Aqua clear 30 a bit too loud

[RainGamma]

just wondering why my aqua clear is loud. I took off the lid but it’s still too loud. I tried Vaseline and it seemed to help but obsly it doesn’t last forever. Some people said to wait two weeks but coming here to see some more advice.

 

[Colin_T]

What do you mean by loud?
Is it the water flowing back into the tank or the impellor rattling around in the motor?

AquaClear HOB (hang on back style) filters are normally very quiet and 99% of the noise they make is from the water flowing back into the tank.

If the impellor is making a noise, take the filter apart and clean it and make sure everything is in place, then get it running again. They don't have many moving parts and are normally very reliable.

 

[FishGuest5123]

I agree with Colin. I have Aqua Clear’s on 2 of my tanks and don’t hear a sound from either one. If it’s new, exchange it for another one. Good luck!

 

[Metalhead88]

Also, make sure the inlet tube is aligned and pushed down towards the impeller.

Does it sound like somethings rattling? Or more of a clicking sound?

I've only had 1 issue with an ac filter being loud. It was very old and the impeller was wobbling all over the place. It would get stuck every once in a while until I eventually replaced it.

 

[AbbeysDad]

And don't put Vaseline on an impeller magnet no matter what the internet 'says'. it's like the Crazy Russian that uses WD40 on car paint scrapes! Vaseline will just attract crud you don't want there. IF the impeller is rattling around, it may be worn and likely needs to be replaced or the pin is bent. As mentioned, if new, exchange it. If not, a new impeller may do the trick. You also may have crud in the magnet cavity so make sure it's good and clean.

Note: AC impeller magnets sit over a stainless steel pin. Sometimes the pin or the magnet hole wears so there is slop causing the impeller to rotate out of round (wobble) and make noise.
(I've had three (3) Aquaclear HOB filters for well over ten (10) years.)

 

[Kritastrophe]

I had a temporary problem with an aquaclear when it was new. The rotor kept randomly stopping and it made a grinding sound. Some sand got pulled into it, cleaned it out and it’s worked since zero issues. If you have sand that would be the first thing I’d check.

 

[RainGamma]

Also, make sure the inlet tube is aligned and pushed down towards the impeller.

Does it sound like somethings rattling? Or more of a clicking sound?

I've only had 1 issue with an ac filter being loud. It was very old and the impeller was wobbling all over the place. It would get stuck every once in a while until I eventually replaced it.

Rattling

 

[RainGamma]

I had a temporary problem with an aquaclear when it was new. The rotor kept randomly stopping and it made a grinding sound. Some sand got pulled into it, cleaned it out and it’s worked since zero issues. If you have sand that would be the first thing I’d check.

I don’t use sand so I’m good on that. It seems quieter without the lid.

 

[seangee]

Malaysian trumpet snails?
Nope I'm not kidding. Had to clean one of my pumps out yesterday cos they had managed to get in, and then grew too big in there to get back out.

 

[RainGamma]

There is no fish at the moment but I’m gonna add my betta in soon

 

[RainGamma]

And don't put Vaseline on an impeller magnet no matter what the internet 'says'. it's like the Crazy Russian that uses WD40 on car paint scrapes! Vaseline will just attract crud you don't want there. IF the impeller is rattling around, it may be worn and likely needs to be replaced or the pin is bent. As mentioned, if new, exchange it. If not, a new impeller may do the trick. You also may have crud in the magnet cavity so make sure it's good and clean.

Note: AC impeller magnets sit over a stainless steel pin. Sometimes the pin or the magnet hole wears so there is slop causing the impeller to rotate out of round (wobble) and make noise.
(I've had three (3) Aquaclear HOB filters for well over ten (10) years.)

It’s all clean

 

[Fishmanic]

just for a temporary test...tape down the lid and see if noise goes away....it may be slightly warped and vibrating - causing the noise. If that quiets it, you might want to just put a small weight on the id to keep it from rattling

also make sure the filter is level...there is a piece under the filter that can be rotated to make it level...unless perhaps it got lost as it can fall off easily..if it's missing and filter is not level, put wadded up cloth between the lower part of the filter and the tank to level filtrer

 

[RainGamma]

just for a temporary test...tape down the lid and see if noise goes away....it may be slightly wapped and vibrating - causing the noise. If that quiets it, you might want to just put a small weight on the lid to keep it from rattling

also make sure the filter is level...there is a piece under the filter that can be rotated to make it level...unless perhaps iit got lost as it can fall off easily..if it's missing and filter is not level, put wadded up cloth between the lower part of the filter and the tank to level filtrer

Yeah it quiets it down. I hear like a little noise of the mortar. But it’s quieter

 

[RainGamma]

just for a temporary test...tape down the lid and see if noise goes away....it may be slightly wapped and vibrating - causing the noise. If that quiets it, you might want to just put a small weight on the lid to keep it from rattling

also make sure the filter is level...there is a piece under the filter that can be rotated to make it level...unless perhaps iit got lost as it can fall off easily..if it's missing and filter is not level, put wadded up cloth between the lower part of the filter and the tank to level filtrer

I have the level

 

[AbbeysDad]

I'm not much for ornaments inside a tank, but these fish on the AC tops stop any rattling....