AquaClear 30 Filter says, "I like to leak"

[feederfish]

Something I am not too thrilled with in my new setup, is my Hagen AquaClear 30 Filter. It leaks from the top cover when the flow is max or even more than 50%. I have it packed with the starting kit of BioMax media (not a lot comes with it), active carbon, the filter sponge, and I added some filter wool. It all is packed as recommended with exception to the wool, which is an add-on (it is on top). It is also my understanding that the top cover and the entire case of these newer made AquaClears are thinner (IOW less wt. to hold top plate down) and are more prone to leakage. There are no cracks, and I doubt an exchange will solve the problem.

I have added a towel wedged between my night stand that catches the water, if it leaks. I do throttle the flow down then back up if leaks, or sometimes just leave it down. This has been working, but I need to beat this leaking for good. I am afraid real damage could happen down the road.

Should I just accept lower flow rate? It seems a lot of water bypasses when up higher anyway.

Has anyone ever modded an AquaClear to add clamps and a rubber gasket to the lid, or is there some aftermarket fix out there?

I plan to live with what I got for now, but I am already thinking mod!
I will be going canister for my large tank, but it is not really the best option for this small 20 gallon quarintine/starter tank. I really think I can live with the filter, just want it get it working to my standards.

Appreciate any help or ideas with this.

 

[jbradt]

Is the body of the filter level? If it's tipped backward this could be the result.

 

[irishspy]

Is the body of the filter level? If it's tipped backward this could be the result.

:iagree:

If you haven't done so already, check your filter with a builder's level. I always check mine after servicing it.

Also, if you don't mind me asking, why do you put floss on top of the media stack?

 

[feederfish]

I will check tomorrow, but water looks level. The little leveling piece did drop in once but not sure if this did anything. The motor (impellor thing?) has something to hold the whole unit close to level regardless. I will keep an eye on it.

Max flow will cause leaking for sure, but it didn't at first leak. Though, it has only been cycling with artifical plants and aquarium gravel, lol. If I hold down on the lid while ensuring it is level, it won't leak on max flow. The lid is just too wimpy if the flow rate is up. What is happening is the water will wet onto the bottom side of the lid during larger flow rate at the inlet... it got some power. When the water is on the lid it will then drop back down or run briefly across the lid. It wants to leak close to the inlet side. It is not pushing the lid up, but just able to drip water out, slowly but surely.

My thinking for filter wool is it will help polish the water. It even gets some of the bypass water that misses the other filtration, and I am happy with its function thus far. I was also hoping that it may build bacteria on it. It has gone from white to yellowish lately, not sure if that is dirty or bacteria. I will likely try removing it when I get time to test.

I am at half throttle atm, with no leaking. Just leaving it there for now. I may inspect the filter wool soon, but seems too early to clean anything. Honestly, I think I may consider to mod this anyway.

 

[x3ro]

Honestly sounds like you just have too much filter media in there..

I have two AC70's on my 55g tank, and neither has flow that reaches high enough to leak..

I have the sponge, then a sack full of filter floss, then the bio-max rings on top...

Take out your carbon, and replace it with whatever floss you're using, and try that... Even on max flow mine don't leak. I do have to turn down the flow though because with both, the water circulation on max with both of them going is WAY too strong.

 

[feederfish]

Bingo!

I just pulled the filter wool out and the water level dropped big time. I will put less wool in and I bet that will work. If not the carbon will come out next.

Guess I need to throw away my mod blue prints... or try and sell them to Hagen. *nod*

(EDIT) I cleaned the filter wool in tank water and removed about 2/3 of it. Running at max flow no problems. Sweet. No idea why this wasn't more obvious to me. *scratches head* Anyway, thanks!

 

[excuzzzeme]

With AC's you don't need floss to "polish the water". I run 2 sponges and the bio-media. I cut the second sponge to be the same height the carbon bag was. Never needed anything else.

 

[Paladinpress]

I have an AC70 on a 29 and an AC30 on my new 10g. I have them setup with the basics that came with the filters. Any reason to run or not run the carbon when the time comes to change it out? I see a lot of posts where people say to ditch carbon. It is supposed to scrub out harmful chemicals right? So, if you don't have harmful chemicals being added to your tank, what's the purpose of carbon?

I see that you run two sponges exc, anything else that you could/should run in the carbon's spot?

 

[customdrum]

With AC's you don't need floss to "polish the water". I run 2 sponges and the bio-media. I cut the second sponge to be the same height the carbon bag was. Never needed anything else.

same here no need for the carbon, its a waste of money to buy it.
i have 5 ac filters running now and just have bio ball or cermaics and sponges, nothing else.

they say carbon filters some of the ferts out of the water if you dose and others say it doesnt. i dose so i dont use carbon. i think its just to expensive to buy every few weeks.

 

[excuzzzeme]

Any reason to run or not run the carbon when the time comes to change it out? I see a lot of posts where people say to ditch carbon. It is supposed to scrub out harmful chemicals right? So, if you don't have harmful chemicals being added to your tank, what's the purpose of carbon?

I do not advocate using/not using carbon. Many use carbon to eliminate smell and meds. For some, it has it's place. Just does nothing for me.

I see that you run two sponges exc, anything else that you could/should run in the carbon's spot?

Just about anything you can think of such as the floss that you were using. The key to using floss is not to pack it down firm. If you have a diatom problem you can always add a phosphate remover pad in there.