New Aquaclear 150 craked at intake mounting

[Computer Prog]

I have been using a Whisper Jr sized power filter on my 10 gallon for
at least 10 years now. The filter has never failed me but the media
does not seem to last more than a few weeks before it gets gunky and
it is expensive to replace. In addition, this old Whisper does NOT
have a plastic cover over the top of the filter and the filter media
area and I've seen my Pleco hanging out on the water fall area a few
times, actually half
out of the tank! I really need a filter that has some sort of cover
over the top of the filter.

I wanted to try something new so I just bought a AQ 150. It looks
like when you shift the intake tube to slow down the pump flow it will
producess less suction from the intake. That would help prevent
sucking up my Neons if I have a problem with this fairly big filter.

One thing that already noticed, the intake tube was very difficult to
mount on the filter. I had to push it pretty hard to get it to snap
onto the filter housing. I also had to pull it pretty hard to get the
intake tube back off the filter housing. When I got the tube off I
noticed that I scratched up the intake tube and I CRACKED the filter
housing. In this regard the Whisper power filter is built worlds
better than this AQ 150. The translucent AQ 150 plastic is super thin
and the intake tube mounting mechanism is really, really bad. I am
going to return this AQ 150 on the way home tonight and pick up
another, but I have a feeling that the next AQ 150 will just crack
over time when I remove the intake tube for periodic cleaning. The
Whisper intake tube just lifts right out with no effort, no
scratching, and no damage.

Has anyone else noticed this? How are you getting the intake tube off
without damaging the unit?

[Charles]

On 18 Feb 2004 10:45:32 -0800, (Computer
Prog) wrote:

>I have been using a Whisper Jr sized power filter on my 10 gallon for
>at least 10 years now. The filter has never failed me but the media
>does not seem to last more than a few weeks before it gets gunky and
>it is expensive to replace. In addition, this old Whisper does NOT
>have a plastic cover over the top of the filter and the filter media
>area and I've seen my Pleco hanging out on the water fall area a few
>times, actually half
>out of the tank! I really need a filter that has some sort of cover
>over the top of the filter.
>
>I wanted to try something new so I just bought a AQ 150. It looks
>like when you shift the intake tube to slow down the pump flow it will
>producess less suction from the intake. That would help prevent
>sucking up my Neons if I have a problem with this fairly big filter.
>
>One thing that already noticed, the intake tube was very difficult to
>mount on the filter. I had to push it pretty hard to get it to snap
>onto the filter housing. I also had to pull it pretty hard to get the
>intake tube back off the filter housing. When I got the tube off I
>noticed that I scratched up the intake tube and I CRACKED the filter
>housing. In this regard the Whisper power filter is built worlds
>better than this AQ 150. The translucent AQ 150 plastic is super thin
>and the intake tube mounting mechanism is really, really bad. I am
>going to return this AQ 150 on the way home tonight and pick up
>another, but I have a feeling that the next AQ 150 will just crack
>over time when I remove the intake tube for periodic cleaning. The
>Whisper intake tube just lifts right out with no effort, no
>scratching, and no damage.
>
>Has anyone else noticed this? How are you getting the intake tube off
>without damaging the unit?


I have several aquaclears and haven't broken any of them yet. To
remove the intake tube I push it directly forward, not lifting it
until it has snapped clear of the filter body. They can be stiff,
especially when they get crudded up with mineral deposits.
--

- Charles
-
-does not play well with others

[RedForeman ©®]

In om,
Computer Prog > typed:
> I have been using a Whisper Jr sized power filter on my 10 gallon for
> at least 10 years now. The filter has never failed me but the media
> does not seem to last more than a few weeks before it gets gunky and
> it is expensive to replace. In addition, this old Whisper does NOT
> have a plastic cover over the top of the filter and the filter media
> area and I've seen my Pleco hanging out on the water fall area a few
> times, actually half
> out of the tank! I really need a filter that has some sort of cover
> over the top of the filter.
>
> I wanted to try something new so I just bought a AQ 150. It looks
> like when you shift the intake tube to slow down the pump flow it will
> producess less suction from the intake. That would help prevent
> sucking up my Neons if I have a problem with this fairly big filter.
>
> One thing that already noticed, the intake tube was very difficult to
> mount on the filter. I had to push it pretty hard to get it to snap
> onto the filter housing. I also had to pull it pretty hard to get the
> intake tube back off the filter housing. When I got the tube off I
> noticed that I scratched up the intake tube and I CRACKED the filter
> housing. In this regard the Whisper power filter is built worlds
> better than this AQ 150. The translucent AQ 150 plastic is super thin
> and the intake tube mounting mechanism is really, really bad. I am
> going to return this AQ 150 on the way home tonight and pick up
> another, but I have a feeling that the next AQ 150 will just crack
> over time when I remove the intake tube for periodic cleaning. The
> Whisper intake tube just lifts right out with no effort, no
> scratching, and no damage.
>
> Has anyone else noticed this? How are you getting the intake tube off
> without damaging the unit?

