I have a used one I just cleaned out and properly assembled (I downloaded the manual and had my assembly double checked). When I plug it in, nothing happens(outlet is fine). What would be your next course of action? Would you order a new impeller? Something wrong with the motor? Give up?!?!
magnum 250
- Thread starter Holly9937
- Start date
push button
Some units have a power button on the outside, hard to notice, middle of the canister half way down.
You also need to fill it full of water to begin with.
Some units have a power button on the outside, hard to notice, middle of the canister half way down.
You also need to fill it full of water to begin with.
I filled it with water first, plugged it in and pushed the button. Its funny, you're right... I almost missed the button b/c its not labeled!! The rubber on the button is pretty worn, and I can pull it aside and see the actual button underneath, but it seems to still "push" ok, in case that was a problem?
Ok
Next, if the button wasn't the thing, lets try to see if the motor has power.
I've not done this with the Magnum but the Eheim folks talked me through this so let's try it.
Take the filter apart. Remove the impeller. Straighten out a paper clip and put it into the impeller well. Plug the power in and turn it on, the paper clip should vibrate -- that means the motor is working. If it is not, check parts prices but probably best to dump it, I'm not sure.
Next, look at the impeller. When you turn the blades, they should not go all the way around, they go part way then stop. If it goes all the way around then replace the impeller, many large pet stores carry these, not cheap however. The shaft should be straight, the impeller should be magnetic. It should not have any particularly shiny spots on it.
After that, I'd check the assembly again. But even if the two gaskets were out of place it ought to run, loudly. If the cage the impeller is in is not put back right, if it is crooked, you will bend the impeller and it might not work or will run loudly.
Next, if the button wasn't the thing, lets try to see if the motor has power.
I've not done this with the Magnum but the Eheim folks talked me through this so let's try it.
Take the filter apart. Remove the impeller. Straighten out a paper clip and put it into the impeller well. Plug the power in and turn it on, the paper clip should vibrate -- that means the motor is working. If it is not, check parts prices but probably best to dump it, I'm not sure.
Next, look at the impeller. When you turn the blades, they should not go all the way around, they go part way then stop. If it goes all the way around then replace the impeller, many large pet stores carry these, not cheap however. The shaft should be straight, the impeller should be magnetic. It should not have any particularly shiny spots on it.
After that, I'd check the assembly again. But even if the two gaskets were out of place it ought to run, loudly. If the cage the impeller is in is not put back right, if it is crooked, you will bend the impeller and it might not work or will run loudly.
Thanks for the tips, I'll give them a shot this weekend. :thm: I got this used with a tank I bought, so I'm not really out anything if it doesn't work, but I do need some more filtration on my tank and I'd really like to avoid buying something new if I don't have to.
I really like the HOT 250, I have bought 3 used so far, one was some sort of imitation and it was fine also. They are very strong, high flow rate, so beware, it would be hard to use this on anything less than a 55 gallon. I run mine with the nozzle taken off the outlet so it is less of a jet, but still it is strong.
Same here.
Darn thing threw one of my otos from one side of the tank to the other, lengthwise, and killed it
She was carrying eggs, too.
anonapersona suggested taking the nozzle off, I didn't think of that myself until after she mentioned it in another thread. Instead I cut off a leg piece of pantyhose, put that over the end of the nozzle -- leaving a tomato sized bubble -- and fastened it with a rubber band. It works fine, so I left the nozzle on.
I just realized that my 36 gallon is almost triple filtered with the Magnum on it. Heh.
Roan
Darn thing threw one of my otos from one side of the tank to the other, lengthwise, and killed it
She was carrying eggs, too.anonapersona suggested taking the nozzle off, I didn't think of that myself until after she mentioned it in another thread. Instead I cut off a leg piece of pantyhose, put that over the end of the nozzle -- leaving a tomato sized bubble -- and fastened it with a rubber band. It works fine, so I left the nozzle on.
I just realized that my 36 gallon is almost triple filtered with the Magnum on it. Heh.
Roan
