I have two AC110s with what I assume are sand issues.
The first was brand new (bought when they were $35) and was just a backup. The first time I turned it on it made clicking noises if I opened it to full throttle. It was fine when I lowered the flow though. Over time, it started making the clicking noise every time no matter what. I tossed it in a box and forgot about it, since it was just an extra.
Today I came home from a 4 day weekend and the other one, which has been issue-free for 3 years, had stopped running and my growout tank looked like crap since the AC50 with it wasn't getting the job done. I unhooked it, cleaned it out (there was sand in the bottom), and found that the impeller was basically stuck. Pulled that out, stuck a pipe cleaner in there for a while, rinsed and cleaned the impeller, and fired it back up... it works.
But it periodically makes a sound that rivals nails on a chalkboard. Not clicking like the other one, but loud sustained noises kind of like a higher pitched version of a desk or chair being dragged across the floor.
It makes sense that in a 20g growout the intake would be close enough to to pull in some sand, so I'll have to do something about that. But is there a way to really clean that chamber out all the way? Or is it safe to lubricate it? I noticed that the impeller didn't just snap right in like the magnet usually does (I tried both in the other motor, as well as the other impeller in this) - it seemed like there was some friction. And that explains the noise. I just don't know if it's a legit and/or safe fix to rub some vaseline in there or something. I would think that'd probably fix one if not both of these, but am afraid to try it. Has anyone ever done this?
I also saw an older thread where someone said you could replace just the metal rod. Is there a place that sells just the individual pieces to these filters cheaply enough that it doesn't just make more sense to buy a new filter? I'd love to just be able to order some backup pieces. Not sure which part is to blame though - the impeller, the rod, or the motor.
The first was brand new (bought when they were $35) and was just a backup. The first time I turned it on it made clicking noises if I opened it to full throttle. It was fine when I lowered the flow though. Over time, it started making the clicking noise every time no matter what. I tossed it in a box and forgot about it, since it was just an extra.
Today I came home from a 4 day weekend and the other one, which has been issue-free for 3 years, had stopped running and my growout tank looked like crap since the AC50 with it wasn't getting the job done. I unhooked it, cleaned it out (there was sand in the bottom), and found that the impeller was basically stuck. Pulled that out, stuck a pipe cleaner in there for a while, rinsed and cleaned the impeller, and fired it back up... it works.
But it periodically makes a sound that rivals nails on a chalkboard. Not clicking like the other one, but loud sustained noises kind of like a higher pitched version of a desk or chair being dragged across the floor.
It makes sense that in a 20g growout the intake would be close enough to to pull in some sand, so I'll have to do something about that. But is there a way to really clean that chamber out all the way? Or is it safe to lubricate it? I noticed that the impeller didn't just snap right in like the magnet usually does (I tried both in the other motor, as well as the other impeller in this) - it seemed like there was some friction. And that explains the noise. I just don't know if it's a legit and/or safe fix to rub some vaseline in there or something. I would think that'd probably fix one if not both of these, but am afraid to try it. Has anyone ever done this?
I also saw an older thread where someone said you could replace just the metal rod. Is there a place that sells just the individual pieces to these filters cheaply enough that it doesn't just make more sense to buy a new filter? I'd love to just be able to order some backup pieces. Not sure which part is to blame though - the impeller, the rod, or the motor.
