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Hello everyone,

I was just looking for advice on what to get as for a new filter. As of right now, I have the original filter that came with my aquarium kit. It's an Aqua-tech filter for a 55 gallon aquarium. My problem with it is that originally I decided to use a sand substrate and now the filter is constantly grinding. I have removed the sand substrate and replaced it was medium sized gravel, but I still have the grinding problem. Any suggestions as to what filter I should purchase? Thanks for any advice!

Depending on how much money you want to spend there are several good ones out there. But if you like the one that came with the tank, why dont you try saving it. It sounds to me like you have sand in the impeller housing. Have you tried taking the filter down and giving it a through cleaning? I am also meaning removing the impeller from the motor and cleaning both the motor housing and the impeller itself.

You can use a small soft tooth brush if you don't have an impeller brush. (But a new one and mark it for Aquarium use only)

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Hi FishKeeperJim,

I would rather just buy a new filter. I think that I would end up just messing up the filter even worse if I tried to tinker with it. I was looking at an Aquaclear? Or do you recommend something else? Thanks for replying!

deffinetly sounds liek sand got into the housing. I am afraid once this happens if you dont immedietly fix it then its gona make the noise forever. what happens in the sand gets into the impellar on the shaft and as the shaft spins the grains of sand wear down the shaft. this causes it to be unbalanced causing the whole impellar to vibrate as it spins. this is more then likely the grinding you hear.
i might have good news for you. its alot cheaper to buy the impellar then an entire filter. so if you feel like this filter is worth saveing then go that route. just need the model number of the filter itself and might be able to order directly from the manufacture. more then likely you will need to find a vendor.

www.bigalsonline.com

this site carries alot of parts. click parts on the left hand side then look for your make/model.

If you think this filter is not something worth saveing then this link also carries just about every other filter. Their pricing is great but their shipping is a double edge sword. they price their shipping by money spent. think under $35 is $7.50 for s/h so might end up costing you more then a store. price it out and do the math.

I just went through this same thing with my filter. been grinding for over a yr got sick of listening to it my part will be here tomorrow. I also ordered a bunch of other stuff to make it worth my while though lol.

Anyway hope this helps, good luck

I hope sand substrate uses read this as often mentioned here on FP sand will cut impellers and their housings to bits very quickly. It only takes a few grains of fine sand to spin around the housing and it all over for that filter.
When I set up the Betta tank after washing and rewashing the substrate I bought a cheap small air stone filter to clean the water up and even after very careful washing it was surprising how much fines it picked up. It was far cheaper to do this that cut a impeller up in the new Eheim filter
Sorry to say its a toss out and consider buying a new filter.

I am a Eheim user and always will be they are more expensive but well worth it as they are a far better quality filter there are many copies around and that is exactly what they are cheap copies.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Thanks for the replies! I think that I will just end up buying a new filter all together instead of trying to fix the old one. Keithgh, you had mentioned something about using a cheap airstone filter to find extra small particles. Can you explain this a little more? Are you suggesting that I do the same before I buy a new filter? As for an Eheim filter, is that a canister filter? Would I let my old filter run at the same time as the new one to let bacteria establish? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

using a cheap air-stone filter to find extra small particles.

I will post a photo of it for you it is just a modern version of the corner box filter. If you think you have a lot of fines I would consider it.

As far as running the old and the new filters this is basically a must until the new filter builds up the good bacteria. It is not necessary as the new filter can be seeded from the old filter but in your case I would not do it just in case of any sand particles.
Also by running the two it will get the tank up and running a lot quicker. Also dont forget to use the Seachem Stability it is a lot stronger than most of the other similar products.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Sorry
Here it is now

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Attached Image:

Small air stone driven filter

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Thanks for all the help! I appreciate it!