AquaClear filter won't start

[pixelmeow]

I sincerely feel like the biggest idiot. I got a new filter, the
AquaClear 200, for my 10 gallon freshwater tank; it won't start
pumping water through. I followed the directions, nothing; I bent my
arms in all weird directions to get the air out of the tube and the
tube then inserted into the intake side of the part of the filter that
hangs out the back of the tank; all that did was suck all the water
out of the filter back into the tank! I filled enough water into the
tank so that I almost overfilled the tank, thinking that maybe that
would start the water flowing. The little engine that (I assume) runs
the filter is warm, it must be doing *something*, but it is totally
quiet.

What am I doing wrong? I checked out the websites in the FAQs, but
they dont' go into troubleshooting (or filters for dummies, which I
must need).

Sorry if you guys get this all the time...

--
teresa
--
~teresa~
AFH Barwench

^..^ "Never try to outstubborn a cat." Robert A. Heinlein ^..^
http://pixelmeow.com/ && http://heinleinsociety.org/
http://pixelmeow.com/Book_Exchange/index.htm
http://www.storesonline.com/site/thesurvivalstation/
http://rose-n-thorn-llc.com/
aim: pixelmeow

[bannor]

Two things:

1) Fill filter box until it starts to flow back into tank BEFORE
attempting anything else. Then insert the input tube into position.
(Power to pump should be off during this entire phase). Make sure
that the input tube sits completely down into the input of the motor
housing (if you look down inside the filter top, you will see an open
section just above the filter motor, typically it is sort of oblong
with a slight curve sort of like a letter C turned onto it's side.
One end of this oblong will be copletely open to the filter
(impeller), the other end will be completely blocked. The input tube
should go directly over the completely open section above the
impeller). Now turn power on... you will see the input tube slowly
pulsate with water until it fills completely and the pump starts
running, water now flowing back out into the tank.

or
2) the impeller is magnetically stuck to the side wall of the motor
housing. I typically just stick something thin, straight and long
down into the opening and wiggle until the impeller starts spinning.
Note: you would have to remove whatever you use to start the process
fairly quickly and it should not be something that can break the
impeller. A plastic coffee stirrer or a straw usually works well and
is not strong enough to break the impeller... once the impeller
starts moving, simply slide the adjustable input tube completely over
the impeller opening until the syphon starts.



On Sun, 01 Feb 2004 03:15:47 GMT, pixelmeow
> wrote:

>I sincerely feel like the biggest idiot. I got a new filter, the
>AquaClear 200, for my 10 gallon freshwater tank; it won't start
>pumping water through. I followed the directions, nothing; I bent my
>arms in all weird directions to get the air out of the tube and the
>tube then inserted into the intake side of the part of the filter that
>hangs out the back of the tank; all that did was suck all the water
>out of the filter back into the tank! I filled enough water into the
>tank so that I almost overfilled the tank, thinking that maybe that
>would start the water flowing. The little engine that (I assume) runs
>the filter is warm, it must be doing *something*, but it is totally
>quiet.
>
>What am I doing wrong? I checked out the websites in the FAQs, but
>they dont' go into troubleshooting (or filters for dummies, which I
>must need).
>
>Sorry if you guys get this all the time...
>
>--
>teresa

[pixelmeow]

On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 23:19:29 -0500, in rec.aquaria.tech, bannor
<bannor -at- echoes - net - mind the spam block> scribbled:

>Two things:
>
>1) Fill filter box until it starts to flow back into tank BEFORE
>attempting anything else. Then insert the input tube into position.
>(Power to pump should be off during this entire phase). Make sure
>that the input tube sits completely down into the input of the motor
>housing (if you look down inside the filter top, you will see an open
>section just above the filter motor, typically it is sort of oblong
>with a slight curve sort of like a letter C turned onto it's side.
>One end of this oblong will be copletely open to the filter
>(impeller), the other end will be completely blocked. The input tube
>should go directly over the completely open section above the
>impeller). Now turn power on... you will see the input tube slowly
>pulsate with water until it fills completely and the pump starts
>running, water now flowing back out into the tank.

