29 Gallon Tank Aqua Clear 50 has Weakening Flow

[WrenFeenix]

I have an Aqua Clear 50 I bought in early 2017. It's been on my goldfish tank for the entire time, and receives weekly cleaning. For the past week, the flow rate has been terrible and getting worse. This has happened before, but cleaning has always fixed it previously. I cleaned it thoroughly, so it's not gunk buildup this time. I've run it without media with no improvement at all, so the media isn't clogged. I replaced the O-ring last year, so it's not a bad o-ring. The impeller is moving and the intake tube is at the maximum flow position. The only thing left is the motor/impeller shaft. There is some scoring on the shaft, but it doesn't seem that bad...
Maybe there's still some gunk way up inside the impeller? I don't have anything small enough to fit in there.

Any ideas? I have several other filters I can use if it dies, but I'm trying to keep the current one going.

 

[HupGupp]

I bought a set of pipe cleaner brushes which are quite good for cleaning the impeller and the shaft it sits in. They both need to be cleaned occasionally to keep the flow rate up. I'm sure you'll be able to get a set on Amazon wherever you are.

 

[86 ssinit]

If you’ve pulled the impeller and cleaned the gunk off it and the shaft it goes into your done. Motor may just be going bad.

 

[kallililly1973]

Maybe a toothpick or a hairpin thing will fit inside the hole of the impeller. Aside from that I would agree probably weak or dying motor. Try to contact AC and see if they can send you out a new one. Not sure what warranty they offer on them.

 

[Fishfur]

Maybe a toothpick or a hairpin thing will fit inside the hole of the impeller. Aside from that I would agree probably weak or dying motor. Try to contact AC and see if they can send you out a new one. Not sure what warranty they offer on them.

If the impeller shaft has scoring I would replace it and if there is any sign of rust, a rub with steel wool will take that off and as a temporary aid you can use a little petroleum jelly or mineral oil on it but wipe as much off as possible so there’s just a film left on the metal.

I have at least a 15 ACs of all sizes and a lot of assorted parts for them with several extra motors.

Most were elderly when I got them at auctions and I’ve had some of them for more than 15 years. It makes some of the motors pushing 25 years of age give or take and only one motor has failed so far.

Almost any problem I’ve had with them has been fixable with either a new impeller shaft and/or impeller even if the impeller looks ok.

 

[WrenFeenix]

Maybe a toothpick or a hairpin thing will fit inside the hole of the impeller. Aside from that I would agree probably weak or dying motor. Try to contact AC and see if they can send you out a new one. Not sure what warranty they offer on them.

I checked the warranty, and it's 2 years. I could potentially get a new motor (if it qualifies as a "non-replaceable part"), but I have to pay postage and ship the whole filter to Fluval. Buying a new one might be easier.

If the impeller shaft has scoring I would replace it and if there is any sign of rust, a rub with steel wool will take that off and as a temporary aid you can use a little petroleum jelly or mineral oil on it but wipe as much off as possible so there’s just a film left on the metal.

I have at least a 15 ACs of all sizes and a lot of assorted parts for them with several extra motors.

Most were elderly when I got them at auctions and I’ve had some of them for more than 15 years. It makes some of the motors pushing 25 years of age give or take and only one motor has failed so far.

Almost any problem I’ve had with them has been fixable with either a new impeller shaft and/or impeller even if the impeller looks ok.

I have a replacement impeller. I'll put it on and see what it does. If that doesn't help, I'll try the steel wool and petroleum jelly.

 

[Fishfur]

I checked the warranty, and it's 2 years. I could potentially get a new motor (if it qualifies as a "non-replaceable part"), but I have to pay postage and ship the whole filter to Fluval. Buying a new one might be easier.

I have a replacement impeller. I'll put it on and see what it does. If that doesn't help, I'll try the steel wool and petroleum jelly.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[WrenFeenix]

Bad news: the motor died. It died before I could even put the new impeller in. I tried anyway, and neither the new nor old impeller will move. Steel wool, petroleum jelly does nothing. I think the motor was slowly dying for a while, and it finally gave up. At least Aqua Clears are on sale at the pet store right now.

Thanks for all your help! I have one more question: can I regularly use petroleum jelly on the impeller shaft? Maybe it can help preserve the motor over time.

 

[Fishfur]

Bad news: the motor died. It died before I could even put the new impeller in. I tried anyway, and neither the new nor old impeller will move. Steel wool, petroleum jelly does nothing. I think the motor was slowly dying for a while, and it finally gave up. At least Aqua Clears are on sale at the pet store right now.

Thanks for all your help! I have one more question: can I regularly use petroleum jelly on the impeller shaft? Maybe it can help preserve the motor over time.

I don’t see why not so long as it’s the barest possible film of the stuff and never thick enough to be seen except as a shine. It might just delay the inevitable corrosion that eventually ruins them and now I think of that I’m going to try it myself.

If it can keep steel on a car from rusting (which it certainly does) then it should do the same for a SS impeller shaft.

I would contact Hagen snd see about getting a new motor though, hopefully for free under warranty. Those things are usually very durable but nothing is perfect.