Silencing AquaClear Filter

[_Mitch_]

Like the title states, my new AC70 is pretty friggin' noisy. It seems the bulk of the noise is coming from the motor housing. Does anyone have any tips on how to make this filter a little bit quieter? I sleep right next to my tank so it's kind of a pain to listen to that rumbling.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[nor_cal_nano]

I'd try taking it apart and cleaning it. There my be some sand and crap grinding around in there.

[BLoCkCliMbeR]

is it modded?

 

if its modded by breaking the fins, its unbalanced and will just continue to grind away probably.

 

if this is the case, replace the impeller. an AC50 impeller will drop right in if you need slower flow.

[spacemonk]

I had the same problem with AC30 and AC110. The impeller cover is too tight causing moving impeller blade to grind. Lift it up a bit to give room. Other cause might be worn out shaft causing impeller to wobble and making noise.

[jgpico]

I just took some filter floss and balled it up and shoved it between the motor and the bottom of the filter if that makes sense. It stopped the noise and I haven't had any issues since.

[tam]

I just took some filter floss and balled it up and shoved it between the motor and the bottom of the filter if that makes sense. It stopped the noise and I haven't had any issues since.

 

I'd rather take the filter apart and figure out what is causing the noise. Your method, although effective in silencing the noise is only masking the problem. Not going to the root of the problem will only prolong the inevitable. One day the impeller could get stuck/stop (insert finding nemo scene here) and/or the motor could burn out. It doesn't take but a few minutes to take the filter apart, clean the inside of the motor, and reseat the impeller/cover plate.

[jgpico]

No I took apart the filter and cleaned everything. The propellar wasn't modded, there was not any sand or anything in the motor. I have had a couple of these filters and some are noisy some aren't. The majority of the noise was because of vibration. Sticking filter floss there fixed the issue of the vibration. I'm not a duck tape it and think its fixed kind of guy.

[_Mitch_]

I'd try taking it apart and cleaning it. There my be some sand and crap grinding around in there.

 

I just set it up yesterday? There can't be much of anything in there after only 1 day.

 

is it modded?

 

if its modded by breaking the fins, its unbalanced and will just continue to grind away probably.

 

if this is the case, replace the impeller. an AC50 impeller will drop right in if you need slower flow.

 

Didn't mod the impeller. Instead I may use an impeller from a smaller filter.

 

I had the same problem with AC30 and AC110. The impeller cover is too tight causing moving impeller blade to grind. Lift it up a bit to give room. Other cause might be worn out shaft causing impeller to wobble and making noise.

 

How do I lift it up?

[nor_cal_nano]

Yeah, I didn't catch that "new" part.

[tam]

No I took apart the filter and cleaned everything. The propellar wasn't modded, there was not any sand or anything in the motor. I have had a couple of these filters and some are noisy some aren't. The majority of the noise was because of vibration. Sticking filter floss there fixed the issue of the vibration. I'm not a duck tape it and think its fixed kind of guy.

 

 

Gotcha, I too have had many Aqua Clear filters (still do) and have never had a problem with noise or excessive vibration. That's why I offered up my suggestions.

[tam]

I just set it up yesterday? There can't be much of anything in there after only 1 day.

 

 

 

Didn't mod the impeller. Instead I may use an impeller from a smaller filter.

 

 

 

How do I lift it up?

 

Take out the media basket and pull up on it from that side

[_Mitch_]

Take out the media basket and pull up on it from that side

 

I don't really have a media basket... it's modified to be a 'fuge. Are you talking about the part that goes over the motor housing? No clue what to call it haha.

[tam]

I don't really have a media basket... it's modified to be a 'fuge. Are you talking about the part that goes over the motor housing? No clue what to call it haha.

 

Yeah, that grey plate comes up with a tug.

[mmcguffi]

every AC ive ever had had to break in before it was quite

 

give it a few days/week

[Lee Van Reef]

Mine was pretty quiet from the get go, but i got some sand stuck in it after a day or two on my new tank. I cleaned it and it's good as new.

[_Mitch_]

I've got some good news. I replaced the impeller from my AC70 with an AC20 impeller, which makes the AC70 basically dead quiet. The flow I get with it is pretty much perfect for a refugium, and now I can sleep in peace...

 

Now the AC20 on my windowsill FW Endler/Shrimp tank has some ridiculous flow!

[tam]

I've got some good news. I replaced the impeller from my AC70 with an AC20 impeller, which makes the AC70 basically dead quiet. The flow I get with it is pretty much perfect for a refugium, and now I can sleep in peace...

 

Now the AC20 on my windowsill FW Endler/Shrimp tank has some ridiculous flow!

 

[NathanF]

I have two AquaClear filters and both were noisy out of the box. I had a hum/buzz in the motor/impeller area. Eventually they both quieted down. It took a couple of weeks.