This is exactly how I've tried to do it time and time again. Never
worked.

>or
>2) the impeller is magnetically stuck to the side wall of the motor
>housing. I typically just stick something thin, straight and long
>down into the opening and wiggle until the impeller starts spinning.
>Note: you would have to remove whatever you use to start the process
>fairly quickly and it should not be something that can break the
>impeller. A plastic coffee stirrer or a straw usually works well and
>is not strong enough to break the impeller... once the impeller
>starts moving, simply slide the adjustable input tube completely over
>the impeller opening until the syphon starts.

Tried this, I didn't get any observable results. I may have to call
the help number tomorrow. :-( I've lost one of my fish in this mess.

>On Sun, 01 Feb 2004 03:15:47 GMT, pixelmeow
> wrote:
>
>>I sincerely feel like the biggest idiot. I got a new filter, the
>>AquaClear 200, for my 10 gallon freshwater tank; it won't start
>>pumping water through. I followed the directions, nothing; I bent my
>>arms in all weird directions to get the air out of the tube and the
>>tube then inserted into the intake side of the part of the filter that
>>hangs out the back of the tank; all that did was suck all the water
>>out of the filter back into the tank! I filled enough water into the
>>tank so that I almost overfilled the tank, thinking that maybe that
>>would start the water flowing. The little engine that (I assume) runs
>>the filter is warm, it must be doing *something*, but it is totally
>>quiet.
>>
>>What am I doing wrong? I checked out the websites in the FAQs, but
>>they dont' go into troubleshooting (or filters for dummies, which I
>>must need).
>>
>>Sorry if you guys get this all the time...
>>
>>--
>>teresa

--
~teresa~
AFH Barwench

^..^ "Never try to outstubborn a cat." Robert A. Heinlein ^..^
http://pixelmeow.com/ && http://heinleinsociety.org/
http://pixelmeow.com/Book_Exchange/index.htm
http://www.storesonline.com/site/thesurvivalstation/
http://rose-n-thorn-llc.com/
aim: pixelmeow

[bannor]

On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 01:06:26 GMT, pixelmeow
> wrote:

>snip<
Now turn power on... you will see the input tube slowly
>>pulsate with water until it fills completely and the pump starts
>>running, water now flowing back out into the tank.
>
>This is exactly how I've tried to do it time and time again. Never
>worked.
>

Hmmm.... shoot.

>>or
>>2) the impeller is magnetically stuck to the side wall of the motor
>>housing. I typically just stick something thin, straight and long
>>down into the opening and wiggle until the impeller starts spinning.
>>Note: you would have to remove whatever you use to start the process
>>fairly quickly and it should not be something that can break the
>>impeller. A plastic coffee stirrer or a straw usually works well and
>>is not strong enough to break the impeller... once the impeller
>>starts moving, simply slide the adjustable input tube completely over
>>the impeller opening until the syphon starts.
>
>Tried this, I didn't get any observable results. I may have to call
>the help number tomorrow. :-( I've lost one of my fish in this mess.

Did you acctually feel and/or hear the impeller start to move?
Another thing you can try to do, is first, empty all water from
filter, remove the motor and impeller assembly. Take motor and
impeller next to your sink. Remove impeller and make sure that it is
clean. should be no soft plant matter or grungy stuff in the impeller
well. re-insert the impeller and then plug it in and see if the
impeller turns. if not, hold it under high pressure water stream and
try to use that straw or coffee stirrer to force it to start turning.
again, nothing hard enough to break the blades on the impeller, just
hard enough to manually make it turn in the motor assembly.

If that works, re-assemble with filter, again at the sink and see if
adding water while the motor is plugged in allows the pump to pump the
water back out. just to make sure that motor is sealed again, and
that it is still working.

