View Full Version : Bad filter purchase
I bought an Aquaclear 300 from some lady in the classifieds and when she offered to deliver it all for the low price of $10, I thought it was too good to be true. Alas! It was.
There is a branched crack underneath where the water overflows and the thing leaks. Can I seal the crack with silicone?
The rotar is also very loud. There's a low-pitched grinding coupled with a higher-pitched grinding, like grinding sand. I know that the impellar should be put properly into place, but doesn't it just go in?
Thanks for any help. Anything would be better than the "Get a new one" suggestion I got from the pet store.
excuzzzeme
10-12-2008, 8:54 PM
Yes you can seal it but how long it will last is any one's guess. If the impeller is loud/noisy/vibrating it needs a new impeller. They are drop-in's. Clean everything with a Q-tip thoroughly in that area. A small brush would be better. Replace the impeller with a new one (about $6.00)
Never buy a used filter without testing it first.
RodInCALIFORNIA
10-12-2008, 8:57 PM
i have sealed cracks in a few filters with crazy glue and had no problems i just glue it good and let it dry for about a week i use the thick crazy glue and i have been using those repaired filters in a tank now for almost a year and still no leaks and not one fish died from the crazy glue. there might be sand or something down in the impellar hole where it sits try and flush out the hole good i use a plastic chop stick to clean mine out with works well for me. good luck! next time make sure you hook it up and see if it works before you hand over your cash i always do if i am buying something used.
AnDr3w
10-12-2008, 9:16 PM
I tried to silicone a crack in my AquaClear. I found 20 gallons on my floor.
JohnSmith
10-12-2008, 9:27 PM
I bought an Aquaclear 300 from some lady in the classifieds and when she offered to deliver it all for the low price of $10, I thought it was too good to be true. Alas! It was.
There is a branched crack underneath where the water overflows and the thing leaks. Can I seal the crack with silicone?
The rotar is also very loud. There's a low-pitched grinding coupled with a higher-pitched grinding, like grinding sand. I know that the impellar should be put properly into place, but doesn't it just go in?
Thanks for any help. Anything would be better than the "Get a new one" suggestion I got from the pet store.
Superglue, contrary to common opinion is NOT waterproof. Silicone could work.
The best would be to find out what type of plastic the filter body is constructed from, I have many AC filters, but am not sure myself. It is possible that acetone may "melt" the plastic, if so, with care, applying a thin "bead" of acetone along the DRY seam will cause it to weld perfectly.
All, in all, I would say $10 bucks ain't bad ... but then, that will depend on the cost of the solvent to "weld" the plastic ... perhaps others know what the material is which the case has been constructed from ...
Regards,
JS
fishyface
10-12-2008, 9:42 PM
Superglue, contrary to common opinion is NOT waterproof.not true...reefers have been using superglue for years for fragging corals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate
JohnSmith
10-12-2008, 9:48 PM
not true...reefers have been using superglue for years for fragging corals. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate
I would NOT lie, superglue is NOT waterproof ... squirt it you mouth, glut your teeth together ... in a couple of hours, or more, the bond will fail, you can get your teeth apart ... if you doubt this, research it on a manufacturers website ... they will tell you, it is NOT waterproof.
Now, it may "catch" in a crack and slow the leak to an imperceptible level, however, the glue, itself, is NOT waterproof--i.e., the bond cannot be maintained to surfaces when immersed in water.
But then, you CAN prove me wrong, find a manufacturer stating the glue is waterproof and present the URL here ...
Regards,
JS
fishyface
10-12-2008, 10:05 PM
i didn't suggest you lied, but the link i provided states that it is waterproof as does this link: http://www.palmlabsadhesives.com/cyanoacrylate.htm
however in my experience methylene chloride or a similar solvent such as you mentioned previously is a much better option.
JohnSmith
10-12-2008, 10:13 PM
i didn't suggest you lied, but the link i provided states that it is waterproof as does this link: http://www.palmlabsadhesives.com/cyanoacrylate.htm
however in my experience methylene chloride or a similar solvent such as you mentioned previously is a much better option.
fishface:
I certainly meant no disrespect. However, if it was truly waterproof it would make a perfect cement to glue our tanks together with ... it is not.
I have made the same mistake, at first I did think it was waterproof, I had to find out for myself--you are FAR from being alone.
Hey, that is what this is all about. Debating and getting to the rock bottom truth and getting US ALL ahead.
It does work with coral, but coral is porous, it goes into the pores of each piece and so "locks" the pieces together--I have not seen that under a microscope, but I believe that is how it works so well. With the smooth surfaces in a plastic break, such is not an option ...
