Had the same problem with my Aquaclear 50, tried to grease the impeller assembly with Vaseline and a bunch of other remedies people have suggested. Nothing worked. This was a problem because my fish tank is literally a foot away from my bed - there's nothing worse than trying to sleep next to a rattling aquarium filter! After battling the goddamned thing for a month I gave up and ended up replacing it with a Seachem Tidal which is much more solidly built and runs silent. Really poor quality control on the AC impellers it seems, lots of people have this rattling issue.
I completely disagree with you . I have seven aqua clear one tends I don't have a single problem with any of them . The newest one is three years old . Maybe you got a bad one and you should've exchanged it . But in regards to comparing that to the Tidal it's night and day, the Tidal is flimsy, less Go I, smaller so you can put less media in it and just a weaker filter. Because I like the company I actually bought to tidal filters, I hated them. Very cheaply made.
Wesley G I just bought a 110 and the same thing happens with mine. The impeller doesn’t spin freely and stutters just like his. Brand new out of the box! It seems to be the way they are made. The impeller isn’t touching anything, the motor skips a gear or something and it clicks every rotation making horrible noise.
The magnet itself causes the issue. 1 out of every 3 impellers will behave correctly. Silicone oil on the shaft does add a vibration reducer or resistance for a month or so. They do settle down after a month of debris coats the magnet bore. I have also noticed this on emperor filters after the magnet gets weak and or the bore or magnet shaft wears. If you note the more expensive pumps the impeller and shaft are more exact in design. The new tidal filters don't have this issue but there is a faint hum as it operates and the pump is submerged in the tank for more positive pressure on the impeller rather than the typical suction set up on the aquaclear and emperor filters,. So your issue really is cost cutting on the impeller magnets on suction pump designs. Again the tidal filters offer positive pressure and a more precise pump mfg.
Please don't attack people for having a rumbly AC unit, it is NOT the users, it's the product. I have multiple newer Aquaclears, assumed folks were just talking about the lid, then started up my new AC110 and it is a rumble beast. I used teflon tape to tighted the plastic piece of the impeller to the other bit and used plumbers grease on the shaft. It STILL makes some noise, but nowhere near as much, and the tank is in a spare room so I can deal with it. Eventually I'll try a replacement impeller and hope I get a 'good' one. Aside from the clickity clack from the impeller bouncing from the 'stop' I think it bounces a bit and taps on the body of the motor/inlet it sits in.
I bought a 110 14 years ago and it runs like a champ today last week I bought a 30 and it runs like crap definitely not the same engineering it used back then. I was told after 3 to 4 weeks after it builds slime the noise should stop.
The source of the Typical Humming vibration noise of Aquaclear HOB's is the Cover to the case. Was just checking if ANYONE has come up with a simple way to silence that vibration transfer to the case cover. As for the Impeller axles of Aquaclear Pumps: a very, very thin and imperceptible coating of Dow Molycoat 111 (Silicone Grease made for water and plumbing applications) works wonders. Especially for restarts after power outages.
Just put one of these online on my tank and I do hear what you're talking about. I certainly am not going to return the filter just for this, it's just not that bothersome and it's a fantastic unit otherwise. I agree on your assessment and good call. I suspect those who are saying to use a silicon oil, or Vaseline are just increasing rotational resistance which may help keep that plastic key in contact with the impeller but also add to wear of the shaft. Not a great solution. But it may also be dampening the speed changes. I also have to wonder, 'why?'. What's the point in not just having it connected, or better secured? I'm thinking a little microsurgery to place some rubber bumpers on either side of the key to soften the blow, maybe a couple cuts from a rubber band somehow adhered to it...
@@A.I.HeartStrings No, but I have found that after running a couple days the parts get a coating that definitely quiets it. But there's another source of noise and as some others have said, the cover. I think if you place a weight on it it will stop. For me it's not an issue though.
