Rachel

I've had aquariums for umm, around 20 years or so. (ick, I'm showing my age!) I've found what works for me and have rolled with it.
Aquaclears - I've used them for years. They are easy, quiet, dependable, filter well and were inexpensive. I rarely had any issues and rarely had to replace them. And when I did, dropping $20 every 2-3 years or so, wasn't a big deal.

I've got 3 running in 3 different tanks and am at my wits end. They've gotten loud. I can't get them to hush. I've tried everything I know to do, they won't stop. I'm losing my mind. Constant vibration. And they are constantly getting clogged, thus reducing flow. I'm contemplating allowing my husband use them for target practice with his new rifle.

So, I'm thinking maybe it's time to replace them. Normally, this isn't a big deal. BUT, they are now $40+ each. WTF?! Are you kidding me? What has happened? All HOB filters seem to be priced like this now. What is going on? They're plastic!

One tank is 30G. What are ya'll using to filter basic, low maintenance, tanks? Still using Aquaclears?

davemonkey

Most planted tanks have canister filters to give more control over surface ripple (more ripple means more CO2 loss, which is no good in a planted tank). However, many use theh Hang-on-back filters and I've seen every brand name out there in this website. There are even some that use no filter at all.

Filters are just like everything else now-a-days. Prices are going up. I bet a good cleaning and a new impeller (if they are available for your model) would fix the noise problem, though.

-Dave

Seattle_Aquarist

Hi Rachel,

Noisy HOB filters like Aquaclear are usually caused by a worn impeller, rubber cups on the shaft of the impeller, or impeller shaft itself. You might take the loudest one and try replacing the impeller, impeller shaft, and end caps and see if it stops vibrating.

Rachel

Impeller, impeller shaft and end caps....hmmm.....
Pictures say a 10000 words, especially to a visual chick such as myself. heh heh

I found the impeller assembly, is this what you're talking about?
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214680/product.web

davemonkey

Yep, that's it. When you take out an old one, see if it has a shaft with it (usaully a VERY thin ceramic rod with rubber boots to hold the impeller in place....canister filters have them, my HOB filter had the shaft and boot fixed to the impeller as one unit).

-Dave

oakleyhoma

this could be it, I replaced impeller on an AC 50- fixed it right up.

Seattle_Aquarist

Hi oakleyhoma,

Glad to hear that it helped!