Take it back and say it was defective, or get some aquarium sealant and fix
it.... it's a 50/50....

--
RedForeman ©®
....Red (head hung low) Foreman

[NetMax]

"Computer Prog" > wrote in message
om...
<snipped for brevity>
> I wanted to try something new so I just bought a AQ 150.
> How are you getting the intake tube off without damaging the unit?

Pull upwards. If you need to raise it higher than where the
extension/strainer meets the pipe, then remove the strainer by pulling it
downwards, and then pull the rest of the pipe upwards. I occasionally
have to pop the pipe off (so far without damage), but normal servicing of
the pipe or impeller does not require it.

As an FYI, I believe the ACs use one of two diameter pipes. The Mini,
AC150 and AC200 all share the same size, while the AC300 & AC500 use the
same larger (stronger?) diameter pipes. If you are deciding between an
AC200 and a AC300, keep this in mind. I think the larger pipe would be
less restrictive, and therefore more efficient for larger tanks.

NetMax

[Dan J. S.]

Computer Prog wrote:
> I have been using a Whisper Jr sized power filter on my 10 gallon for
> at least 10 years now. The filter has never failed me but the media
> does not seem to last more than a few weeks before it gets gunky and
> it is expensive to replace. In addition, this old Whisper does NOT
> have a plastic cover over the top of the filter and the filter media
> area and I've seen my Pleco hanging out on the water fall area a few
> times, actually half
> out of the tank! I really need a filter that has some sort of cover
> over the top of the filter.
>
> I wanted to try something new so I just bought a AQ 150. It looks
> like when you shift the intake tube to slow down the pump flow it will
> producess less suction from the intake. That would help prevent
> sucking up my Neons if I have a problem with this fairly big filter.
>
> One thing that already noticed, the intake tube was very difficult to
> mount on the filter. I had to push it pretty hard to get it to snap
> onto the filter housing. I also had to pull it pretty hard to get the
> intake tube back off the filter housing. When I got the tube off I
> noticed that I scratched up the intake tube and I CRACKED the filter
> housing. In this regard the Whisper power filter is built worlds
> better than this AQ 150. The translucent AQ 150 plastic is super thin
> and the intake tube mounting mechanism is really, really bad. I am
> going to return this AQ 150 on the way home tonight and pick up
> another, but I have a feeling that the next AQ 150 will just crack
> over time when I remove the intake tube for periodic cleaning. The
> Whisper intake tube just lifts right out with no effort, no
> scratching, and no damage.
>
> Has anyone else noticed this? How are you getting the intake tube off
> without damaging the unit?

I think Aquaclear filters are some of the worst filters made. I would stay
clear of them completely.

[Happy'Cam'per]

I have to completely disagree with you, I think aquaclears are just fine and
dandy ;)
--
**So long, and thanks for all the fish!**



"Dan J. S." > wrote in message
...
> Computer Prog wrote:
> > I have been using a Whisper Jr sized power filter on my 10 gallon for
> > at least 10 years now. The filter has never failed me but the media
> > does not seem to last more than a few weeks before it gets gunky and
> > it is expensive to replace. In addition, this old Whisper does NOT
> > have a plastic cover over the top of the filter and the filter media
> > area and I've seen my Pleco hanging out on the water fall area a few
> > times, actually half
> > out of the tank! I really need a filter that has some sort of cover
> > over the top of the filter.
> >
> > I wanted to try something new so I just bought a AQ 150. It looks
> > like when you shift the intake tube to slow down the pump flow it will
> > producess less suction from the intake. That would help prevent
> > sucking up my Neons if I have a problem with this fairly big filter.
> >
> > One thing that already noticed, the intake tube was very difficult to
> > mount on the filter. I had to push it pretty hard to get it to snap
> > onto the filter housing. I also had to pull it pretty hard to get the
> > intake tube back off the filter housing. When I got the tube off I
> > noticed that I scratched up the intake tube and I CRACKED the filter
> > housing. In this regard the Whisper power filter is built worlds
> > better than this AQ 150. The translucent AQ 150 plastic is super thin
> > and the intake tube mounting mechanism is really, really bad. I am
> > going to return this AQ 150 on the way home tonight and pick up
> > another, but I have a feeling that the next AQ 150 will just crack
> > over time when I remove the intake tube for periodic cleaning. The
> > Whisper intake tube just lifts right out with no effort, no
> > scratching, and no damage.
> >
> > Has anyone else noticed this? How are you getting the intake tube off
> > without damaging the unit?
>
> I think Aquaclear filters are some of the worst filters made. I would stay
> clear of them completely.
>
>

[Dan J. S.]

