Problem with both my filters at the same time!

[TheLorax]

Ok, so I have a Fluval FX5 (bought new 10 months ago), and an Eheim 2217 (old and used, came with my tank) running on my 135 gallon CA/SA cichlid tank. The eheim was noisy when i bought it so i replaced the impeller and shaft and it ran smoothly until a couple months ago when it somehow got un-primed, if that makes sense, and was running dry for God knows how long until I noticed. I set it back up a week ago, and it's been working but it's noisy again, so I don't think I can depend on it.

My Fluval was fine until a month ago, when a cat my bro was babysitting punched a hole in the intake hose. After I replaced the hose, the filter started making a noise like there were air bubbles getting in. I took it apart, cleaned it, and tried two new hoses but it still made that noise. It ran fine other than that so I ignored it. Today, it stopped running and is making a buzzing sound. What could be the problem?? I'm about to take it apart, but I doubt that will solve anything, since I checked for obstructions, etc last time and didn't find anything. I will say this, I have sand as my substrate, and I generally find some sand in the filter when I clean it.

Also, I have a fine filter pad in there, but I don't think it's clogging up my filter. Regardless, are these rinseable like the rest of the foam, or should I throw it away and replace it?

 

[F1 VET]

Ok, so I have a Fluval FX5 (bought new 10 months ago), and an Eheim 2217 (old and used, came with my tank) running on my 135 gallon CA/SA cichlid tank. The eheim was noisy when i bought it so i replaced the impeller and shaft and it ran smoothly until a couple months ago when it somehow got un-primed, if that makes sense, and was running dry for God knows how long until I noticed. I set it back up a week ago, and it's been working but it's noisy again, so I don't think I can depend on it.

My Fluval was fine until a month ago, when a cat my bro was babysitting punched a hole in the intake hose. After I replaced the hose, the filter started making a noise like there were air bubbles getting in. I took it apart, cleaned it, and tried two new hoses but it still made that noise. It ran fine other than that so I ignored it. Today, it stopped running and is making a buzzing sound. What could be the problem?? I'm about to take it apart, but I doubt that will solve anything, since I checked for obstructions, etc last time and didn't find anything. I will say this, I have sand as my substrate, and I generally find some sand in the filter when I clean it.

Also, I have a fine filter pad in there, but I don't think it's clogging up my filter. Regardless, are these rinseable like the rest of the foam, or should I throw it away and replace it?

How long did it run with a puncture? It could of suffered damage from that, the magnet could be knicked making it spin off center, look at impelled/housing.



Go S. Vettel #1 rb8

 

[TheLorax]

Not long, maybe a few hours. I just took it apart, took the impeller out and cleaned it really well. There was a lot of gunk but no sand. I guess I never cleaned it that thoroughly. Seems to be working but the output part is leaking now! It wont fit down all the way, apparently because one of the two O-rings is all messed up. I'm looking for the stuff that came with the box, do they usually have extra O-rings?

 

[TheLorax]

Apparently it came with an extra valve, but no O-rings. I managed to get the valve to seat all the way with the bent O-ring and it's not leaking anymore. It was still making that "air getting in" sound, though. So as a last ditch effort, I tried tightening the hose clamp on the hose I replaced as tight as possible.....and it appears to have worked! Filter is running smoothly again, at least for now. I hope a fellow inexperienced user can benefit from this thread.

 

[bbortko]

No extra o-rings but they cost about a quarter at hardware stores and supply houses.