Why me?

[ryanoh]

Tonight my light system shorted out. I have no idea why.
My BRAND NEW Penguin filter also decided to start making the same grinding noise as my last one which makes me think its about to burn itself out as well. These are the two most expensive parts of the set up besides the tank, and I can't afford to keep replacing them...

This coupled with my massive fish die off the end of last week make me really want to just give up this hobby all together, which is seriously what I want to do this minute...

 

[HEADIN]

If its brand new its under warranty and ur entitled to get a replacement. Take it back to the shop and get a new 1. If its from an online source thats a bit tricky as you cant do without a filter.
Same with ur lighting if its under warranty.

 

[ryanoh]

The light was from last April, so that's probably not going to work, and the filter is from online, so I'm not sure what to do there. Uuuuuuuuugh.

 

[HEADIN]

get in touch with them and tell them what the crack is with your filter and suggest to them that they send you out a replacement asap before your filter packs in completely and your tank is left without a filter.

give it the full "very disappointed" in the reliability of the product especially when the stability and quality of your tank and fish depend extremely high on it.

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

Most issues with my filters have been the impeller. You have a sand substrate if I remember as do I. If sand gets into the housing it will make noise. Take the bio wheel and put it in the tank also the filter media. Remove the suction tube and impellor and clean them, try to look in the well where the impeller sits and see if sand or something is caught in there, put it all back together and make sure you seat the impeller in the housing completely.

Good Luck

 

[aakaakaak]

For the future, to avoid the sand in the impeller problem, you can cut a block of foam and stick it over your intake. It'll also fix the problem of fry getting sucked in too.

 

[lstorns]

I dont know if your going to fix or get a new filter, but if a new one is in the future I'd suggest an aqua clear. as for the lighting what kind of lighting sys do you have? don't know what a double bright is, is it a flourescent ?

 

[ryanoh]

I sent Marineland an email since they happen to be the maker of both the filter and the light. The light, I have no idea, but I does sound like sand in the filter. I took it apart and cleaned it the best I knew how last night, but I must have missed something if its still making that sound, right? I'm also not sure what it means to correctly seat the impeller.

Doublebright is an LED light that Marineland makes that I bought not knowing anything about what is a good or bad aquarium light. It was something I knew I would have to replace eventually, I just didn't expect it to short out like it did, or whatever happened to it.

What do you mean put a foam block over it? I tried covering it with a sponge once to prevent sand from getting it it but all it did was cut down the rate it was intaking water.

 

[lstorns]

If the impeller is'nt centered it will wiggle as it spins and make all that noise . kind of like a bent tire n a bike or car.

 

[ryanoh]

Right, but how do I make sure its in there straight?

 

[aakaakaak]

What do you mean put a foam block over it? I tried covering it with a sponge once to prevent sand from getting it it but all it did was cut down the rate it was intaking water.

Basically make a sponge filter to put over the end. I used some packing foam that came with a computer card. It works great and can serve as a secondary bio. If it cut down your water intake then you're using the wrong bubble size in the foam.

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

On that filter you put the impeller in the intake tube, and then push into the housing. Make sure it is in the intake tube, tight, all the way. It should be good after that. My LFS sells replacement parts; they are usually less then $10. It may pay to get one just in case

 

[bassbonediva]

If the sponge is cutting down on the flow of your filter too much, just put a piece of clean, unused nylon stocking (like part of a ladies' knee high) over the intake tube. It'll keep debris out, but will still allow for maximum flow.

 

[Newman]

that sucks man, I am truly sorry

 

[ryanoh]

I was pretty discouraged last night, but I supposed I'm in a better mood about it now. All my fish are currently doing fine in my 10 gallon, so if anything this gives me a good reason to empty my 40 gallon, rewash my sand and really put everything together right this time.

It still really sucks about the light though. That was expensive. I'm going to look at some DIY options for my next one.

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

Did you get a response from ML?

 

[ryanoh]

As of now I'm still waiting on one.

 

[lstorns]

I think it just has to go on to a pin but if one of th little rubber O rings is broken or not there it will always be loose. when ever mine did that I' d just replace them , but that was after yrs of service. Yours is new though , will the shop let you take it back, warrenty or something. if not a lot of shops have a parts section. can ya take your part and compare it to the would be replacement to see if its all there.

 

[ryanoh]

Still no progress on the filter, but I went to check my light before calling Marineland and it works.

I'd like to take the filter back to the shop, but I bought it on Amazon so I'm not sure if I can return it. Is there any way for sand to have gotten in the motor?

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

No the moter is sealed in the housing. Can you get a new impeller from a LFS?