"Happy'Cam'per" > wrote in message
...
>
> I have to completely disagree with you, I think aquaclears are just fine
and
> dandy ;)
> --
> **So long, and thanks for all the fish!**
>

The feel extremely cheap, especially the new ones. Like a pebble would crack
them. What really gets me about them is that they get noisy after a few
months of usage. I guess they are ok for someone starting up in the hobby,
like a starter filter, but overall, I would not recommend it to anyone.

[MartinOsirus]

>
>
>"Happy'Cam'per" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> I have to completely disagree with you, I think aquaclears are just fine
>and
>> dandy ;)
>> --
>> **So long, and thanks for all the fish!**
>>
>
>The feel extremely cheap, especially the new ones. Like a pebble would crack
>them. What really gets me about them is that they get noisy after a few
>months of usage. I guess they are ok for someone starting up in the hobby,
>like a starter filter, but overall, I would not recommend it to anyone.

The plastic is on the cheap side - but they are extremely effective, powerful
filters and inexpensive. They are very popular and if you look up reviews on
power filters - they are most highly recommended. Re - the noise - if you
unscrew the motor attachment and clean the impeller - they frequently become
silent running. I use 4 of them from 150 thru 500 and they all work great.
Also - if you just run sponges in them - and clean them - nothing else to buy
and thus very inexpensive to operate.

[NetMax]

"Dan J. S." > wrote in message
...
>
> "Happy'Cam'per" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > I have to completely disagree with you, I think aquaclears are just
fine
> and
> > dandy ;)
> > --
> > **So long, and thanks for all the fish!**
> >
>
> The feel extremely cheap, especially the new ones. Like a pebble would
crack
> them. What really gets me about them is that they get noisy after a few
> months of usage. I guess they are ok for someone starting up in the
hobby,
> like a starter filter, but overall, I would not recommend it to anyone.

Actually, I find that most filters get quieter with age. This is
especially true of airpumps, but water pumps also quieten down. It's
probably a combination of the components settling in, some reduction in
speed as the filter media fills up, and a slime coat filling everything
inside. If there is an imbalance, then you would find the noise getting
worst, but an imbalance is a flaw, usually corrected by replacing the
impeller.

NetMax

[Computer Prog]

This is probably true. My AC150 has gotten quiter after 4 days of use.

NetMax wrote:

>
> Actually, I find that most filters get quieter with age. This is
> especially true of airpumps, but water pumps also quieten down. It's
> probably a combination of the components settling in, some reduction in
> speed as the filter media fills up, and a slime coat filling everything
> inside. If there is an imbalance, then you would find the noise getting
> worst, but an imbalance is a flaw, usually corrected by replacing the
> impeller.

[~*~ Vosklady ~*~]

"High Flight" > wrote in message
...
: Computer Prog > says...
: > I wanted to try something new so I just bought a AQ 150. It looks
: > like when you shift the intake tube to slow down the pump flow it will
: > producess less suction from the intake. That would help prevent
: > sucking up my Neons if I have a problem with this fairly big filter.
:
: Just fit an AquaClear sponge over the intake.
:
: Jack
:

Hi Comp . . . :)

I have four AC's running on my two 55's. At the moment three 300's and a
500. I've tried using a portion of the AC sponge over the intake and it is a
good temporary fix in keeping smaller fish from being sucked up. However, I
have found a much better option (similar but more functional).

I have pre-filters on all four filters. This has help greatly in both
keeping smaller fish (and fry) safe as well as plant matter off the intake
(which leads to decreased flow and eventual clogging of the intake).

You can find these filters here :

http://petsolutions.com/cgi-bin/cgiitmls?m=ThisP&p=1019.700000&l=1

A friend recommended these to me some months ago, and I wouldn't know what
to do without them. They just fit right over the end of your intake tube. :)

Regarding "noise" coming from the AC, the only noise I've ever experienced
is an occasional vibration coming from the filter cover (lid). When this
happens I either adjust the cover and if that doesn't help I put a few lead
plant weights on top and the noise immediately stops.

Hope This Helps!

Regards,

~*~ Vosklady ~*~