Dying hob filters

[edmlfc]

Re: Dying hob filters

Just purchsed it back in Oct. or Nov. 2007. The surge protector should last more than 7 months right?
I got the heavy duty metal surge protector from Home depot, I think it was about $30-$50, I figured it would be a good one.

[ImaGuyGeek]

Re: Dying hob filters

Since we switched to sand instead of gravel we have to clean the impeller's on our HOB's more often.

[wvgdiscus]

Re: Dying hob filters

Just purchsed it back in Oct. or Nov. 2007. The surge protector should last more than 7 months right?
I got the heavy duty metal surge protector from Home depot, I think it was about $30-$50, I figured it would be a good one.

They should but does anyone have away of checking them out.

[edmlfc]

Re: Dying hob filters

I wouldn't know what to do or how to check them. But I have had 3 different HOB's on 3 different surge protecters die. I'm going to go with the sand in the impeller maybe burning up the motor. That to me makes more sense. Maybe I have my intake too low and it's sucking up sand when the fish zoom by it. If the remaining 4 die out then I will just stick with my Rena's.

[fishingaddict]

Re: Dying hob filters

fluval fx5 ftw!! or go with a couple xp3s for a 150g.

[ImaGuyGeek]

Re: Dying hob filters

I wouldn't know what to do or how to check them. But I have had 3 different HOB's on 3 different surge protecters die. I'm going to go with the sand in the impeller maybe burning up the motor. That to me makes more sense. Maybe I have my intake too low and it's sucking up sand when the fish zoom by it. If the remaining 4 die out then I will just stick with my Rena's.

We are usually able to revive the HOB's with a good cleaning or a new impeller. We've only had maybe one or two motors burn out.

I would clean everything up and put the impeller in but not the top and see if it starts rattling around. If it does the motor is still good.

[Philbert]

Re: Dying hob filters

Just to climb on my soapbox...aside from a needed impellor, for a while I was having HOBs slow down and not aereate my lower levels in the tank they were so weak...then, I started not just cleaning the filters and replacing same every month or so, and washing/wiping the parts,  I started wiping the intakes clean once a week with paper towel drawn through with a small chain.
Now, every time I clean up an HOB, especially the intake tube, it runs almost as fast as when new.
Slime coats the tubes (and hoses on cannisters), and while I can run a large stream of water from the tap through them, when I do the paper towel thing a lot of slime comes out. That slows water flow a lot.
Try cleaning intakes smooth, and see what it does for the flow.

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: Dying hob filters

you can buy the filter tube cleaners from most walmarts for like $3 for 3 different sizes.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: hob filters

I dissasemble 3 or 4 filters and place everything but the motor and the filter pads in my dishwasher with a cup of bleach rather than dishwashing soap.  And push the energy saver button (no heat dry). The intake tube goes on the top rack on the rods and the impeller in the silverware holder.
I have a brush that is just the right size for the impellor hole in the motor and I use an adjustable hose nozzle to clean the filters in my deep sink untill they have holes and then I replace them.  I repare broken impellers with superglue and have a few new impellers in my parts box.
I use 30's on my small tanks and 60's (double filter) on my larger tanks and all the parts are interchangeable.  

I haven't found anything that works beter and is easier to maintain.