Equipment Review and Discussion :: AquaClear Power Filter Troubles

[Turtle Mummy 101]

Hi everybody, if anyone has experience with this type of filter I would really appreciate the help. I use a Rena XP3 filter in Charlotte's tank and it does a wonderful job but it is a pretty expensive filter. I have been using the AquaClear Power Filter in my 45gal cichlid tank for over a year now and i've gone through two of them! The problem that I have been having is that it seems to lose power after a few months to the point where it just dosen't suck up anything anymore. I have been buying the biggest filter (the one for up to 110gal) and making sure to clean it out every couple of weeks and replace media once a month but I still seem to have this problem. I have even bought a new motor for the filter in the past but that lasted a couple weeks. Does this happen alot with your AquaClear's or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[VeipaCray]

Generally aqua clear filters are reliable. They have been around in the fish industry for years and years. Check the impeller and shaft. Sometimes gunk can build up around the impeller or shaft and it doesn't spin quite right.

Also the intake tube has a little bump on top. You can slide the tube left and right. It's an intake/flow adjustment. The more the intake tube is aligned directly with the impeller, the higher the flow rate. Has your intake tube moved?

[Turtle Mummy 101]

Thanks VeipaCray,
The intake tube does move back and forth occasionaly and I do move it back (low or high - depending on what I want). I also make sure to clean the gunk off the impeller every two weeks when I clean the filter which improves the problem slightly, but overall there just seems to me a decreased flow rate.

[vear]

My aquaclear stopped working after less than a year. I check the impeller, the shaft, cleaned everything, etc etc. But the impeller just wouldn't turn properly, I'd have to give it a little push. Anyway, long story short I had to buy another filter... unfortunately I like the aquaclear because they're so customizable when it comes to media. So.... I bought another aquaclear. IF it breaks again I will not buy aquaclear next time. Good luck.

edit: By the way, you can buy the parts, new shaft, motor etc. You can probably find them cheap on ebay. I didn't have time to wait around for them to ship though, this is why I bought a whole new filter. I got a discount at petsmart anyway, so it was pretty cheap.

[marisa]

I have two Aquaclear 110's, one of which has been working for several years now (knock on wood). I used to take them completely apart when I cleaned them, even untwisting the black piece where the impellar is. Unfortunately, the plastic wore down and the piece cannot be reattached. So, that one is out of commission until I decided to buy another part.

The one that's working is never fully taken apart when cleaned as the other one was. I do take out the impellar and clean it and the inside of the "tube" where it's placed, though.

Are you sure that the power didn't go off for a short while and cause the filter to lose it's prime?

[Turtle Mummy 101]

Vear: this is my second AquaClear in less than a year. The first one, I did go out and buy new parts for but after a few weeks of use I began to experience the same problem. I bought the one I have now at the beginning of October and already it's preformance has decreased. I'm hoping it will last until at least after Christmas...

Marisa: I used to clean the first filter completely (take it apart) but there was still no difference in flow. With this one, I still clean it but don't take it apart. Also, the power has never gone off since i've had this new filter so I know thats not the problem. This isn't just something that happens for a short while and recovers itself. Once the flow has diminished thats it - it just keeps getting worse and worse until I have to replace the filter.

Perhaps this just isn't the right filter for me. I know people who swear by them and others that hate them. I think if this one dosen't last i'll just buy another filter. Because I don't always keep fish though, I don't want to go out and buy a really expensive filter.

[VeipaCray]

try taking all the media out of the filter. clean the filter well...make sure none of the impeller blades have cracked or are missing. Is the flow rate with the filter media out significantly better or same? If same, it's not a media problem... it's something with the filter body.

Does your intake tube have any holes or cracks? is the intake tube pushed all the way down until it clicks in? If the intake tube isn't all the way down and snapped into the filter housing....you'll get reduced flow. Are the tubes and intake strainers clean? does water flow freely through them if you rinse them under the sink?

take the intake tube completely off. does the impeller spin fast when the unit is powered on but dry or is the impeller bouncing around?

[Turtle Mummy 101]

Thanks VeipaCray. The flow rate without the filter media is the same. Nothing seems to be wrong with the intake tubes, I tried to take them apart and put them back again making sure the water was able to flow freely. I'm definitely getting the feeling it must be a problem with the motor. After this filter dies I think i'm just going to pick up a Rena or a Fluvial, I can probably get one of the older models for cheaper. Hopefully they'll do the job

[VeipaCray]

Sorry to hear that about your filter. Does your power fluctuate In voltage much? That could over time mess up the motors enough to reduce performance.

If you go for an older fluval, stay away from the 03 & 04 series of filter. The 03 are notorious leakers. The 04 does not have shutoffs on the tubes for easy cleaning. Ive created many floods with a pair of 204's years ago. The 05 is a good filter. I posted a link to a good deal on a fx5 on the deals section of this forum if your looking for a big filter.

Also eheim makes excellent canister filters (Gunther Eheim invented the canister filter) If you are searching for older cheaper canisters I'd include the eheim classic and eheim echo filters in your search.

[Turtle Mummy 101]

I'm not sure, actually. But I suppose that would be good to know if i'm planning on getting another filter.

Thank you so much for the info! I always thought the Fluvial 03&04 were good - I was actually looking at getting the 04. I quickly looked at the deals section of the forum and saw your post, but i'm not sure if they ship to Canada...i'll look into it more though. Thanks again