Noise/Rattle Fix! - AquaClear & Fluval C Series HOB Filters

donnoj · 01-20-2012, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusiongt

Hehe I posted the review of the Fluval C2 on amazon that wrote the fix for it

Nice review on amazon. Nice that other's will learn of the vaseline trick. I've read so many complaints about the AquaClears (and Fluval C's) rattling and the solution has always been to return it or remove the lid. Hopefully more people will keep them now a get to enjoy what great filters the AC's and C Series are!

donnoj · 01-20-2012, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diwu13

Teflon tape is safe in the aquarium?

teflon tape should be safe, but there is no need for that additional step as the problem is solved by lubing the shaft.

I've been running the fluval c2 and a few ac's for a year now noise free. I will also so add that I have not needed to take them appart to clean them or apply more lube.

In fact I just started another tank...the ac 20 impeller rattled, the lid vibrated, and sometimes the impeler would get stuck when turning it back on...all fixed by lubing the shaft.

diwu13 · 01-20-2012, 01:55 PM

A bit off topic but have you modded the AC filters at all besides adding the lube? I was planning on adding an extension bend to the intake tube if you don't mind checking out my AC thread. You seem to know a lot about ACs

diwu13 · 01-25-2012, 04:03 AM

Well, got my AC20's in and they both rattled. Listened to this fix and now they are both silent. Works.

RiseAbove · 01-25-2012, 06:15 PM

well i know what im doing when i get home.

Julianzh · 02-03-2012, 12:43 AM

the C2 is giving me a headache, i lubed the shaft with huge amount already, but still making that noise. im going to give the tape a go and see if that helps.

TheNailman · 02-15-2012, 01:42 PM

I just tried this on a old, beat up Aquaclear 70. The noise was driving me batty.
rattle is gone.

biogenetic40379 · 02-15-2012, 07:23 PM

julianzh, you may just need a new impeller (could be worn out and old) I would send them an email

JB62NJ · 02-26-2012, 01:20 PM

i tried this fix on my fluval c3 and it did NOT work. rattle is still there unfortunately.

BS87 · 04-13-2012, 01:19 AM

Wanted to share that I did this to my new AquaClear 50 that was noisy, and it made it very quiet. I also applied a very fine coating of the 100% petroleum jelly to the contact areas of the lid (anywhere it touches the body) and that helped even more. Such a simple fix. All you can hear now is the water hitting the surface.

temple2101 · 06-12-2012, 03:34 AM

Just wanted to say thanks for this. Worked for my new AquaClear 30. Not dead silent, but way better than it was. Thanks!

AndreyT · 06-12-2012, 04:28 AM

In my experience, all Hagen AquaClear filters rattle when new. The rattle disappears by itself after the filter has been run for some time.

lakemake · 03-10-2013, 08:54 AM

Thanks guys for your tips.
My Aqua Clear 20 made rattling noise from the beginning. I couldn't ignore it after a few days. I tried silicone lubrication for my Arai helmet. I don't know if it is aquarium safe. I applied to the metal shaft of the impeller. Instantly the noise has gone away. But there is noise from the lid. I can take if off when I go to bed.

01-20-2012, 01:55 PM	#33
diwu13 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Willimantic, CT Posts: 6,168	A bit off topic but have you modded the AC filters at all besides adding the lube? I was planning on adding an extension bend to the intake tube if you don't mind checking out my AC thread. You seem to know a lot about ACs __________________ ~~Fish~~ Shrimp tanks are like cups of coffee, one is never enough. ヽ（ﾟヮﾟ）ﾉ.・ﾟ｡・+☆ Twin 10G Shrimp Tanks & 20L Grow Out Tank*

01-25-2012, 04:03 AM	#34
diwu13 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Willimantic, CT Posts: 6,168	Well, got my AC20's in and they both rattled. Listened to this fix and now they are both silent. Works. __________________ ~~Fish~~ Shrimp tanks are like cups of coffee, one is never enough. ヽ（ﾟヮﾟ）ﾉ.・ﾟ｡・+☆ Twin 10G Shrimp Tanks & 20L Grow Out Tank*

02-15-2012, 07:23 PM	#38
biogenetic40379 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 272	julianzh, you may just need a new impeller (could be worn out and old) I would send them an email __________________ Check out my 15g Red cherry shrimp tank http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...ml#post1684884 or my 33G Long http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=197147

03-10-2013, 08:54 AM	#43
lakemake Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canada Posts: 7	used silicone lub Thanks guys for your tips. My Aqua Clear 20 made rattling noise from the beginning. I couldn't ignore it after a few days. I tried silicone lubrication for my Arai helmet. I don't know if it is aquarium safe. I applied to the metal shaft of the impeller. Instantly the noise has gone away. But there is noise from the lid. I can take if off when I go to bed.

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01-25-2012, 06:15 PM	#35
RiseAbove Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Roseville, ca Posts: 99	well i know what im doing when i get home.

02-03-2012, 12:43 AM	#36
Julianzh Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Quincy, MA Posts: 114	the C2 is giving me a headache, i lubed the shaft with huge amount already, but still making that noise. im going to give the tape a go and see if that helps.

02-15-2012, 01:42 PM	#37
TheNailman Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Waltham, MA Posts: 142	I just tried this on a old, beat up Aquaclear 70. The noise was driving me batty. rattle is gone.

02-26-2012, 01:20 PM	#39
JB62NJ Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: new jersey Posts: 1	i tried this fix on my fluval c3 and it did NOT work. rattle is still there unfortunately.

04-13-2012, 01:19 AM	#40
BS87 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Rochester Posts: 218	Wanted to share that I did this to my new AquaClear 50 that was noisy, and it made it very quiet. I also applied a very fine coating of the 100% petroleum jelly to the contact areas of the lid (anywhere it touches the body) and that helped even more. Such a simple fix. All you can hear now is the water hitting the surface.

06-12-2012, 03:34 AM	#41
temple2101 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: IN - USA Posts: 154	Just wanted to say thanks for this. Worked for my new AquaClear 30. Not dead silent, but way better than it was. Thanks!

06-12-2012, 04:28 AM	#42
AndreyT Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: CA, United States Posts: 130	In my experience, all Hagen AquaClear filters rattle when new. The rattle disappears by itself after the filter has been run for some time.