Warm regards,
JS
Hmmm, I can only find that it's made from plastic. 'Seems like other people have had problems with cracking too. I'll try with silicone and hope it works in the long run. I'm not going to ditch the filter because I'd like to think that I got a good deal, rather than being gipped, lol. Thanks everyone for your input!
JohnSmith
10-12-2008, 11:42 PM
Hmmm, I can only find that it's made from plastic. 'Seems like other people have had problems with cracking too. I'll try with silicone and hope it works in the long run. I'm not going to ditch the filter because I'd like to think that I got a good deal, rather than being gipped, lol. Thanks everyone for your input!
Silicone should work just fine, I mean, think about it, our tanks are glued with it!
I was just thinking, if you were careful with a correct solvent which melted (welded) the plastic together, you could make an almost invisible bond ... if you are like me, silicone is OK ...
Regards,
JS
PsyKick
10-13-2008, 12:00 AM
Or if you are like me, do a thin line of glue along the crack, wait a week for it to dry, and then slather the whole underside with a nice 1/4inch layer of silicon, and wrap it up the sides a little bit. wait 2 days for it to dry, then test it!!
kj5kb
10-13-2008, 12:04 AM
repair parts and diagram:
http://www.petsolutions.com/Default.aspx?ItemID=15516320
krytan
10-13-2008, 12:10 AM
Silicone won't bond to plastic properly.
RodInCALIFORNIA
10-13-2008, 1:39 AM
i crazy glued a crack on the bottom of 3 different emperor 400's filters and they have been up and running for nearly 1 year and none of them have leaked a drop of water since i repaired them. i applied the glue to the inside of the cracks and to the outside making a 'sandwich' of glue type of repair and it has worked out perfectly the glue repair on the inside of the filter is under water and no problems. maybe they dont claim its waterproof on the website but it has been for me. I used the 'thick' type of crazy glue not sure if that makes a difference or not.
zzyzx85
10-13-2008, 1:45 AM
I cracked a good sized piece off the side of my AC50 a while back. I made a post if it here. As per suggestions made by some members here, I super-glued it back and it's mended. Been using it for 2 or so months now with no problems.
JohnSmith
10-13-2008, 2:17 AM
i crazy glued a crack on the bottom of 3 different emperor 400's filters and they have been up and running for nearly 1 year and none of them have leaked a drop of water since i repaired them. i applied the glue to the inside of the cracks and to the outside making a 'sandwich' of glue type of repair and it has worked out perfectly the glue repair on the inside of the filter is under water and no problems. maybe they dont claim its waterproof on the website but it has been for me. I used the 'thick' type of crazy glue not sure if that makes a difference or not.
Interesting. I'd love to see a waterproof superglue. What is the brand? Got a URL?
Regards,
JS
Draal5
10-13-2008, 2:31 AM
I have used the green epoxy. It's water proof and sets in 5 min
fishyface
10-13-2008, 12:55 PM
Interesting. I'd love to see a waterproof superglue. What is the brand? Got a URL?
Regards,
JS :thm:http://www.palmlabsadhesives.com/cyanoacrylate.htm
from the palm labs adhesives link "A normal cyanoacrylate bond reaches full strength in two hours, and is waterproof."
mostlycichlids
10-13-2008, 2:55 PM
Interesting. I'd love to see a waterproof superglue. What is the brand? Got a URL?
Regards,
JS
It looks like you have been proven wrong...the Original topic has been almost lost.
To the OP epoxy would be a better option and will be stronger and will last longer than any superglue.
alleykat0498
10-13-2008, 3:21 PM
I recently sealed some plastic jugs with an epoxy plastic patch that I bought from lowes in the adhesive aisle. I use these jugs to age my water for WC's and have never had a problem, and it is water proof and works on all types of plastics.
grannylvsfish
10-13-2008, 3:36 PM
I would NOT lie, superglue is NOT waterproof ... squirt it you mouth, glut your teeth together ... in a couple of hours, or more, the bond will fail, you can get your teeth apart ... if you doubt this, research it on a manufacturers website ... they will tell you, it is NOT waterproof.
Now, it may "catch" in a crack and slow the leak to an imperceptible level, however, the glue, itself, is NOT waterproof--i.e., the bond cannot be maintained to surfaces when immersed in water.
But then, you CAN prove me wrong, find a manufacturer stating the glue is waterproof and present the URL here ...
Regards,
JS
Sorry,I thought this was so funny , I hope no body does this at home :lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol::lol::lol ::lol::lol: