AC 50 HOB question

[aquabee]

Hey all. Just unplugged my AC50 for literally 10 seconds, didn't even move it or anything, and when I plugged it back in... nothing. Tried several different outlets on and off the power strip, and the impeller didn't even make a sound. I'm worried about my comps... they're gonna hafta make it through the night on just an airstone. Hopefully Petsmart will be open tomorrow so I can pick up another AC.

Has this ever happened to anyone? Just wondering how the electrical part of it went out immediately, just like that. Ideas?

[Bedlamer]

Trouble shooting... First check that the circuit you are using didn't trip a circuit breaker or blow a fuse. Then I'd drop the media basket into the tank to help keep your bio filter viable. Twist the motor housing off after you drain the thing. Pop the impeller out and have a look in the cavity to see if you can see any crud in there. Use a small brush or Q-tip to clean it--be gentle, don't warp the little post in there. Put the impellor back in. Plug the motor into a socket that is known to be working and visualize if the thing is spinning (don't run it dry for extended periods). If that doesn't work--and you go out and buy a new one tomorrow--try swapping out the parts until you figure what is broken--then you can order just the replacement part--you be out some money, but you'll have 2 working filters.

[Bedlamer]

Also depending on the bio load in that tank, you might want to draw up and heat some water tonight before you go to bed--so you can do a big water change in the morning before you go shopping. I have various AC HOBs including the 50. I've had them get clogged on me due to a gradual algae/detritus build up. I had a mini die due to me running it in a bucket with ADA Amazon soil--which I didn't rinse at all--so a combination of the very fine particulate matter and or maybe the high iron content cooked something. You might have gotten a snail lodged in there. I dunno just throwing some ideas out there.

[aquabee]

Thanks for the advice, Harry. I thought about it getting clogged, but when I plug it in, it's as if I never did. There is no sound at all. Everything else is running on the power strip and another wall outlet. I have no plants and no snails in this tank. I feel like it's an electrical problem because absolutely nothing happens when I plug it in. Usually with my AC's, if I have detritus build up, it'll turn on and rattle or hum or something, but this is making not a single sound. Weird.

I did fill the media chamber with tank water to keep it all seeded and alive. The air stone is going. Hopefully Petsmart will be open tomorrow and I can pick up a new one. Then I'll tinker around with the old one to see what's up.

[Bedlamer]

The Pet Smart website doesn't show Holiday hours but I do believe they are open tomorrow--I was in 3 of them today and didn't notice any signs up for Holiday hours either. The website shows that on Saturdays most stores open at 0900 and at least 2 open at 0700--althought they do advise to call ahead to make sure.

[Bedlamer]

Thanks for the advice, Harry.

YW

I thought about it getting clogged, but when I plug it in, it's as if I never did. There is no sound at all.


Pull it a part and have a look see.

Everything else is running on the power strip and another wall outlet.

Did you try it on an outlet you know to be working? You may have had an outlet on the power strip fail--most of them are pretty crappily made.

I have no plants and no snails in this tank. I feel like it's an electrical problem because absolutely nothing happens when I plug it in. Usually with my AC's, if I have detritus build up, it'll turn on and rattle or hum or something, but this is making not a single sound. Weird.

Look at it direct you must young Paduwan.

I did fill the media chamber with tank water to keep it all seeded and alive.

The increased water volume of dropping it in your your tank should help your bene bacters make it through the night.

The air stone is going. Hopefully Petsmart will be open tomorrow and I can pick up a new one. Then I'll tinker around with the old one to see what's up.

There is no try just do.

Sorry I felt the need to channel need Yoda there--lol.

Hey, don't you have an aquarium pro on speed dial? If all else fails I'd recommend a late night phone call, lots of weeping, and veiled suggestions someone makes a late night run to Stafford for you...

[dblondfemme]

I sometimes have to stick my finger or a long thin object in and jump start my Ac's... it happens to me when the power goes off, or when I am first using one. So before you go out and spend money.... try that. I recently cleaned one of mine and scrubbed it out. When I put it all back together and plugged it in...NOTHING.... so I jump started it and it is running like a dream.

[rmalford]

I sometimes have to stick my finger or a long thin object in and jump start my Ac's... it happens to me when the power goes off, or when I am first using one. So before you go out and spend money.... try that. I recently cleaned one of mine and scrubbed it out. When I put it all back together and plugged it in...NOTHING.... so I jump started it and it is running like a dream.

What'd you stick your finger in?

[dblondfemme]

oh sorry.... where the intake sits over the impeller..... I am jump starting the impeller. AC's are famous for needing water in them in order to run.....like not all are good at sucking the water in to begin on their own. So I have water in the filter, it set up on the back of the tank, then remove or move to the side the intake tube.

[rmalford]

oh sorry.... where the intake sits over the impeller..... I am jump starting the impeller. AC's are famous for needing water in them in order to run.....like not all are good at sucking the water in to begin on their own. So I have water in the filter, it set up on the back of the tank, then remove or move to the side the intake tube.

Thanks, R. I was just curious. I haven't had a problem with my 110 starting. I have had a few HOB that did not start back up on it's own after power outages.

[dblondfemme]

Seriously....jumpstarting the aqua clears is the ONLY problem I ever have... I have parts for prob 50 filters in a closet at my home. I just put one together for a crayfish tank. It did not move at all when I plugged it in..and I reached my finger down in where the impeller sits and flicked it a little and VIOLA! Tank is running :-)

[aquabee]

Seriously....jumpstarting the aqua clears is the ONLY problem I ever have... I have parts for prob 50 filters in a closet at my home. I just put one together for a crayfish tank. It did not move at all when I plugged it in..and I reached my finger down in where the impeller sits and flicked it a little and VIOLA! Tank is running :-)

R... you are a godsend!!!! It worked like a charm! I stuck a pair of planting tongs into the impeller and it rattled for a sec and started working! That's insane!! Thanks for figuring it out and thanks for helping me!

[dblondfemme]

*happy dance* at first I felt stupid for posting....but now I am glad I did. And it was a cheap fix :-)

[aquabee]

I'm glad you did too! Many many thanks!!