Aquaclear 20 Water Dripping/splashing Noise?

Hey All,

I have a Aquaclear 20 on my 10 gallon and I have it baffled pretty well because I have my Double Tail Betta in there. It's been making this splashing noise or dripping noise like if you poured water on top of water. Has anyone ever heard this before? Could it be because I have it baffled so much that it kinda splashing around inside the filter?

 

It could be. How far below the outfall is the water's surface? Is the intake centred over the impeller?

 

It could be. How far below the outfall is the water's surface? Is the intake centred over the impeller?

It's very close so it's not from the water hitting the surface. I'm not sure what you mean by intake centered over the impeller?? It's assembled correctly if that's what you mean..

 

In the lid there's a long hole that a spike on one elbow of the u-shaped intake tube pokes through. You can move that end of the intake back and forth to adjust how close it is to the impeller so you can adjust the intake suction. See if you can push it more to the left.

 

In the lid there's a long hole that a spike on one elbow of the u-shaped intake tube pokes through. You can move that end of the intake back and forth to adjust how close it is to the impeller so you can adjust the intake suction. See if you can push it more to the left.

Oh I didn't even know you could do that..is it there on purpose to adjust suction? & your not talking about the little knob thing on the top of the filter that adjusts flow rate right?

In the lid there's a long hole that a spike on one elbow of the u-shaped intake tube pokes through. You can move that end of the intake back and forth to adjust how close it is to the impeller so you can adjust the intake suction. See if you can push it more to the left.

Also, this isn't related to the noise I'm getting but I'm wondering does water flow through the motor part at all or no? Does the motor just power the impeller?

 

Oh I didn't even know you could do that..is it there on purpose to adjust suction? & your not talking about the little knob thing on the top of the filter that adjusts flow rate right?

I think aquaphobia is talking about the knob that adjusts flow.. it does adjust the amount of suction = flow... and to answer your other question: no, the water doesn't go through the motor, the motor just powers the impeller

Check to make sure it's not leaking. Mine isn't even baffled, & one night (my 20H w/ my Aquaclear is in my bedroom) I heard this very small cracking sound - heard it once - along with the water sound you are describing (still hear both every so often) & discovered it was leaking... still can't find a crack, & it doesn't always leak, just sometimes. I have a new Eheim canister hooked up (been there 2 weeks now - 2 more to go), so I'm waiting for it to get properly seeded before I throw away my Aquaclear. I hope this isn't your problem!! But, just check to make sure!

 

I think aquaphobia is talking about the knob that adjusts flow.. it does adjust the amount of suction = flow... and to answer your other question: no, the water doesn't go through the motor, the motor just powers the impeller

Check to make sure it's not leaking. Mine isn't even baffled, & one night (my 20H w/ my Aquaclear is in my bedroom) I heard this very small cracking sound - heard it once - along with the water sound you are describing (still hear both every so often) & discovered it was leaking... still can't find a crack, & it doesn't always leak, just sometimes. I have a new Eheim canister hooked up (been there 2 weeks now - 2 more to go), so I'm waiting for it to get properly seeded before I throw away my Aquaclear. I hope this isn't your problem!! But, just check to make sure!

Hey thanks for your reply. Yeah I already checked and no crack or leak. The weird thing is if I unplug it and plug it back in real quick I can get it to stop. Then it will start making the sound again.. I'm thinking it's from being baffled because if you look on the side of the filter where the flow rate knob is you can see a water line and usually you can see the water kinda moving but on the one I have baffled a lot its really moving a lot and I'm thinking that's what the sound is. I'll mess with it in the morning and see what happens and update you.

 

Hey thanks for your reply. Yeah I already checked and no crack or leak. The weird thing is if I unplug it and plug it back in real quick I can get it to stop. Then it will start making the sound again.. I'm thinking it's from being baffled because if you look on the side of the filter where the flow rate knob is you can see a water line and usually you can see the water kinda moving but on the one I have baffled a lot its really moving a lot and I'm thinking that's what the sound is. I'll mess with it in the morning and see what happens and update you.

Glad to hear it's not leaking!! And after that explanation, it does sound like it's doing that because of the baffle... but as long as it's not causing it to overflow, & still works, then there's no problem (& as long as the noise doesn't bug anyone lol)

If anything it's causing water to go back through the filter/making the incoming water go through slower.. which is just fine. Gives the water more contact time with the BB.

But definitely report back after you investigate further please!

 

Oh I didn't even know you could do that..is it there on purpose to adjust suction? & your not talking about the little knob thing on the top of the filter that adjusts flow rate right?

It's right above the impeller and sticks through the cover. You'll see it.

 

Glad to hear it's not leaking!! And after that explanation, it does sound like it's doing that because of the baffle... but as long as it's not causing it to overflow, & still works, then there's no problem (& as long as the noise doesn't bug anyone lol)

If anything it's causing water to go back through the filter/making the incoming water go through slower.. which is just fine. Gives the water more contact time with the BB.

But definitely report back after you investigate further please!

So I messed with it a little this morning and when I pushed the flow rate knob all the way to the left or even halfway the sound goes away. Problem is then it makes the flow higher and that's the whole reason I baffled it in the first place ughhh lol

It's right above the impeller and sticks through the cover. You'll see it.

Yeah I moved it to the left and it did stop the noise but it made the flow rate high which is what I'm trying to avoid any suggestions? Do you know what may be causing it now that we know maximizing the suction makes the sound go away..?

 

I've always found that leaving the impeller partially uncovered to reduce the amount of water pulled into the intake causes the water already in the filter housing to slosh around more. I think your best bet will be to either get a smaller filter or put both a prefilter sponge on the intake and a baffle on the outflow. You might need to try other types of baffles to find the one that works best for you.

 

I think aquaphobia is talking about the knob that adjusts flow.. it does adjust the amount of suction = flow... and to answer your other question: no, the water doesn't go through the motor, the motor just powers the impeller

Check to make sure it's not leaking. Mine isn't even baffled, & one night (my 20H w/ my Aquaclear is in my bedroom) I heard this very small cracking sound - heard it once - along with the water sound you are describing (still hear both every so often) & discovered it was leaking... still can't find a crack, & it doesn't always leak, just sometimes. I have a new Eheim canister hooked up (been there 2 weeks now - 2 more to go), so I'm waiting for it to get properly seeded before I throw away my Aquaclear. I hope this isn't your problem!! But, just check to make sure!

I wouldn't throw it away. You can order replacement parts for Aquaclear super easy. Including the actual casing that holds everything. I'd order the part, and keep the filter as a backup, or to use with next/another tank.

 

I wouldn't throw it away. You can order replacement parts for Aquaclear super easy. Including the actual casing that holds everything. I'd order the part, and keep the filter as a backup, or to use with next/another tank.

Thanks! Yea, knew that, but that idea completely slipped my mind! Lol. The motor & impeller are dead silent, so it is worth keeping.