novahobbies
Well-Known Member
I just thought I'd post this in case anyone else runs into this issue. I know most of us don't have this filter, but for anyone who does.........
A few weeks ago I started having an issue with my Rapids PS3 filter. For some reason, the filter was...surging, for lack of a better word. The return pump never stopped or slowed, but the overflow would slow to a trickle; then, as the pump drained most of the water from the filter, the overflow would surge back into gear and fill the filter again. This happened every 10 minutes or so. It never caused me any direct problems, but it was disconcerting to know that it wasn't SUPPOSED to happen. I also worried that the constant tidal effect in the filter may have eventually messed with the activity of the biomedia if it had continued unchecked.
It took a while to figure out what the heck was going on. There weren't any obstructions in the overflow drain pipe. The overflow itself functions like a CPR, and there weren't any air bubbles in the u-gate to slow the flow of water from one side to the other. The aqua-lifter was performing correctly, and as I said earlier, the return pump was putting out a constant steady pressure.
When I realized what the issue was, I wanted to smack myself. The Tom Aquatics overflow has a plastic piece, like an inverted cup, over the overflow drain tube in the back compartment. This is supposed to act as a silencer, and indeed it keeps the gurgle down to a low roar. It also has two small holes drilled in the top of it for proper air flow. If these holes get blocked, the water going down the drain will create a vacuum in the cup! When the partial vacuum starts, it reduces the flow of water down the drain pipe until the flow slows to a trickle. The flow won't start again until the vacuum is broken, which happens when the water stops almost completely and more air is allowed in through the obstructed holes. As it was, one of my vent holes was completely blocked with salt creep, and the other was about 50% blocked. A few swift pokes with a toothpick in each vent, and the problem is solved - no more surging filter for me!
So, what's the take-away from this long-winded lecture of mine? Here - you have a choice of groan-inducing one-liners:
a) "Let's keep those holes clean, boys!"
b) "There's nothing worse than a clogged rear vent hole"
c) "If you want some proper suction, keep all holes wet."
A few weeks ago I started having an issue with my Rapids PS3 filter. For some reason, the filter was...surging, for lack of a better word. The return pump never stopped or slowed, but the overflow would slow to a trickle; then, as the pump drained most of the water from the filter, the overflow would surge back into gear and fill the filter again. This happened every 10 minutes or so. It never caused me any direct problems, but it was disconcerting to know that it wasn't SUPPOSED to happen. I also worried that the constant tidal effect in the filter may have eventually messed with the activity of the biomedia if it had continued unchecked.
It took a while to figure out what the heck was going on. There weren't any obstructions in the overflow drain pipe. The overflow itself functions like a CPR, and there weren't any air bubbles in the u-gate to slow the flow of water from one side to the other. The aqua-lifter was performing correctly, and as I said earlier, the return pump was putting out a constant steady pressure.
When I realized what the issue was, I wanted to smack myself. The Tom Aquatics overflow has a plastic piece, like an inverted cup, over the overflow drain tube in the back compartment. This is supposed to act as a silencer, and indeed it keeps the gurgle down to a low roar. It also has two small holes drilled in the top of it for proper air flow. If these holes get blocked, the water going down the drain will create a vacuum in the cup! When the partial vacuum starts, it reduces the flow of water down the drain pipe until the flow slows to a trickle. The flow won't start again until the vacuum is broken, which happens when the water stops almost completely and more air is allowed in through the obstructed holes. As it was, one of my vent holes was completely blocked with salt creep, and the other was about 50% blocked. A few swift pokes with a toothpick in each vent, and the problem is solved - no more surging filter for me!
So, what's the take-away from this long-winded lecture of mine? Here - you have a choice of groan-inducing one-liners:
a) "Let's keep those holes clean, boys!"
b) "There's nothing worse than a clogged rear vent hole"
c) "If you want some proper suction, keep all holes wet."