Is aqueon really this bad? or broken? see video

[straightnewbies]

I bought a brand new aqueon hob filter for my new 25gal cube and it looks like the unfiltered water is spilling over the divider and back into my tank, constantly and at high volume. Is this a normal thing or just terrible design??? in which case i would take it back to the lfs where i bought it. also and suggestions on a different hob filter?
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JSd8THyuhYY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by straightnewbies http:///t/394716/is-aqueon-really-this-bad-or-broken-see-video#post_3513280
I bought a brand new aqueon hob filter for my new 25gal cube and it looks like the unfiltered water is spilling over the divider and back into my tank, constantly and at high volume. Is this a normal thing or just terrible design??? in which case i would take it back to the lfs where i bought it. also and suggestions on a different hob filter?
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JSd8THyuhYY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Hi,
Put some plastic like black air tubing under the filter where it hangs over the rim to lift up the edge just a little bit. I did that on my HOB filter...I can load a picture if you like.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I say it should filter like a champ right outta the box. Take it back and get your money back. Id invest in quality, such as an emperor 280. The filters cost almost $4 each but you dont have to buy carbon since the filters already have it built in. But, that is just my experience. I hope it works out.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/394716/is-aqueon-really-this-bad-or-broken-see-video#post_3513303
I say it should filter like a champ right outta the box. Take it back and get your money back. Id invest in quality, such as an emperor 280. The filters cost almost $4 each but you dont have to buy carbon since the filters already have it built in. But, that is just my experience. I hope it works out.
Hi,
I totally agree it should work perfect out of the box, but in my case and I suspect the original posters...the problem is not the filter. If his problem is like my own...even if the OP were to purchase another HOB filter it will have the same problem. The tank isn't level, and leans forward (just a very tiny bit) to the front, so that the filter is pitched forward more than it should be. By putting a little air tubing just under it at the lip will level the HOB filter to the right pitch and it will do as it should, filtering the water without spilling over where the intake tubes chamber is.

 

[snakeblitz33]

In that case, the fix shouldnt be using the airline tube, but the main problem that needs to be fixed is leveling the tank. If its not working because of an unlevel tank, level the tank before it starts leakin at the seams.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/394716/is-aqueon-really-this-bad-or-broken-see-video#post_3513307
In that case, the fix shouldnt be using the airline tube, but the main problem that needs to be fixed is leveling the tank. If its not working because of an unlevel tank, level the tank before it starts leakin at the seams.
LOL...okayyy.....how do I level a tank a half centimeter? I agree that a level tank is exactly what is needed...and it's level when I set it up....but after the water goes in it's off an itsy tiny bit. Of course my tank is a 90g. and that weighs a bit more than the OPs tank, but the concept is the same. The air tube squishes flat, and that half a centimeter is corrected. The tank isn't going to fail at the seems.

 

[snakeblitz33]

A half centimeter off level is not going to cause that filter to run like that. I consider that a design flaw of the filter as well as the filters themselves being doubled up is not letting enough water pass through them.
If a tank is unlevel, it needs to be corrected. No exceptions. You can level it relatively easily by halfway draining the tank and knocking some wooden wedges with a hammer under the front of the tank to bring it up where it should be. Add the water back. Could be done in the middle of a water change relatively easily.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/394716/is-aqueon-really-this-bad-or-broken-see-video#post_3513315
A half centimeter off level is not going to cause that filter to run like that. I consider that a design flaw of the filter as well as the filters themselves being doubled up is not letting enough water pass through them.
If a tank is unlevel, it needs to be corrected. No exceptions. You can level it relatively easily by halfway draining the tank and knocking some wooden wedges with a hammer under the front of the tank to bring it up where it should be. Add the water back. Could be done in the middle of a water change relatively easily.

All floors are not created equal...old houses have a .....shall I say, personality so to speak from settling.
UMMM...Okay...I'm not talking about the poster of the thread, but my own system here. I agree that on the posters little tank it could be done pretty easy, although a tiny isty bit is hard because a wedge will then make it too tall in the front and leaning backwards instead of forward, because it's such a tiny bit off.
BUT...I can't do that, my tank is a 90g.... half full with the rocks, sand and decor is still way too much for anyone to try and get a wedge under it, it would chip the stand, or rip the carpet before it would do a thing for leveling the tank. The tiny little air hose squished under the overflow filter worked for me. I might also add that the 56g in my bedroom is off by about 1/4th inch leaning forward as well...same problem..it was level until I added everything in it. I plan to redo my floors within the next couple of years and that should shore them up good and proper.
I have to ask something about wedges...I ask because I think you are much smarter than myself on such things. Wouldn't a little wedge on either corner cause the center of the stand to have pressure there, messing with it's integrity? I see men putting wedges on stuff all the time to level stuff like dressers and such...but a fish tank is so much more heavy. I had my friend shore up the floor from the basement at my house in Wisconsin and I think I may have him do the same for my floors when I get them redone....but a wedge seems dangerous to me. Am I wrong?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Wedges under a stand need to be evenly spaced. You don't just put one wedge under one corner of a stand - that does create some pressure points. However, leveling it up to the proper height on one side of the stand, and then adding wedges equally spaced on either side of the wedge will help even it out.
Even then, if you have a properly built wooden stand with no structural problems (like mine that is built of 2x6's) the only problem with leveling one end of a stand is that it makes the tank wobbly. Then, adding additional wedges under a properly built stand isn't for structural integrity but to keep it from wobbling. As long as all edges of the glass tank is sitting on something hard and even, it's fine. Even if the stand itself isn't sitting on all four edges.
A tank needs to be as level as possible to keep the tank from putting too much pressure at one point and causing a leak - or worse yet - a crack!

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/394716/is-aqueon-really-this-bad-or-broken-see-video#post_3513319
Wedges under a stand need to be evenly spaced. You don't just put one wedge under one corner of a stand - that does create some pressure points. However, leveling it up to the proper height on one side of the stand, and then adding wedges equally spaced on either side of the wedge will help even it out.
Even then, if you have a properly built wooden stand with no structural problems (like mine that is built of 2x6's) the only problem with leveling one end of a stand is that it makes the tank wobbly. Then, adding additional wedges under a properly built stand isn't for structural integrity but to keep it from wobbling. As long as all edges of the glass tank is sitting on something hard and even, it's fine. Even if the stand itself isn't sitting on all four edges.
A tank needs to be as level as possible to keep the tank from putting too much pressure at one point and causing a leak - or worse yet - a crack!
I have a cheap stand that the fish stores sell with a fish tank...not a well built one that men like yourself can make ...fingers crossed that all holds up until I can get my floors redone. I think I will call my friend to do a shore up thing with one of those poles you can jack up.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Yeah, that might not be such a bad idea.

 

[straightnewbies]

yeah i have the filter loaded up with some phosban that the lfs sold me and im thinking i need to go back and get my self an aquaclear, fixed forward lean with bit of cloth and only minimal to no improvement, although im glad you warned me snakeblitz about the stress leaks. so new filter options? and since im mid-cycle how do i keep all the beneficial bacteria that has colonized my little carbon dudad and all of that? and im demanding an exchange if this is the design on these things....

 

[straightnewbies]

please post that photo? i tried but maybe i missed something/