I have about 4 of these filters. My smallest one, a 200 model, does
sometimes get stuck. Actually so does my oldest one which is a 300
but is over 10 years old. Once restarted, both work fine.

Good luck!

[pixelmeow]

On Sun, 01 Feb 2004 22:32:19 -0500, in rec.aquaria.tech, bannor
<bannor -at- echoes - net - mind the spam block> scribbled:

>On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 01:06:26 GMT, pixelmeow
> wrote:
>
>>snip<
> Now turn power on... you will see the input tube slowly
>>>pulsate with water until it fills completely and the pump starts
>>>running, water now flowing back out into the tank.
>>
>>This is exactly how I've tried to do it time and time again. Never
>>worked.
>>
>
>Hmmm.... shoot.

Sorry! :-)

>>>2) the impeller is magnetically stuck to the side wall of the motor
>>>housing. I typically just stick something thin, straight and long
>>>down into the opening and wiggle until the impeller starts spinning.
>>>Note: you would have to remove whatever you use to start the process
>>>fairly quickly and it should not be something that can break the
>>>impeller. A plastic coffee stirrer or a straw usually works well and
>>>is not strong enough to break the impeller... once the impeller
>>>starts moving, simply slide the adjustable input tube completely over
>>>the impeller opening until the syphon starts.
>>
>>Tried this, I didn't get any observable results. I may have to call
>>the help number tomorrow. :-( I've lost one of my fish in this mess.
>
>Did you acctually feel and/or hear the impeller start to move?

Nothing. Not sure if what I felt was important, I didn't feel any
resistance.

>Another thing you can try to do, is first, empty all water from
>filter, remove the motor and impeller assembly. Take motor and
>impeller next to your sink. Remove impeller and make sure that it is
>clean. should be no soft plant matter or grungy stuff in the impeller
>well.

It's new, there won't be any of that in there. :-)

>re-insert the impeller and then plug it in and see if the
>impeller turns. if not, hold it under high pressure water stream and
>try to use that straw or coffee stirrer to force it to start turning.
>again, nothing hard enough to break the blades on the impeller, just
>hard enough to manually make it turn in the motor assembly.
>
>If that works, re-assemble with filter, again at the sink and see if
>adding water while the motor is plugged in allows the pump to pump the
>water back out. just to make sure that motor is sealed again, and
>that it is still working.

Thanks, I'll try this.

>I have about 4 of these filters. My smallest one, a 200 model, does
>sometimes get stuck. Actually so does my oldest one which is a 300
>but is over 10 years old. Once restarted, both work fine.

Wonderful!

--
~teresa~
AFH Barwench

^..^ "Never try to outstubborn a cat." Robert A. Heinlein ^..^
http://pixelmeow.com/ && http://heinleinsociety.org/
http://pixelmeow.com/Book_Exchange/index.htm
http://www.storesonline.com/site/thesurvivalstation/
http://rose-n-thorn-llc.com/
aim: pixelmeow

[pixelmeow]

On Sun, 01 Feb 2004 22:32:19 -0500, in rec.aquaria.tech, bannor
<bannor -at- echoes - net - mind the spam block> scribbled:

>Another thing you can try to do, is first, empty all water from
>filter, remove the motor and impeller assembly. Take motor and
>impeller next to your sink. Remove impeller and make sure that it is
>clean. should be no soft plant matter or grungy stuff in the impeller
>well. re-insert the impeller and then plug it in and see if the
>impeller turns. if not, hold it under high pressure water stream and
>try to use that straw or coffee stirrer to force it to start turning.
>again, nothing hard enough to break the blades on the impeller, just
>hard enough to manually make it turn in the motor assembly.

