Aqua One Wet/dry Tickle Thingy

[MermaidMel]

On one of my tanks the water flow is going left and right
On the other tank the water flow is only going off to the right, as I thought it was meant to just go off this way. Up through the powerhead which is on the left, out the sprayer thingy into the higher up chamber, into the lower down chamber then out the hole into the tank. But the other tank is overflowing back on itself too. I can't work out if its causing any problems or not.
Anyone got anything intelligent to add to this mush of an explanation. Sorry for my shockingly bad non-technical way of putting things

 

[Yetti]

Maybe the output is clogged up a bit and that may force the water out of the sides.

 

[doresy]

which model number tanks are they?

 

[MermaidMel]

Hey nothing clogged, all been cleaned yesterday.
Model AR620 both tanks x

 

[MermaidMel]

Any ideas anyone?

 

[MermaidMel]

Still need help please x

 

[Benauld]

Hi,

When I was deciding which tank to get this was one of the problems that came up with the Aquaone. (In the end I went for one of them anyway and just put an external filter on it instead of the trickle.) Anyway, it appears to be something of a design fault on them, from what I have managed to glean. The water backs up when the media becomes clogged (it needs cleaning in tank water frequently) and essentially returns untreated water back into the tank. This shouldn't be a problem depending upon your stocking, it just means that the turnover in terms of gph will be lower than that stated in the manual. I'd check the return side and make sure it isn't clogged/blocked, then when you next do a water change give the media a thorough clean!

Other than changing the filter completely for an external this is all I can suggest. Perhaps someone else with a little more knowledge will be along...

Hope this helps!

P.S. Just a thought: I don't know if you can, as I threw mine away, but can you attenuate the flow from the spray bar by adjusting the powerhead?

 

[MermaidMel]

Hi Ben

Thanks for the reply.

I cleaned the media just yesterday and have only noticed the return since then. This is why I'm so stumped lol.

I don't have the first clue about external filtration. At the moment there is a 2" bristlenose in there, 5 jumbo congo tetra, 1 baby flying fox, 1 khuli loach, 2 frogs, 2 barbs and 2 panda cory.

I've been trawling the internet for similar problems, but haven't come across anything. But I did read that the water level should come below the discharge adapter - I'm assuming this is the little black attachment that goes in the hole on the right hand side? This would make the water level about 2" below the hood - but might that help do you think? Cosmetically speaking it would look rubbish - I like the top of the water level to be hidden by the hood, however if it's going to help my tank and the fish, I wouldn't hesitate. What do you reckon?

 

[Benauld]

Yeah, I'd try lowering the water level first. IIRC, the powerhead that came with mine had a maximum fill line. Failing that, on mine there is a vaguely "U" shaped notch leading to the return chamber. If you widened this, (even to the very back of the tank, as long as you don't go through it!), the flow to the discharge side should be larger, therefore reducing the amount being returned via the intake side.

Either way I hope you manage to sort it!

 

[MermaidMel]

It's a nightmare. It's worse today and returning loads of crud into the tank which I keep having to net out. It's distressing me (but not the fish thank god)

What external filter do you use with yours Ben?? I have seen how external filters are set up and am worried that the pipes/taps won't find a way out of the back of the tank, if that makes sense.

Also, I can't lower the water level right now because my heaters need to be fully submerged.

 

[MermaidMel]

Hey guess what, now the fuse has blown on the cable tidy and I've had to move the fish I could catch into the new uncycled tank so I can sort out the fuse AND the filter. I can't catch half the fish - they are going mental.

I rang Aqua One and they told me its caused by detritus trapped in the trays, that the filter unit needs removing and emptying into the sink.

So where would the fish be safer? In the new uncycled tank or in bags/bucket indefinitely whilst I sort the problem. I'm stressing out, because I've had my fish for ages and now I bet they will die.

 

[merry78]

in either storage tank/container, as long as you keep doing massive water changes (like 30% twice daily or something).
best of luck.....you've had pretty bad luck so far!!

 

[MermaidMel]

Yes I have it was the fuse, but now the motor's burnt out on the power head so it needs to be replaced. I can't get hold of the frogs, khuli loach, flying fox, barbs, bristlenose or the frogs to move them, so whilst they have the heater on in the tank, no filter is going. I've got my hydor 1 going and Aqua One are sending me out another power head. Will they all be ok in there?

 

[merry78]

hopefully! Your best way to help them imo is very, very frequent water changes.

 

[Benauld]

As I see it you can do one of two things, either:

1] Try to maintain the aquaone. Assuming that you still have some water flow through the filter compartment, that is, so that your filter bacteria don't die. You have to make a judgement call on this and decide what you will do... Choosing this one would mean leaving the stock in the aquaone, obviously.

OR, (if you are unsure whether your bacteria will be maintained)

2] Move the existing media from the aquaone into the uncycled tank. Remove as much water as you can from the aquaone, and catch the remainder of the inhabitants to move them across. It would also be worth swapping the water, for that in the aquaone, to keep the water parameters more or less equal.

I have to say, I don't envy you. You seem to be having some terrible luck! Still, they say it comes in threes, so keep an eye out!

As for your original question I've swapped to a Tetratec EX700. I had to do some DIY on the back of the tank to allow access for the intake and return pipes, but this was a piece of cake with a dremel [sp?] (a handheld rotary powertool). I'd think similar results could be achieved with a common hacksaw if you were careful. None of this can be seen, unless you stand directly behind my tank, which is about 1 foot from a wall! I can post some pictures if you would like?

Anyway, hope you manage to get everything sorted. Good Luck!