New Filter

[PrairieSunflower]

Lately, my filter has been getting difficult to start up again after water changes, so I am taking that as a sign and buying a new one come payday (in another week).

I just want to be 100% sure that I am right... I am going to buy the same model of filter... now... if I just put the two sponges and biomax cartridge in the new one... then I can run it straight away without any glitches or problems, right?

 

[MBOU]

Yep, just swap old media into new filter and keep the new media as spares. and off you go!

What is the filter that you are having trouble with?

 

[thereverendturtle]

Sometimes the impeller and housing just need a thorough cleaning.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Its a Fluval U3. I did originally buy it second hand so I don't know the exact age. I think it might actually be the motor as I turn it on and it makes no noise whatsoever and I end up having to shake it up and down before it works again. I do clean the spinny thing (is that the impellor) regularily and have only just cleaned it out last week. I also used to have sand a couple months back and I am wondering if that may have done some damage.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Sand can get between the impeller (the spinny thing) and the motor housing and cause drag. Take the motor off, remove the impeller and rinse both well in the sink. I have many aquaclears, the predecessor to the fluvals, and every now and then they do the same thing. When they do, I know its time for a good cleaning. I've had one for over 20 years now, so I would think a new one would last much longer. Tho they don't make things the way they used too.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

Oh, I didn't know I could pull the impeller off, I always clean around it and put it under the tap for vigorous cleaning.

 

[MBOU]

Ohhh nooooo you *need* to take the impeller out or it wont be clean! You might need tweezers of scissors to pull it out and give it a clean. Use a cotton bud to clean the hole where the impeller goes as well and you might find it runs fine!

 

[fluttermoth]

On the other hand, I've heard a lot of people complain about the U series being disinclined to start again; I have a U3 that's like it sometimes.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I shall give that a try and see how it goes, maybe that is my entire problem!

 

[PrairieSunflower]

There, have gone away and cleaned it. The impeller came out easily and was quite gunked up. My filter came on straight away when I plugged it in so hopefully that might be it!

Thanks! Glad I posted... would never have thought there was potential that I could maybe fix the issue myself! Will keep an eye on it to see if it keeps up being easy to start.

 

[MBOU]

I still stand by the thought that most people that have issues with the U series of filters have overlooked something.

Not all, i know... and i dont even like the filters, too big and clunky imo... but do the job (though not what it say on the lable).

But they are fiddly and have so many places for dirt to build up and block, mainly the impeller, the bottom of the blue biomedia casing where the water needs to pass through, the white/grey? pipe that goes towards the outlet gets blocked easily. Adding extra biomedia to what it comes with can effect flow and starting up or it might be somethnig simple as the filter went too long between cleans and the back pressure broke the impeller.

Impeller problems arent covered under warrantee and yet so many people forget to/dont bother/dont know they need to clean the impeller. It goes for all pumps though, pond pumps are the worst for it! People get stroppy when a pond pump wont be replaced under warrantee when its clear the impellers not been cleaned and is the cause of the fault.

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I do clean the rest of it regularily as the gunk builds up so quickly... at the bottom of the biomax bit as you say and in that long shaft bit... which is a #28### to clean! I will also take a look at my other two filters to see if those impellers come off as well as I've never cleaned those ones either... other than on the outside.


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Whoa... the sensor must be strong on this forum! I didn't even use a swear!

 

[thereverendturtle]

Glad to be of service. I have yet to find a filter or pump that the impeller doesn't come out of. Just be very careful if they have a ceramic shaft, as they can break quite easily.