Okay, coupla questions. First, the impellor (column that comes up
from the sqare-ish housing of the motor) comes out of that housing? I
could not get this part to budge, and was about to ruin the column, so
I stopped (was using pliers, can't get ahold of it otherwise).
Second, is there supposed to be something inside that column other
than a metal stick? I see nothing else in what I have.

Do I have a bad piece of equipment? If so, I'll take it back to
Petsmart on Saturday.

--
~teresa~
AFH Barwench

^..^ "Never try to outstubborn a cat." Robert A. Heinlein ^..^
http://pixelmeow.com/ && http://heinleinsociety.org/
http://pixelmeow.com/Book_Exchange/index.htm
http://www.storesonline.com/site/thesurvivalstation/
http://rose-n-thorn-llc.com/
aim: pixelmeow

[\bannor\]

On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 00:36:16 GMT, pixelmeow
> wrote:
>Okay, coupla questions. First, the impellor (column that comes up
>from the sqare-ish housing of the motor) comes out of that housing? I
>could not get this part to budge, and was about to ruin the column, so
>I stopped (was using pliers, can't get ahold of it otherwise).
>Second, is there supposed to be something inside that column other
>than a metal stick? I see nothing else in what I have.
>
>Do I have a bad piece of equipment? If so, I'll take it back to
>Petsmart on Saturday.

Ooooppppssss... sounds as if the actual impeller is missing. The
impeller should be (in your case) hollow at one end so that the metal
shaft will fit inside and at the other end would have plastic blades
perpendicular to the shaft... like fan blades or maybe a better
description would be like the letter "X" if viewed from the top down.

If that part is NOT inserted into the motor assembly, then it is
missing and you should either take it back or call whomever you
ordered it from and explain that the actual impeller is missing.

No wonder you can't get any water movement! The base of the impeller
will be larger in diameter, and is magnetic. the upper section (the
fan blade part) is plastic. The two sections are usually connected
with a metal shaft. Again, the base will be hollow and just large
enough opening to get that shaft you were grabbing with the pliers to
fit inside...

should drop right in, and come right out with just finger pressure. No
tools should be necessary.

[T]

The scary part I hear is, I used plyers and it did not budge.. My bear paws
barely fit in the housings of a 300 and I can remove the impeller easily..

Tim


""bannor" " <bannor -at- echoes - net - mind the spam block> wrote in
message ...
> On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 00:36:16 GMT, pixelmeow
> > wrote:
> >Okay, coupla questions. First, the impellor (column that comes up
> >from the sqare-ish housing of the motor) comes out of that housing? I
> >could not get this part to budge, and was about to ruin the column, so
> >I stopped (was using pliers, can't get ahold of it otherwise).
> >Second, is there supposed to be something inside that column other
> >than a metal stick? I see nothing else in what I have.
> >
> >Do I have a bad piece of equipment? If so, I'll take it back to
> >Petsmart on Saturday.
>
> Ooooppppssss... sounds as if the actual impeller is missing. The
> impeller should be (in your case) hollow at one end so that the metal
> shaft will fit inside and at the other end would have plastic blades
> perpendicular to the shaft... like fan blades or maybe a better
> description would be like the letter "X" if viewed from the top down.
>
> If that part is NOT inserted into the motor assembly, then it is
> missing and you should either take it back or call whomever you
> ordered it from and explain that the actual impeller is missing.
>
> No wonder you can't get any water movement! The base of the impeller
> will be larger in diameter, and is magnetic. the upper section (the
> fan blade part) is plastic. The two sections are usually connected
> with a metal shaft. Again, the base will be hollow and just large
> enough opening to get that shaft you were grabbing with the pliers to
> fit inside...
>
> should drop right in, and come right out with just finger pressure. No
> tools should be necessary.
>
>

[bannor]

On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 02:50:07 GMT, "T" > wrote:

>The scary part I hear is, I used plyers and it did not budge.. My bear paws
>barely fit in the housings of a 300 and I can remove the impeller easily..
>
>Tim
>

Yep. Sounds like someone 'opened' the box before he bought it. Our
local Petsmart has that problem. I have to make sure that if I buy
anything from them that the packaging is still sealed. I have come
home from there with missing motors, missing media etc when buying
filters! That won't ever happen again!

