Filter stopped working after only a week!

**j250nyahweh** · 11-09-2012, 04:03 PM

I had an Aquaclear 110 that I've had for a couple years that stopped working. I bought another one of the exact same model to replace it so I could use all the same media and it's only been about a week and it has stopped working as well. I guess Fluval bought Aquaclear out because it's Fluval now but it's the same thing.
Are there any fixable reasons that anyone can think of that would cause a filter to stop working after only a week? I can't find any clogs anywhere, in fact, when I put new water into the filter it all drains out, I assume, through the down spout (or whatever you'd call that)

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

**ijankrom** · 11-09-2012, 04:27 PM

Can you tell by listening if there's electricity going to the motor? I once had to clean the shaft the impeller fits on. The shaft was moving but the impeller wasn't. Otherwise the motor may be burned out. If you loose power the water is sucked back into the tank though the intake stem leaving very little in the reservoir. Once the power comes pack it's no longer primed and the motor will eventually burn out if water is not added. Can't you just take it back, or did you buy on eBay or something like that?

**j250nyahweh** · 11-09-2012, 05:49 PM

I tried listening for any humming but being in a band and playing really loud music at least twice a week has done a real number on my hearing (was a little late in resorting to ear plugs). I thought I could hear something faintly but I couldn't be sure.
I can certainly just take it back, but as this is the second time this has happened with the exact same model I wanted to see if there was anything else that could've caused it before I resort to wasting gas and getting yet a third filter. I really like this style filter and don't want to hassle with trying to fit my media into a different style filter, and I'm sure has h-e-(double hockey sticks) not trying to cycle new media...
thanks for the response

**tate8** · 11-09-2012, 06:21 PM

Remove it from the tank. Empty the water from it and twist off the motor from the bottom. Give the impeller a flick and see if it starts turning. Mine hangs up all the time.

**j250nyahweh** · 11-09-2012, 06:36 PM

Right on, I'll do that tonight, thanks!
I just changed to a different substrate, it's a larger granule sand than I had before, is it possible that the sand is jamming it up? I didn't think it was sucking hard enough to pull the sand through the intake but I suppose it could be.

Also, sometimes I'll forget to switch it back to full flow after feeding the fish so it'll stay on partial flow for a day or so. Could that cause the motor to burn out?

**tate8** · 11-09-2012, 06:53 PM

Adjusting the flow will not cause harm to the motor. You can run it at low flow indefinitely. I keep my AC 50 on low on my 15 gallon.

**Lady Hobbs** · 11-09-2012, 10:26 PM

I would simply lift the tube up, lift the impeller out and drop it back in place. Could be a grain of sand got stuck between in the impeller causing it to stop running. Make sure you have filled the box with water, too, so it's primed.

**madagascariensis** · 11-10-2012, 01:48 AM

one of my aquaclears(always the same one) doesn't restart
every time after I turn it back on after a water change. the motor's
fine but the impeller just won't start spinning. what I usually do is turn the
intake tube to "low flow" position to expose the impeller then take a paintbrush and
push tthe impeller in a clockwise direction to give it a "starting nudge". make sure you move the intake back to "high flow" when done.

**gadget228** · 11-10-2012, 10:31 AM

How high do you keep the water level in your tank ? If kept too low the filter will siphon the water out of the reservoir every time the filter loses power or is shut off.