Proper way to effectively clean a Filter/Impeller?

[PaiLum92]

After me last water change (less than 14 hours ago), my filter has been running just fine, but it makes a strange grinding noise all of the sudden. No sand got stirred up when I vacuumed, the intake tube is secure, etc etc…

All I need to know is how to effectively clean the filter, including the Impeller, without getting water everywhere/inside the cord area (I tried to clean a filter once when I just started keeping fish and water got inside the cord guard area and ruined the filter)… basically all I know about this filter is not to mess with/wash the bio-wheels…

Filter: Marineland Emperor 400 (Bio-Wheel power Filter)


(Also, I’m going to buy a 50ft hose for water changes in the next few days from Petsmart, I was wondering how I would siphon the water out of the tank? I know how to with just a short 5-6ft hose into a bucket, but this is a 50ft hose from my room/tank to the bathtub… It comes with different knobs and dials, should I just mess around with them until something gets the water pumping from my tank to the tub?)(I would get a python, but neither my local Petsmart/Petco has one, nor my other LFS's...)
Thanks for the help, Caleb S.

 

[ziggy2]

You should be able to pull the impeller out. I like to pull it out and rinse it in aquarium water. Mine used to screach when it got dry.

 

[Pandamania]

"Mouth full of tank water", thread by 'fishmamma', check it out for info on how to's and other equipment for siphoning.

 

[Pandamania]

your water filter with the bio-wheel, didn't it come with directions? You can 'Google' that brand and model to get directions for proper maintenance.

 

[bbortko]

When I had an emperor I'd remove the impeller and wipe it and the housing with a paper towel. this went on without a hitch for 8 years, probably would still be doing it had I not switched to canisters when I upsized my tank.