eepruls

Hi,

I just bought an AquaClear 50 filter online. The impeller assembly (magnet thing with white propeller on the top) makes a bit of noise when running. It's not crazy but there is a bit of noise. I already have a 20 and it's a great filter (it's totally silent). I took the impeller assembly from the 20 and put it in the motor of the 50 and the 50 ran silently.

My question is if it is okay to run an AquaClear 50 filter with the impeller assembly from the 20. It fits fine and looks like exactly the same size. I'd rather not have to return the whole filter (with shipping back and all that) especially when the noise isn't really that bad (but the 20 is better!). I was thinking I could use the impeller assembly from my current 20 in the new 50 and use the one from the 50 in the 20 if I ever need it.

What makes an AquaClear 50 process more water than the 20? The motors are the same size and use the same power. It almost looks like it's just the size of the basket and unit itself. So, by putting the impeller assembly from the 20 into the 50, would I essentially be turning my 50 into a 20? Or is it fine? I thought I would check because I'm not quite sure what makes AquaClear filters different.

Shawnie

if it fits, and runs, I wouldnt see why not ...but im a girlie and we are always rigging something up to something we shouldnt LOL

eepruls

Wow, that was fast. Two minutes after I posted? Wow.

It fits fine and the filter looks like it's working perfectly. They sell impeller assemblies for each filter separately (i.e. you can buy one for the 50, one for the 30, etc.). If they were interchangeable, why wouldn't they just sell one and label it "For AquaClear 20-50 filters" or the like?

Shawnie

I agree

eepruls

Even though you can put a 20 in a 50, does the filter still work as a 50? Does anyone know? I read on another forum that people were buying the 20 impeller replacement for their 70's so I'm assuming it's okay! They seem to all be interchangeable but do the filters still maintain the GPH output they should?

aquarist48

Are the impellers the same size?

TedsTank

If the impeller blades are identical then the difference would only be the speed of the motors in each model, so by swapping the impellers you would still have the same gph as the model is rated for.

eepruls

I took a closer look and the propeller blades are actually a few millimetres longer in the 50. It's so small they almost look the same. The rest of the impeller assembly is exactly the same though and fits in either motor.

The motors in the AquaClears are all the same (60Hz, 7W) so that tiny bit of increased propeller must create a greater water flow. The thing is, when I put the impeller assembly from the 20 into the 50, the filter seems to run exactly the same. The same amount of water comes out the front at the same speed. Could the actual size of the basket and 'lip' where the water falls back into the tank contribute to how much water is filtered or is it just the motor that affects it?

I'm just curious how the filters actually work and what is happening as you upgrade.

pepetj

My opinion based on my experience:

It works the same.

The GPH difference comes from the intake tube diameter differences in both models. AquaClear flow can be adjusted by... moving the intake tube right? .

Pepe
Santo Domingo

ccb04

Yes, you can use the impeller from the 20 in the 50.

AquaClear models 20, 30, 50, and 70 ... all share the same motor. The primary difference is the size of the impeller.

According to DFS ... the extension tubes for the AC20 and AC50 are the same (same MFG#, etc.) ... with the 70 (300) and 110 (500) being larger.

An impeller swap doesn't work that well in reverse however (putting the impeller from the 50 in the 20).

eepruls

You're right, the extension tubes are exactly the same in the 20 and 50 so that won't change the flow. So what creates the greater flow in the 50 compared to the 20 then? Is it a combination of the size of the entire thing (plastic case) and the very small difference in propeller size?

ccb04

It would seem that it is the impeller (even though the difference isn't much) and the overall filter volume (plastic casing) ... as the motors and extension tubes on both models are exactly the same.

I've used the model 20 & 30 impeller in a 50. However, when I tried the 50 impeller in the 20, it didn't work so well due to more water being forced through a smaller case volume and more narrow/smaller output. In addition, even if using a smaller impeller in the 50 ... you would still retain the larger media area/size of the 50. Depending on the tanks size ... if you wanted to use a smaller impeller, you could also simply purchase the impeller for the AC30.

AC's sometimes take a bit to break in noise wise. Others are silent from the box. Another thing that often quiets down noisier AquaClear's is simply removing the lid (even though the noise is coming from the impeller). It seems that with a unit that is initially a bit noisy ... with the lid in place (even when placed correctly), it can actually amplify the noise. I've run some AC's sans lid without any problems. Another thing, check the impeller for any small chips or burr's. And given that the filter is new you can also try this: instead of waiting for the impeller, shaft, housing, etc... to build up it's own "slime coat" if you will, you can speed up the process by taking a Q-Tip and a water conditioner with a slime coat enhancer like NovAqua+ and lightly coat the impeller magnet, shaft, and interior housing.

Try running the 50 (with the original impeller) without the lid after coating the impeller parts mentioned with a water conditioner. See if it makes a difference.

Best, ccb04