one up with good bacteria so i could take my other worse filter off. can i buy an impeller in a store or will i have to order it?
User avatar
Pufferpunk
Queen Admin
Posts: 32987
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Greenville, SC
Contact:

Re: i need help with my filter

Post by Pufferpunk »

I'll bet anything a piece of sand got in there. Take out the impeller & rinse out the hole it goes into with strong water, whole holding it upside-down.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
User avatar
xrayjeeper83
Mbu Puffer
Posts: 4167
Joined: Thu May 06, 2010 9:31 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Fahaka named Bloat
Abei named Huey
GSP named Bacon
Location (country): USA
Location: Orange Park, FL

Re: i need help with my filter

Post by xrayjeeper83 »

after trying what PP said, if that didnt work then you should be able to get it at a petsmart/petco kinda place. If not they are cheap online
RTR wrote:Fahakas do not have tank mates, they may have swimming food reserves.
Post Reply