[pixelmeow]

On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 23:19:05 -0500, in rec.aquaria.tech, bannor
<bannor -at- echoes - net - mind the spam block> wrote:

>On Wed, 04 Feb 2004 02:50:07 GMT, "T" > wrote:
>
>>The scary part I hear is, I used plyers and it did not budge.. My bear paws
>>barely fit in the housings of a 300 and I can remove the impeller easily..
>>
>>Tim
>>
>
>Yep. Sounds like someone 'opened' the box before he bought it. Our
>local Petsmart has that problem. I have to make sure that if I buy
>anything from them that the packaging is still sealed. I have come
>home from there with missing motors, missing media etc when buying
>filters! That won't ever happen again!

I *wondered* about that empty hole when I was putting it all
together... I'll be going back to Petsmart on Saturday! *whew*!!!

I wonder if they'll replace my spotted catfish... :-((( I really did
love that booger. Such a feisty fish... and getting soooo big.

Thanks so much for your help, guys; this group is LOTS friendlier than
the programming groups (well, only a few people, but it does color
your perceptions for everywhere else) where I tend to go looking for
answers...

And if you're ever over in alt.fan.heinlein, let me know and your
drinks are on my tab! :-)

--
~teresa~
AFH Barwench

^..^ "Never try to outstubborn a cat." Robert A. Heinlein ^..^
http://pixelmeow.com/ http://www.heinleinsociety.org/
http://pixelmeow.com/Book_Exchange/index.htm
http://www.thesurvivalstation.com
aim: pixelmeow msn:

[bannor]

On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 14:25:27 -0500, pixelmeow
> wrote:

>>Yep. Sounds like someone 'opened' the box before he bought it. Our
>>local Petsmart has that problem. I have to make sure that if I buy
>>anything from them that the packaging is still sealed. I have come
>>home from there with missing motors, missing media etc when buying
>>filters! That won't ever happen again!
>
>I *wondered* about that empty hole when I was putting it all
>together... I'll be going back to Petsmart on Saturday! *whew*!!!
>

Be sure to OPEN the box and ensure all the parts are there this time.
It is sad that people have to appropriate parts without paying for
them. However, it seems that Petsmart is really known for not having
security watching what is going on... at least the 3 different stores
I have visited in different towns have all had the same problem. Open
boxes... empty cartons on the shelf that are supposed to contain test
kits, but the entire kit is missing... just the empty box or just the
test tube etc...


>I wonder if they'll replace my spotted catfish... :-((( I really did
>love that booger. Such a feisty fish... and getting soooo big.
>

I doubt that they will, but you might want to 'push' the issue since
you did your part in purchasing a new pump and it was 'their' fault
that they had allowed someone to strip the impeller from the package.

>Thanks so much for your help, guys; this group is LOTS friendlier than
>the programming groups (well, only a few people, but it does color
>your perceptions for everywhere else) where I tend to go looking for
>answers...
>

You are very welcome... I have been 'lurking' here for a few weeks...
just to see what is up. A friend told me about the usnet groups for
fish and it caught my interest. It seems that there are some VERY
responsible people in these groups that are more than willing to help!

>And if you're ever over in alt.fan.heinlein, let me know and your
>drinks are on my tab! :-)

hmmm.... you just might find me 'lurking' in there in the future... I
had forgotten how much fun usenet can be and how much useful
information is available from all the helpful folk around... of
course, you do have to keep your head down and your eyes open or you
can get targetted for garbage.

