UGGGHHH!!!

[newshound]

okay for the second time in 6 months a HOB (Aqua Clear) has begun leaking on one of my wood floors!!!!!
Now I know it is because the filter sponge is full of junk and then water starts to back up and leak out but really that can easily happen in a week.
Talk about bad design. Word to the wise -- stay clear of AquaClear (LOL) cause anything can happen out of the blue.

[mamaschild]

Mine does the same thing

Annoying, isn't it.....

[Martin Thoene]

Don't drain your pool, clean your filter.

Martin.

[Laura]

Late last year my 2 AC HOB dumped about 7 gallons on the floor, not once but twice (they took turns)!! The foam lifted up the basket, blocking the outake so the water flowed over the side of the HOB. The person who lives under me was not very impressed at 5am.

I contacted Hagen to express my displeasure and was told that their manufacturer changed the foam to a denser material. They have since switched back, but I still see the denser ones in some of the boxes I buy so they're still out there.

I've been okay so far, but siliconed my basket down on one side and have a rubberband on the lid just to be on the safe side.

[Mark in Vancouver]

That's not bad design at all. The AQ HOB filters are exceptionally good - they run for ever, they're exceptionally easy to clean, and they're cheap as nails.

If your HOB is picking up that much junk, there is either something wrong with your tank, or something wrong with your attention to regular cleaning.

Used properly, you've got an effective, adaptable, quiet, economical filter.

[newshound]

I contacted Hagen to express my displeasure and was told that their manufacturer changed the foam to a denser material. They have since switched back, but I still see the denser ones in some of the boxes I buy so they're still out there.

hmm...interesting...
this could explain why this has happened to only two of my HOB's. Tonight I will check.
I still say this is poor design. Anything can happen (and prob will and designers must think of these things. After all stuff happens

[Mark in Vancouver]

Now I know it is because the filter sponge is full of junk and then water starts to back up and leak out but really that can easily happen in a week.

Well, how is the design supposed to function without your participation? I don't mean to press the issue, but it's like saying you were disappointed by how many volts you were shocked by when you turned on the toaster in the bathtub. Used properly, I belive these are some of the most reliable, simple, and easy to clean filters on the market. You can break them down into component pieces if you want, and they fit a variety of filtration materials.

The sponge components in the HOB filters provide the single best and fastest way to mature a new tank, IMO. You can seed a spare sponge in one HOB and pop it in another filter on a new tank. Within 48 hours you have a new mature water column.

I just don't think warning people away from them is the answer to your problem... I'd suggest you clean out your sponges more regularly. I've used both types of sponge densities with no problems for years, and I have these filters (sometimes with other equipment) on all my tanks.

[Laura]

After my leaking episode, I put prefilters on all my AC's. I just cut a AC200 foam in half and chopped a big X into it without going all the way through and pop it on the intake.

This way, it both protects some smaller critters in my tank (shrimp), adds an extra component of biofiltration (I have them on my powerheads), and stops gunk from getting into my filter too quickly. I just rinse them out during my water changes.

You can also get levels for the bottom of the ACs so they don't lean away from the tank. I bought mine 2nd hand with the levels missing, so I angled them towards the tank with a bit of lego placed under the level that comes off the motor - not very high-tech but it works.

[Dave_2133]

If you dont mind me asking but whats a HOB???????

[NancyD]

Hang On Back of the tank filter, as opposed to canister, internal etc.

[Jayhawk]

I've run AC exclusively for 9 years now and never had a similar issue. I run two foam cartridges and a bag of biomax in each filter unit.

If your AC is properly adjusted with the tank, it should overflow back in to your tank...

I think your filter is tilting a bit the wrong way.

Eric

[Martin Thoene]

I agree Jayhawk. I've had filters levels come up, but if they're set level, the water overflows back around the inlet tube. Only time I ever had an issue was when I set up a new tank with an extablished filter and didn't level the filter properly. Slight overflow at the back when I switched it on. Levelled it.....no problem.

I have Aquaclears on all my tanks. Everything from a Mini to a 500. Only things that give me any aggro are Penguins......but no leaks. Anything with cartridges in it is a PITA as far as I'm concerned.

Martin.

[newshound]

awwww come on Mark. You used a quote of mine that was posted before I figured out that it was the sponge issue. As I wrote after (but six hours before you posted) that is why it has only happened to only 2 of my 5 HOB's.
I still say it is poor design. It is like a toaster not having a manual "pop up button" to use if your toast is burning.
My HOB's are level and still back up and leak out because of the foam. The foam is too fine as the maker of Aqua Clear has stated according to Laura. The new style foam is the problem as I stated in my second post but it wouldn't have leaked if the sides had been alittle higher. Sure it would not be doing any filtering but better than leaking all over the place. My foam didn't lift up but the fine foam fills really quickly and then starts to back up and flow over the foam VS the old foam that I have on my other 3 Aqua Clears.
Anyhow we don't have to agree on this issue