@@ChuckD59 Just removed the cover . Not a huge issue for me either, consider the quality of the filter. m just trying to reduce it as much as I can and Removing the cover reduces the noise minimally, acceptable . Thank you
Mine does rattle at times. When i clean the filter I also takes that part out and clean it what I noticed are 2 things the piece in middle the smallmetal rod might not be centered because mines smaller version slightly different built. I push it down ( three rotor part) and make sure it's centered. 2nd, I noticed in this" version there's isn't a rubber stopper type of piece that makes the rotor fit inside a sucker type of thing. Type of a piece where as mine had it on both ends and when you push it down you push it to hear all air escape so it's air tight otherwise yes that magnetic holder and rid in middle is not enough to center the roster. The smaller ones and othermodels by same brand I noticed are different build from mine and I believe it's what causes that ratteliu noise as mine did at times but I could at least manually adjust it plus it has the little rubber that goes into the hole if not pushed in all the way or if it's a little wet you will not get that air tight . You push down until you hear the excess water squeeze out and air out of the rotor holder socket . Like like these models just have a rod and magnet that sounds it so less likely you can do much to center it. They should stop manufacturing this router of model. I had various types and still find the Marineland ones the quietest and best
The small pump impeller operating on a suction system can't smooth out magnetic pulsation. Buy a tidal hob filter they know of and designed the pump and positive pump pressure operation to solve this issue. I have 2 tidal 110 filters on my 65 gallon marine tank. No issue at all running 6 months now.
Mine does this after cleaning, stops after a few hours. Maybe that’s due to debris not sure. And I concur the larger units are great but the 30 died on me after a few months.
Interesting, I had two Tidal filters and they were terrible, smaller than the AC one tends so less media,cheap build , less gallons per hour and I just didn't like the look of it and they were noisy . Aqua clear are the best HOB's by far . I don't believe it's a design flaw , some might be louder than others . Some people need to not give up so quickly and they need to investigate and troubleshoot I've done that plenty of times and my filters are quiet.
Add silicone gel to the impeller shaft. Solves alleged noise issue and extends the life of the impeller. Using theses over 10 years restarts by itself every time and current propeller is in use for three years. No noise or restart issues.
buy a new shaft.. easy to replace.. pull out with pliers and insert new one (on Amazon for $7) Should stop any problems.. Shaft should be replaced every few years..
Had the same problem with my Aquaclear 50, tried to grease the impeller assembly with Vaseline and a bunch of other remedies people have suggested. Nothing worked. This was a problem because my fish tank is literally a foot away from my bed - there's nothing worse than trying to sleep next to a rattling aquarium filter!
After battling the goddamned thing for a month I gave up and ended up replacing it with a Seachem Tidal which is much more solidly built and runs silent. Really poor quality control on the AC impellers it seems, lots of people have this rattling issue.
I completely disagree with you . I have seven aqua clear one tends I don't have a single problem with any of them . The newest one is three years old . Maybe you got a bad one and you should've exchanged it . But in regards to comparing that to the Tidal it's night and day, the Tidal is flimsy, less Go I, smaller so you can put less media in it and just a weaker filter. Because I like the company I actually bought to tidal filters, I hated them. Very cheaply made.
Wesley G I just bought a 110 and the same thing happens with mine. The impeller doesn’t spin freely and stutters just like his. Brand new out of the box! It seems to be the way they are made. The impeller isn’t touching anything, the motor skips a gear or something and it clicks every rotation making horrible noise.
The magnet itself causes the issue. 1 out of every 3 impellers will behave correctly. Silicone oil on the shaft does add a vibration reducer or resistance for a month or so. They do settle down after a month of debris coats the magnet bore. I have also noticed this on emperor filters after the magnet gets weak and or the bore or magnet shaft wears. If you note the more expensive pumps the impeller and shaft are more exact in design. The new tidal filters don't have this issue but there is a faint hum as it operates and the pump is submerged in the tank for more positive pressure on the impeller rather than the typical suction set up on the aquaclear and emperor filters,. So your issue really is cost cutting on the impeller magnets on suction pump designs. Again the tidal filters offer positive pressure and a more precise pump mfg.
I have seven AC 110's and I have not had a problem in the five years I've owned them so your theory is wrong .
Please don't attack people for having a rumbly AC unit, it is NOT the users, it's the product. I have multiple newer Aquaclears, assumed folks were just talking about the lid, then started up my new AC110 and it is a rumble beast. I used teflon tape to tighted the plastic piece of the impeller to the other bit and used plumbers grease on the shaft. It STILL makes some noise, but nowhere near as much, and the tank is in a spare room so I can deal with it. Eventually I'll try a replacement impeller and hope I get a 'good' one. Aside from the clickity clack from the impeller bouncing from the 'stop' I think it bounces a bit and taps on the body of the motor/inlet it sits in.
I bought a 110 14 years ago and it runs like a champ today last week I bought a 30 and it runs like crap definitely not the same engineering it used back then. I was told after 3 to 4 weeks after it builds slime the noise should stop.
