The Puffer Forum

Hey all,

So, I have read really good things about these aquaclears, but I have had nothing but problems with mine. It makes a really loud noise, and once I unplug the filter, for whatever reason, it just stops. Then I have to empty it, unplug the motor, find out whats wrong plug it back in and hope that it works again. I'm getting really frustrated with it. Unfortunately, due to budget, I can't afford a canister filter at this time. I just don't know what to do. Any one have any suggestions or advice? It would be super appreciated.

I have some that are >20 years old. How long have you had yours? Has it ever run dry? When's the last time you cleaned the impeller, etc?

unless im reading it wrong, if you unplug the filter its going to stop doing everything.

But like PP was asking, if you havent cleaned the impeller in a while, you may want to pull it out and give it a good wipe down. Also you may find something stuck inside there that is making the noise

It's only about 2 weeks old, no fish in the tank yet, just cycling, and I just had the propeller out and cleaned it. It makes a clacking noise once it starts up again. I stop it, unhook the motor, move the propeller around, hook it back up and try again. If I unplug the plug for whatever reason, and plug it back in, the propeller doesn't move. Never ran dry for a period of time, just a second or two just to make sure that it is moving when I have to unhook it and try to get it to work. Other than that, it has always had water running in it.

There should be a thin metal rod that goes inside the impeller, that centers the magnet & stops it from the hitting the sides. Is it in there?

Yup, but it doesn't really do it's job. I noticed that the magnet still pulls to the side, even after I place the rod in the center (it's got a little depression in the motor that it sits in, so I put it there), put the propeller in, plug it in, and it still goes "clack clack clack." I can see that it "bounces" from one side to the other, even with the metal rod in.

It's still under warrantee--trade it in for another one.

Pufferpunk wrote:It's still under warrantee--trade it in for another one.

Okie dokie. Thank you so much. I will go to Petsmart tomorrow and trade it in. =) LoL they just better keep the new Bio stuff. I don't want to have to cycle all over again. The water is so close to being ready for my soon to be puff!

Good idea.

It won't hurt to leave the biomax sitting in the water will it? I wasn't sure if I could leave it out while I am taking the filter back...

It should be fine for a little bit

Yes I would leave the media in the tank.

are you priming it properly?

You have to have it full of water before it starts up again.

I just want to add to this. I have 6 of these running (3-110's, 2-30's and a 70). 3 of them have to be "kick" started anytime the power goes off or I turn them off. Don't unplug or disconnect anything...

The trick is to get a skinny stick (I use a pen), move the intake tube over with your hand and use the pen to give the impellar a small push or "kick". This should start it right away. Works on the 3 I have problems with. Without the kick, they do nothing, plugged or... Unplugged

yep, one of mine does that too. I use a bamboo skewer, but the exact same method.