A sound coming from an HOB filter?

[Misty]

About every 15 minutes the filter makes this little sound that sounds ike a cat is coughing...it's driving me nuts, I keep thinking it's one of my cats hanging from the miniblind strings or something.

It's this little whoosh, or sigh sound, like an air release. I took it apart last night to make sure everything was working, the water is flowing nicely and the airline isn't close enough for it to be sucking in bubbles either so I don't have a clue but it has to stop!

Does anybody know why it would be doing that?

Thank you

[biggin]

What kind of filter?

[Misty]

Hm, I have no idea. It's too close to the wall to see if there's anything printed on it and there's nothing on the lid or cord to tell me either. As soon as I talk to David I can ask him, he might remember.

Would a picture help?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/EmBeeTM/Filter.gif

[biggin]

Its from Marineland...

I have had a few in the past and know a few other people who have them.... 6 over the past 2 months have crapped out. Just gave up the ghost.

I used to like them now I have them on the POS list. I have Topfin filters that run longer it is very sad.

[rolloffhill]

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4269/fail2hn7jm8uz8.jpg

[Misty]

MarineLand does sound familiar but I couldn't attach that to this particular one. So this might just be the start of thing to come. Isn't that nice...?

Thank you

[Misty]

roflmaoLMAO!

That's great! Thanks Skipp...

[tsunderl]

That would be an Emperor 400. Love 'em! My first thought was air getting sucked in, but you squashed that theory. My next thought would be that it's loosing suction and is re-priming itself. Check to make sure the U-tube is secure. There's also a piece between the U-tube and impeller that will sometimes get mis-aligned. Check that it's in it's proper place. When these filters have messed up on me in the past and nothing suggested above works, a new impeller did the trick. They are about $15 at DNA. Last impeller I replaced looked fine, but I couldn't get the filter to prime. Everything worked great after replacing the impeller. Good luck!

[greeneyed]

Do you have an airstone near it? Mine sucks up air sometimes and makes some strange sounds.

NVM, stupidity and scanning instead of reading on my part.

[tsunderl]

Ah, don't listen to Blake. The one I have is probably four years old and still a workhorse.

And stay FAR away from Skipp!http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/neptune/Animated/Stupid/stupid018.gif

[rolloffhill]

What'd I do??

I just read her comment, then ironcially happened to see that picture on another forum I frequent. Couldn't resist...:jerod:

Oh BTW my Marineland Emporer has been running strong for over 10 years

[kewlkatdady]

yeah its an emp 400...
I've never had one, but I hear they are pretty decent filters.

I personally use AC filters. As suggested, make sure that the U tube i pushed all the way down as it sounds like you are loosing the prime for a second.

[AndrewH]

Mine HOBs make that sound (at least I'm assuming it's the same) when the water level gets to low or there's a gap in the tubing connections allowing air into the tube.

The last time it happened the water level was to the top of the tank so it took a little hunting to find the problem. Turned out to be a crack in my U tube, on the bottom right at the first bend coming out of the tank.

You might also want to check the O-rings where the motor meets the plastic housing. A crack in the O-ring might be letting in air.

[Misty]

I had to pry the dang thing out to check it, lol. It looks fine to me, everything is turning smoothly and it was secure. I rinsed it off and out so I guess I'll wait and see if it stopped.

Thanks for the tip on it T...and where to get the new part. Will probably end up there this weekend anyway, might as well get a spare in case it does peter out.

I have no idea how old this filter is, or what it's been through. It came with the 30g about 6 months or so ago.

Thanks for the help everyone!

[Misty]

I'd never see a crack and the O ring thing sounds like David should have a look at that too. Yep, I'd hate to be the one to break something, lol.

I'll have David read this and maybe he can figure it out.

Thanks Andrew

[tsunderl]

What'd I do??

Nothing. It's Pick On Skipp Week!!! http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/neptune/Animated/Group/group023.gif

[biggin]

I will send you all mine and you can have a box of broken filters....

I have a 400 that I am afraid to leave on anything of value....

[supersmirky]

So far so good with my 2 - Emporer 400's as well. I have 2 on my 140 but only had them a year so far

[fishyjoe24]

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4269/fail2hn7jm8uz8.jpg

skipp that is wrong in so many way.

[fishyjoe24]

did you check the propeler(spelling?) to make sure it's spining right and not broken.