Aqueon making noise

[slipgate]

One of my HOB Aqueon filters (came free with a tank) is making a loud racket. I am pretty sure that it is the impeller/motor in the removable housing. I am debating wether it is worth fixing this or not. I use it, but could get by without it.

Has anyone had a similar issue and fixed it? This is only a $20 filter so it probably is not worth fixing if it means buying new parts.

 

[RNeiswander]

Have you taken it apart and inspected it?

 

[dbosman]

There are several "usual" suspects for noise in cheap HOB filters.
- a small bit of plastic flashing from the molding process needs to be trimmed.
- impeller shaft is bent. Roll it on a table. If it doesn't roll straight, it's bent. (or your table top is warped)
- impeller shaft not seated, or fully seated in the plastic "bearings" top and bottom.
- wrong size impeller shaft or impeller due to some jerk swapping parts at the store.
- fin cracked or broken on the impeller.
- something is in the impeller well.

Try putting a bit of silicone lube, or petroleum jelly, on the shaft to make it spin more smoothly. Petroleum jelly doesn't affect standard aquarium plastics.

 

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

^ yup good idea ^