[Popeye]

On Fri, 06 Feb 2004 00:18:39 -0500, bannor <bannor -at- echoes - net -
mind the spam block> wrote:


>>I *wondered* about that empty hole when I was putting it all
>>together... I'll be going back to Petsmart on Saturday! *whew*!!!
>>
>
>Be sure to OPEN the box and ensure all the parts are there this time.
>It is sad that people have to appropriate parts without paying for
>them. However, it seems that Petsmart is really known for not having
>security watching what is going on... at least the 3 different stores
>I have visited in different towns have all had the same problem. Open
>boxes... empty cartons on the shelf that are supposed to contain test
>kits, but the entire kit is missing... just the empty box or just the
>test tube etc...
>

What is even sadder is that PetSmart does not sell parts like this,
but will GIVE stuff like impellers to customers. At least, that has
been my experience with the one near me (Windsor,ON)

Brian

[pixelmeow]

On Fri, 06 Feb 2004 00:18:39 -0500, in rec.aquaria.tech, bannor
<bannor -at- echoes - net - mind the spam block> wrote:

>On Thu, 05 Feb 2004 14:25:27 -0500, pixelmeow
> wrote:
>
>>>Yep. Sounds like someone 'opened' the box before he bought it. Our
>>>local Petsmart has that problem. I have to make sure that if I buy
>>>anything from them that the packaging is still sealed. I have come
>>>home from there with missing motors, missing media etc when buying
>>>filters! That won't ever happen again!
>>
>>I *wondered* about that empty hole when I was putting it all
>>together... I'll be going back to Petsmart on Saturday! *whew*!!!
>>
>Be sure to OPEN the box and ensure all the parts are there this time.
>It is sad that people have to appropriate parts without paying for
>them. However, it seems that Petsmart is really known for not having
>security watching what is going on... at least the 3 different stores
>I have visited in different towns have all had the same problem. Open
>boxes... empty cartons on the shelf that are supposed to contain test
>kits, but the entire kit is missing... just the empty box or just the
>test tube etc...

Opened box, and sure enough, there was a nifty little white fan
looking part in the new one that wasn't there in the old one! Took it
home, put it together, hung it on tank, filled with water, plugged in,
VOILA!!! All's better!

>>I wonder if they'll replace my spotted catfish... :-((( I really did
>>love that booger. Such a feisty fish... and getting soooo big.
>>
>I doubt that they will, but you might want to 'push' the issue since
>you did your part in purchasing a new pump and it was 'their' fault
>that they had allowed someone to strip the impeller from the package.

I didn't bother, they didn't have the same fish there as what I had.
So I got two black neon tetras (which are clear with a black and
yellow stripe, not all black, but they're very pretty) and a FROG. I
*love* frogs...

>>Thanks so much for your help, guys; this group is LOTS friendlier than
>>the programming groups (well, only a few people, but it does color
>>your perceptions for everywhere else) where I tend to go looking for
>>answers...
>>
>You are very welcome... I have been 'lurking' here for a few weeks...
>just to see what is up. A friend told me about the usnet groups for
>fish and it caught my interest. It seems that there are some VERY
>responsible people in these groups that are more than willing to help!

Yes, there are. And now I have some questions I have to ask
elsewhere, and am hoping not to get flamed too badly... RTFM and all
that. But what do you do if you've read all the FMs and all the FAQs
and you can't find it? Sigh.

>>And if you're ever over in alt.fan.heinlein, let me know and your
>>drinks are on my tab! :-)
>
>hmmm.... you just might find me 'lurking' in there in the future... I
>had forgotten how much fun usenet can be and how much useful
>information is available from all the helpful folk around... of
>course, you do have to keep your head down and your eyes open or you
>can get targetted for garbage.

Absolutely. Thanks again!

--
~teresa~
AFH Barwench

^..^ "Never try to outstubborn a cat." Robert A. Heinlein ^..^
http://pixelmeow.com/ http://www.heinleinsociety.org/
http://pixelmeow.com/Book_Exchange/index.htm
http://www.thesurvivalstation.com
aim: pixelmeow msn: