Problems with AC20 Impeller

[raulfd4]

I did my water change as usual, unplugging my filters in order to clean them and replace the proper media. However, when I went to plug them back in, after refilling them for priming, only one turned back on successfully.

I took the other one apart and checked to see if the impeller was working. When I plugged it in, I could feel the vibration of the motor moving, but the actual blade of the impeller was not moving. Being the technical genius I am, I simply fiddled around with it a bit and plugged it back in - Nice! It was spinning again. I ran it under water while spinning and it was still working, so I re-attached the whole impeller portion of the filter, re-primed and plugged back in. Still no suction.

I am going to continue to fiddle, but I do need some expert advice. The filter is only like four months old and hasn't given me any previous problems.

How can I fix it?

:ariel:

[rich311k]

I usually just flick it with a pencil point when it wont restart and it fires right up. Did you put water in the filter when you restarted?

[little hawaii]

I did my water change as usual, unplugging my filters in order to clean them and replace the proper media. However, when I went to plug them back in, after refilling them for priming, only one turned back on successfully.

I took the other one apart and checked to see if the impeller was working. When I plugged it in, I could feel the vibration of the motor moving, but the actual blade of the impeller was not moving. Being the technical genius I am, I simply fiddled around with it a bit and plugged it back in - Nice! It was spinning again. I ran it under water while spinning and it was still working, so I re-attached the whole impeller portion of the filter, re-primed and plugged back in. Still no suction.

I am going to continue to fiddle, but I do need some expert advice. The filter is only like four months old and hasn't given me any previous problems.

How can I fix it?

:ariel:


If you are sure it is prime, makesure the impeller is installed corectly or it can bind. I have one I have to give a little kick every time i restart it. Hope that helps.

[ybmarmot]

I've got an AC70 and AQC110. They've been on a 55g for 8 days. One started getting a little noisier than when new. I opened up the impeller compartment and cleaned out both impeller seats with a "Q" tip. Quiet as a mouse again. Try it!

[raulfd4]

Thanks for the tips, folks. I was able to tinker with it a bit and got it going again. I like the q-tip cleaning tip especially.

Thanks again!

[toddnbecka]

If anything (small bit of gravel, snail shell, etc.) gets sucked up the intake it may jam the impeller. Usually "bumping" the fan blades will get it going again. If you hear something rattling unplug it, pour the water out, and remove the motor from the case. The impeller can then be pulled out and the impeller well cleaned.
That should be done occaisonally in any case, over time the impeller magnet tends to accumulate slime and should be cleaned.

[jaysee]

I've found that cutting back the flow rate helps it along. Once it's flowing, I turn it back to full flow.

[Lady Hobbs]

I just my finger in the hole, get the impellor spinning then drop the tube back down in place. It sounds to me as the tube is not seeded down properly more than the impeller but check the shaft of the impeller to make sure no little hairs are around it. You can pull them off with twizzers if there.