Strange tapping sound( intermittent ) from hob filter/heater?

Yesterday, I started noticing a strange "tapping" sound. Its def coming from the tank but not sure what it is? I have a 200w submersible heater and a Aqueon hob filter. It doesn't make the sound all the time and just randomly.... Any ideas? Any one else have this?????

The only thing different I did recently was fill the water all the way to the top of the tank....

Driving me crazy!

TIA!

 

Maybe something in the impeller from time to time?

 

That would be my guess or the impeller is slightly unbalanced.

 

I dunno - kind of like a light "knocking" sound - almost afraid to open it up - one of my snails is MIA ( or I can't see him if he is in the main coral structure )

That would be my guess or the impeller is slightly unbalanced.

So how does one "balance" an impeller? And where is this located exactly?

 

Not much you can do. There may be something in the impeller chamber that is causing the issue. You can check to see if the rod the impeller sits on is perfectly vertical, sometimes they lean.
The impeller is located in the hard plastic box of the filter, usually on the bottom., where the motor is located.

 

Not much you can do. There may be something in the impeller chamber that is causing the issue. You can check to see if the rod the impeller sits on is perfectly vertical, sometimes they lean.
The impeller is located in the hard plastic box of the filter, usually on the bottom., where the motor is located.

I will open it up later - thanks!

 

Hmmm. I kind of looked around, not knowing what I was doing so I thought I'd better just close it up and attempt it another time after doing more research. The tapping noise is still there and it is most def coming from the filter ( I shut off the power for a little bit and it stopped ) so..................

 

I get the same exact sound if a snail gets in the filter :s

 

I get the same exact sound if a snail gets in the filter :s

OMG!

You did not just say that!!!! I am missing one of my black mystery snails!!! ishy10
I haven't seen "Darth" for at least a day and I can't tell if he is hiding in my coral thingy........

 

My nerite snails climb in the filters all the time. What brand of fiter do you have? Some brands the impeller can be accessed by pulling out the intake tube from the box.

 

My nerite snails climb in the filters all the time. What brand of fiter do you have? Some brands the impeller can be accessed by pulling out the intake tube from the box.

I'll check that again. I looked and didn't see a snail but may have to look closer.....
I have a HOB Aqueon 30 power filter.....

 

LOL!! Yep... Aqueon filter...

Hopefully he'll be ok, I've never had a snail injured in one before. I would take off the filter impeller box (where the intake tube comes out of) and shine a flashlight into the impeller to look for them.

 

Morse code is a universal language among snails, apparently. ;D

 

WHO TOLD YOU!!! Somebody is in SOOOOO much trouble.

 

.... . .-.. .--. .-.-.- / .-.. --- ...- . --..-- / -.. .- .-. - .... .-.-.-

Translated: Help. Love, Darth.

 

I just can't see how he could have gotten in there IF he is there.... No opening big enough????? I will be home in a few hours so hope to check then...... If he is, he is gonna get a snail spanking!

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I love this forum lol! I do hope your find the poor lil guy. :3

 

They can climb the outside of the intake tube of the filter.

 

They can climb the outside of the intake tube of the filter.

Who knew!!!!! I hope its not him but it seems weird.... I raised the water level all the way to the top, Darth snail is missing and now I hear tapping... Coincidence? I hope so.....

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Oh they are crafty devils.

 

I'm thinking Darth is "sulking" because he is usually out on the zucchini. I didnt put any in the tank for 2 days. Lol

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I'm happy to report, Darth has been located!
Although the filter is no longer making that noise ( not yet anyways since I have been home ) all snails accounted for...... Hmmm...
<sigh of relief>

 

I bet he rescued himself!

 

I bet he rescued himself!

haha -

 

Just hope he didn't think it was fun lol.

 

Just hope he didn't think it was fun lol.

And you know, I have NOT heard that tapping sound since I have been home and since I found Darth! Could it be he was hiding????????? Strange!

 

Haha I bet he found his way in there and when tapping SOS didn't work he just found his way right back out lol. At least he came back and didn't go carpet surfing.

 

Haha I bet he found his way in there and when tapping SOS didn't work he just found his way right back out lol. At least he came back and didn't go carpet surfing.

Tapping started again. Time to investigate! ????
Unfortunately, we have wood floors and its a loooong ways down...........

 

I think you need to get some mesh to block all holes in the filter lol.

 

I'm glad you found the snail. It seems likely the tapping is the impeller. If you pull out the intake tube, there's the impeller box right under it. Usually, there's a housing that comes out so you can clean in there. It might be off balance or full of gunk. I use a chopstick to scrape away the gunk once in a while. There may also be gravel being pulled in and banging around until it works it way out.

Nina

 

I'm glad you found the snail. It seems likely the tapping is the impeller. If you pull out the intake tube, there's the impeller box right under it. Usually, there's a housing that comes out so you can clean in there. It might be off balance or full of gunk. I use a chopstick to scrape away the gunk once in a while. There may also be gravel being pulled in and banging around until it works it way out.

Nina

Thank you. Going to check that out in a bit.... I tried to look at it yesterday, although I didn't pull that tube out. In the process, all kinds of stuff fell out of the media - I've only had the tank running since 4/30 so I am sure the bacteria ( hopefully ) good is building up.....

 

Sometimes they are eating all the yummy slime on the uptake tube or even the out flow where the water runs into the tank and then fall into the filter. They are crafty when there is stuff(this is normal) to eat.
Carol

 

Wow you all must have some teeny tiny snails because after looking at mine, there's no way anything bigger than a small pea can get in through the tube - the only way would be through the outflow area and with the water pouring out like it is, seems kinda unlikely anything would be able to get in there........................
Well I put out the zucchinI and ALL of the snails are currently snacking on it right now!!! - seems that's the only way to make them come out during the day

 

So besides this terribly annoying noise of the "tapping" sound, is there any damage that's occurring inside my filter? I can't seem to pinpoint where/what the noise is!!!!