Fluval AquaClear not turning back on

[PowderHound]

I was doing my weekly water change and had unplugged my filter because I was going to be changing enough water this time and it would not have been getting water if I left it on while changing. After I get the new water in there I pour a cupful into the filter and plug it in and nothing! Have I done something wrong? The outlet that I plugged into has power running through it. I’ve had this filter less than 6mo and it’s rated for 30gal and I’ve had it in my 20gal for about 4mo and a 29 for almost 2mo now... Tips and info much appreciated!

 

[CoryBoi]

I have had this happen with a fluval filter before, you unplug them and they never turn back on. I had to send my motor to the company and it cost me $10! I had bought the c3 when it was 47$ so that was cheaper than replacing it, but now the c3 is only $22!

 

[Jonmott]

Take the intake pipe off and flick the impeller with a pen or toothpick while turned on. This is a known issue with AC’s

 

[coralbandit]

Manually spin the impeller ..

 

[Algonquin]

I've had this exact problem intermittently with my Aquaclear. It's a pretty old one (more than 10 years). It's probably just the impeller sticking (at least that's what's happening with mine). I use a little bottle brush to get into the impeller housing (gently) and give it a clean, get any gunk out that might be stuck in there, and give it a rinse. Sometimes, it just needs a little 'push', as Johnmott says. Should be back up and running after that. Fingers crossed!

 

[Kitley]

Mine is a month or two old and I find sometimes it takes a bit of coaxing. I just jeep puring water in until it kicks in. Good luck, hope you get it going.

 

[CoryBoi]

I've had this exact problem intermittently with my Aquaclear. It's a pretty old one (more than 10 years). It's probably just the impeller sticking (at least that's what's happening with mine). I use a little bottle brush to get into the impeller housing (gently) and give it a clean, get any gunk out that might be stuck in there, and give it a rinse. Sometimes, it just needs a little 'push', as Johnmott says. Should be back up and running after that. Fingers crossed!

Mine is a month or two old and I find sometimes it takes a bit of coaxing. I just jeep puring water in until it kicks in. Good luck, hope you get it going.

The op is saying it doesn't turn on at all, if the impeller just needs a push then it would still make at least a little noise.

 

[Kitley]

The op is saying it doesn't turn on at all, if the impeller just needs a push then it would still make at least a little noise.

Ah, yes...sorry/ missed that.

 

[PowderHound]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It does seem like it’s more of a mechanical-electrical issue as no matter what it doesn’t seem to want to kick on. I did try getting in to the impeller and getting it going that way but, yea, it all seems very dead. I’m going to contact the manufacturer to see what they can suggest for me. Again, this is not an old filter and I haven’t been overworking it. I feel like I should have gotten more use out of it...
Thanks again!

 

[JenC]

The op is saying it doesn't turn on at all, if the impeller just needs a push then it would still make at least a little noise.

My Aquaclears don't make any noise when the impellers needs to be re-seated. I'm not saying OP's motor isn't broken but the lack of noise isn't atypical in my experience.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. It does seem like it’s more of a mechanical-electrical issue as no matter what it doesn’t seem to want to kick on. I did try getting in to the impeller and getting it going that way but, yea, it all seems very dead. I’m going to contact the manufacturer to see what they can suggest for me. Again, this is not an old filter and I haven’t been overworking it. I feel like I should have gotten more use out of it...
Thanks again!

Sometimes it takes me a few attempts to get the impeller adjusted before my Aquaclears restart, so maybe give it a few more tries. You don't have to disassemble the filter to do it. You can unplug it, pull the gray plastic impeller chamber cover up and off, and use tweezers to pull the impeller up and out while the filter remains in its usual place. Wipe it off if it's gunky, use Q-tips to quickly clean inside the impeller chamber if it's been a while, then pop the impeller back in. Make sure there's water in it, then try restarting it.

I have two Aquaclears and this happens to me a few times a year. They're silent when I turn them on, I think they're dead, but reseating the impellers has always worked. Good luck!

 

[coralbandit]

I use a bamboo skewer to spin start mine after moving the tube out of the way . Doing that while the unit is plugged in works ...

 

[PowderHound]

My Aquaclears don't make any noise when the impellers needs to be re-seated. I'm not saying OP's motor isn't broken but the lack of noise isn't atypical in my experience.



Sometimes it takes me a few attempts to get the impeller adjusted before my Aquaclears restart, so maybe give it a few more tries. You don't have to disassemble the filter to do it. You can unplug it, pull the gray plastic impeller chamber cover up and off, and use tweezers to pull the impeller up and out while the filter remains in its usual place. Wipe it off if it's gunky, use Q-tips to quickly clean inside the impeller chamber if it's been a while, then pop the impeller back in. Make sure there's water in it, then try restarting.

You’ve inspired me! I will keep trying it once I get home from work. It’s not like they’re super expensive but I’m not looking forward to buying another so I’ll give her a fair few more attempts before giving up and calling it quits.

 

[coralbandit]

You’ve inspired me! I will keep trying it once I get home from work. It’s not like they’re super expensive but I’m not looking forward to buying another so I’ll give her a fair few more attempts before giving up and calling it quits.

I have like 40+ Aquaclears running right now !
It should start right up for you ..I have ones get noisy but not one has failed yet in years of use ..
Power failures are their bane and I already know to go around and check all of them after .
The one thing I don't like about Aquaclears is really only a factor on the 30's and under ..
They are so small that there suction point is pretty high and if your water level is lower the top of the pump you will likely lose suction and need a cup to fill the filter with water again .. Been doing this for years now ! They are still the best the industry has to offer no matter how sad that sounds !