Took 12 days for mine to build up the gunk that stops the bouncing
The source of the Typical Humming vibration noise of Aquaclear HOB's is the Cover to the case. Was just checking if ANYONE has come up with a simple way to silence that vibration transfer to the case cover. As for the Impeller axles of Aquaclear Pumps: a very, very thin and imperceptible coating of Dow Molycoat 111 (Silicone Grease made for water and plumbing applications) works wonders. Especially for restarts after power outages.
It’s definitely the impeller on mine. If case is vibrating you may want to use the plastic piece that comes with the HOB to better position it.
Just put one of these online on my tank and I do hear what you're talking about. I certainly am not going to return the filter just for this, it's just not that bothersome and it's a fantastic unit otherwise.
I agree on your assessment and good call. I suspect those who are saying to use a silicon oil, or Vaseline are just increasing rotational resistance which may help keep that plastic key in contact with the impeller but also add to wear of the shaft. Not a great solution. But it may also be dampening the speed changes. I also have to wonder, 'why?'. What's the point in not just having it connected, or better secured?
I'm thinking a little microsurgery to place some rubber bumpers on either side of the key to soften the blow, maybe a couple cuts from a rubber band somehow adhered to it...
I m having same issue right now and I was thinking the same thing. Did it work?
@@A.I.HeartStrings No, but I have found that after running a couple days the parts get a coating that definitely quiets it. But there's another source of noise and as some others have said, the cover. I think if you place a weight on it it will stop. For me it's not an issue though.
@@ChuckD59 Just removed the cover . Not a huge issue for me either, consider the quality of the filter. m just trying to reduce it as much as I can and Removing the cover reduces the noise minimally, acceptable . Thank you
Mine does rattle at times. When i clean the filter I also takes that part out and clean it what I noticed are 2 things the piece in middle the smallmetal rod might not be centered because mines smaller version slightly different built. I push it down ( three rotor part) and make sure it's centered. 2nd, I noticed in this" version there's isn't a rubber stopper type of piece that makes the rotor fit inside a sucker type of thing. Type of a piece where as mine had it on both ends and when you push it down you push it to hear all air escape so it's air tight otherwise yes that magnetic holder and rid in middle is not enough to center the roster. The smaller ones and othermodels by same brand I noticed are different build from mine and I believe it's what causes that ratteliu noise as mine did at times but I could at least manually adjust it plus it has the little rubber that goes into the hole if not pushed in all the way or if it's a little wet you will not get that air tight . You push down until you hear the excess water squeeze out and air out of the rotor holder socket . Like like these models just have a rod and magnet that sounds it so less likely you can do much to center it. They should stop manufacturing this router of model. I had various types and still find the Marineland ones the quietest and best
The small pump impeller operating on a suction system can't smooth out magnetic pulsation. Buy a tidal hob filter they know of and designed the pump and positive pump pressure operation to solve this issue. I have 2 tidal 110 filters on my 65 gallon marine tank. No issue at all running 6 months now.
Ive heard a lot of people say aquaclear filters are very good. I just bought a 110 and i regret it. Im having the same stuttering issue.
What if you glued the plastic to stay put ?
John Lewis that’s what I was wondering
John Lewis did you try it ?
What if you just wait the 2 weeks your suppose to wait for it to build up the bio gunk
Mine does this after cleaning, stops after a few hours. Maybe that’s due to debris not sure. And I concur the larger units are great but the 30 died on me after a few months.
I just bought one today and I have the same exact problem
do you believe it has to do with the unit being ac/dc & not dc power?
One last note the large round pump impeller on the tidal filter is also acting like a flywheel to smooth out magnetic pulsation.
Interesting, I had two Tidal filters and they were terrible, smaller than the AC one tends so less media,cheap build , less gallons per hour and I just didn't like the look of it and they were noisy . Aqua clear are the best HOB's by far . I don't believe it's a design flaw , some might be louder than others . Some people need to not give up so quickly and they need to investigate and troubleshoot I've done that plenty of times and my filters are quiet.
Add silicone gel to the impeller shaft. Solves alleged noise issue and extends the life of the impeller. Using theses over 10 years restarts by itself every time and current propeller is in use for three years. No noise or restart issues.
junk
How often do you reapply the silicon?
Bay a Seachem Tidal filter the best you can bay - and no saund.!
because it needs to run under water. When I start my filters up they all sound like that until I prime them. Then they are quiet.
No sir. Mine is 1 month old and makes this noise...
buy a new shaft.. easy to replace.. pull out with pliers and insert new one (on Amazon for $7) Should stop any problems.. Shaft should be replaced every few years..
lube the shaft with Teflon grease.....Vaseline will work...The new ones come lubricated..
Nice