Aqua Clear Filters - When to Repair/Replace?

[punman]

I have used this brand for the last 15 years. There are many things I like about them. When to Repair/Replace though?

I have replaced impellers and impeller shafts from time to time. This has been when filters get noisy/rattle which in my case is I believe from sand getting in there. I now have less "sand active" cichlids and keep the intakes a bit farther from the bottom and that helps some.

But is there a point when you say it is not worth repairing anymore - I will just buy a new one (although the plastic boxes never seem to wear out). Replace impellers and impeller shafts forever? Or can they be repaired forever? I still have a couple of old AC300s and 500s still running.

I have the odd old filter that runs for a few minutes and then stops unexpectedly. I take a toothpick and give the impeller a hit and away it goes for a few minutes and then quits again so I am not using those. Does the actual motor start to act up before burning out?

So I have discarded and replaced a few filters along the away (bought new filter in the box with everything when it seemed the motor might still be working okay). I want to balance being too frugal and having a filter quit in the middle of the night, and being wasteful by tossing an almost perfect filter that can be fixed.

These are popular filters so I am hoping for lots of feedback.

 

[krichardson]

I say continue to replace whatever parts that you can as long as it makes sense for you to do so.My tanks are not in the main areas of the house so any noises that they make is not an issue to me.

 

[tlindsey]

I agree with K krichardson . Aqua Clear still great hob filter since I've been using them in the 80's.

 

[Jexnell]

I would say keep them going. All parts can be replaced on them from the shafts, rotors, the whole motor, heck you can even get replacement cases if you have to (I did, dropped an AC50, case broke got a new one and put all the parts from the original onto it and it works fine)

They are so versatile as to what media you put into it, and don't use cartridges you have to replace.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

Why replace the whole thing if it still does its job? Impellers and shafts are maintenance items, they're meant to be replaced. It's not a repair. Bit like replacing your car because the tires are worn.

 

[jaws7777]

It depends on what more cost effective. I love these workhorses

 

[FreshyFresh]

I've got AC30s, 70s and 110s in service. I dunno of any parts that are interchangeable between these models. Motors and all are difference sizes. The problem with the 30s is replacement impellers and shafts can almost be the same cost as a whole new mail-order filter if you catch a sale, etc.

I've tried a good 6 different make/model HOBs over the past 5-6yrs, including the new Seachem Tidal 110. For a HOB, I wouldn't buy anything but an Aquaclear.

 

[tiger15]

AC or any magnetic drive HOBs motor lasts forever. The only wear out part is the impeller, and you can replace them to eternity. However, the replacement impeller is not cheap, costs as much as 1/2 of a new AC.

Even worn out impeller still pumps water with nearly no reduction in performance, just makes annoying noise due to unbalanced rotation. If you don't mind the noise, you can keep it running forever.

I don't use AC anymore but have a 20+ year old AC in storage. I use it as an emergency spare filter.

I have been using the Penquin line of HOBs for the last 20 years, and not a single one has retired. But I have replaced impellers every 3 to 5 years, or whenever they make noise.

I save money by replacing the impeller with the next model lower; for example, I replaced my Penguin 370 with 170 or 200 impeller which is not only cheaper, but quieter and restarts more reliably due to oversized motor. It pumps less water but it's OK because all hobs have more flow capacity than media capacity, so pumping less means less frequent media cleaning.

I am positive that you can replace with lower model impeller for Whisper, and likely AC and other brands too, but I haven't tried myself.

 

[RD.]

I run AC 500's, old school, all over 15 yrs old, some older, and I haven't changed an AC impeller since I stopped using sand approx. a decade ago. Ditto to impeller shafts, both last for many years if one doesn't run sand through them. Unless you find a killer sale somewhere, it's cheaper to just replace the odd part here and there that gets abused from misuse, than to replace the entire filter. I bought a new AC 110 several years back when Petsmart had a 50% off sale, but I have never had to use it. I also have a handful of o-rings that I have never used, and impeller shafts, and a couple impellers. lol No sand, no problems. Maybe in another 10 years?

See Dennis at Gold Aquariums, he probably has the cheapest replacement parts in Calgary.

 

[RD.]

I save money by replacing the impeller with the next model lower

LMAO, no wonder your impellers are constantly getting gunked up, as you put it (reduced flow rate = more sheet sticking), and no wonder you are constantly removing them, cleaning them, and replacing them every few years. You failed to mention that factoid in the other recent AC discussion.

Yesiree, you are clearly saving money! lol