Help! New Aquaclear 50 Making Noise

[augustaranger]

Just set up my first real tank last night! Got a 20 gal. high with an Aquaclear 50 filter. Besides the normal hum from the motor and the sound of the water coming out of the filter, it's making sort of a grinding or crunching noise. I even took the filter apart to look inside, because it sounded like gravel swirling around in there. Everything looked OK to me.

Anybody know what the noise is? Should I exchange it for another? Thanks!

 

[rsands]

is the filter/impellor damaged in anyway?

 

[augustaranger]

To my newbie eyes, everything looks OK. The filter is brand new, right out of the box.

 

[fishwatcher]

I have that exact same brand, and it does that from time to time. If it doesn't stop though I'd take it back to the store.
So far mine hasn't failed, but I always check it to make sure it's still running.

 

[SouthernCross]

I'm not sure if you mean its fully functioning and still making the noise constantly or its when you're trying to prime it/get it going.
Mine always does that when I've had it turned off to clean it or whatever - if its not full enough of water when I turn it back on it kinda coughs and splutters - I just grab a plastic cup and keep topping it up until the noise stops and it flows normally.

 

[augustaranger]

It seems to be fully functioning, but is constantly making the noise. It has a really good flow of water with a constant stream, but the noise doesn't stop.

 

[Viettxboii]

I'm not sure if you mean its fully functioning and still making the noise constantly or its when you're trying to prime it/get it going.
Mine always does that when I've had it turned off to clean it or whatever - if its not full enough of water when I turn it back on it kinda coughs and splutters - I just grab a plastic cup and keep topping it up until the noise stops and it flows normally.

What i do as well...
With ac filters id do what some above posts have said, i just revently purchased he 50 as well, nothing had happened(orig boought a 70 was being yah..thrashing aroudn the fish a bit as welll...)

 

[fishwatcher]

If it's making noise while it's running, I'd take it back. Just drop your media in the tank while you're gone to keep the bacteria alive.

 

[augustaranger]

Mystery solved! I realized that bubbles coming from the air curtain were going directly into the filter intake. I have moved the air curtain and no more noise! Thanks for the imput.

 

[fishwatcher]

LOL! I should have thought of that... that's happened to me before!
(By the way, did you get that filter from Bob's?)

 

[PRW1988]

I have the same filter, it quieted down after about a day... Did you make sure to prime the filter? because (no offense) but that seems to be a very beginner mistake that I get all the time when I work at my LPS. People always say "oh my filters broken, I plug it in and it makes odd noises and no water gets sucked up..." I asked if they primed it, they ask me "what's that do?"... lol no offense yet again, but it should be fine.

 

[augustaranger]

The filter is doing great now. I even have it on the highest setting and it's running really quiet.

 

[fishwatcher]

Good to hear!

 

[PRW1988]

good good