[teatimecrumpet]

Hi,

I've got an Aquatop CF500 canister filter. I've been having problems with it taking in air on the intake.

What's the best thing for me to use to seal seams at pipe joints?
or where the intake tubing meets the plastic U-shaped plastic pipe. Aquatop uses a nut that you spin on and tighten over the tubing that you slip onto the U-piece?

Would Krylon Fusion work for the seams or would it just paint over it:
http://www.amazon.com/Krylon-2328-F...&qid=1354914035&sr=8-1&keywords=krylon+fusion

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Hmoobthor]

do u see bubble or air bubble?

 

[Diana]

If it is a very small leak you might use Vaseline.
I have several old canisters, and they are developing air leaks like you say. When I took apart the intake tubing, fittings and so on, then put them all together with a layer of petroleum jelly that was just thick enough to do the job.
This will not work on too large a leak, but is a cheap and easy first step.

 

[teatimecrumpet]

I don't see any water leaks or notice any moisture on the outside. But my intake tube pushes out tiny air bubbles that collect in the canister filter and then burp out.

 

[Evilgrin]

Aquarium safe silicone if the vaseline trick won't work.

 

[HypnoticAquatic]

i just want to double check your saying the leak is at the joint where the intake tube meets the actual intake nossle? if so just go get a screw on clamp or a one that you can pinch on* they will be with all of the sprinkler parts. the pinch type will look cleaner but the screw on type might be easier for you if u dont have the tool to clamp it.

the clamp ones u have to buy in a bag the screw ones cost more but are usually sold seperatly 50¢ or so.

 

[talontsiawd]

I would try petroleum jelly. It seems weird because it lubricates but it works well to seal. The other plus side is it makes life easier when you have to take things off. I learned about this from threads on removing lily pipes which is so much easier.

One thing though, if it does not work, you may want to check your impeller shaft. I bought what I thought was a new Eheim 2215. I thought it was air, but I had a broken impeller shaft. I spent weeks trying to figure it out. In the process, I got uneven wear on the impeller which ended up to be costly. Not saying that is the issue, but you may want to check that as it happened to me and end up costing me some money for catching it late.

 

[Cento]

Aquarium safe silicone if the vaseline trick won't work.

Actually, silicone is the BEST way to go when greasing up rubber/plastic.

Vaseline and other greases that contain petroleum jelly tend to damage (swelling, buckling, softening) rubber and plastic.

Silicone grease on the other hand does not affect rubber, and it's safe for aquarium use (used in food processing industry).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[teatimecrumpet]

I've tried the silicone grease route but I'm still getting air through the intake. So I think a more permanent solution is required.

One thing though, if it does not work, you may want to check your impeller shaft. I bought what I thought was a new Eheim 2215. I thought it was air, but I had a broken impeller shaft. I spent weeks trying to figure it out. In the process, I got uneven wear on the impeller which ended up to be costly. Not saying that is the issue, but you may want to check that as it happened to me and end up costing me some money for catching it late.

How can I tell if the impeller is broken or unevenly wearing down?

Since I see the air bubbles coming through the intake could the impeller still be a possible problem?

 

[HypnoticAquatic]

if you can visually see bubbles coming from the intake it can not be the intake causing that issue, that doesnt say the impeller is good or bad but a quick look at it cause tell u if its worn or not, likely not and even if it was a worn impeller doesnt cause bubbles it causes noise and heat from the friction of it grinding on itself or being out of balance.