Anyone Have Experience With Api Filstar Filters ?

[Luke.]

I think mine might be messed im not sure if I should just buy a new one or what?

I've taken it apart 20 times and tried EVERYHING to make it work right it works for like 20 secconds and the water drops I lift the lid and still dosent fix it and then it stops all together and slowly makes a loud noise its pissing me off lol ugh.. Thank god I have a skimmer but this has been happening for about 4 days now .
Any thoughts on what I should do ?

 

[Dan Cole]

I've used one for years and have sold dozens, if not hundreds of them. What do you mean by water drops...in the filter? Did you take a look at the impeller?

Dan

 

[Luke.]

I've used one for years and have sold dozens, if not hundreds of them. What do you mean by water drops...in the filter? Did you take a look at the impeller?

Dan

I did it looks all intact , what should I look for when I'm looking at it ?

 

[kapelan]

this is highest quality filter.
I'm using it about 10 years - since it was introduced to the market.
Something wrong with your assembly, especially if it is leaking.
Try to reassemble it - everything should be connected nice and easy - no hard pressure.
make sure all rubber in place.

 

[Luke.]

Everything perfect but it could be the wheel ? I took it out held the black magnet part and tried to doing the wheel and it will spin half way then stop ? Im not sure if it's normal i took the whole thing apart to clean EVERYTHING and put it all back together and I've done it 15 times Atleast and still issue i filled up the canister and the intake tube and make sure it was all full and turned it on it would all work for 15 secconds
The. The water level drained a wee bit ( so I do the normal open the side to suck the air out) and clamped it again. And same thing 15 secconds it's so anoyying I've had no filtration for 6 days -.- just my skimmer 24/7

 

[Dan Cole]

I assume by wheel you mean impeller and if so that sounds okay. Have you had the filter running for awhile or are you just setting it up? What are you running in the media baskets? What happens if you remove the baskets and just run it with water in it. Any change. When you say it stops what exactly happens? Does the impeller still rattle away? Does it spit out air? I know...lot of questions but the more information you provide the better and maybe we can identify the problem.

Dan

 

[kapelan]

It's highly unlikely the new filter is broken - this is high end product.
Probably it stayed off for a while then kind of clinch happened?

 

[Luke.]

I assume by wheel you mean impeller and if so that sounds okay. Have you had the filter running for awhile or are you just setting it up? What are you running in the media baskets? What happens if you remove the baskets and just run it with water in it. Any change. When you say it stops what exactly happens? Does the impeller still rattle away? Does it spit out air? I know...lot of questions but the more information you provide the better and maybe we can identify the problem.

Dan

Been running for atleast 2 1/2 years
I've used the same stuff in the baskets since I got it ( the black sponge it came with , the white filter floss and in between the 2 is my nitra guard and Rowa phos .
It's the small filstar with 1 canister haven't tried running without the basket in ( I will try tomorrow after work)

When I turn it on it pushes out water like normal but then it will stop pushing water out like 0 water flow and inside the canister the water level drops almost 1/4 then I hear this loud noise gradually gets louder then I shut it off because i assume that's not good .

I don't mind the questions I'll answer any i can . Im at the point of buying a new wheel for it but I don't know if that's the problem . Very frustrating and not to sure how long the tank is ok with no filter running :/ . It's been a week now .

 

[kapelan]

That's the key: "...the canister the water level drops almost 1/4 then I hear this loud noise..."
When level goes down motor is not in the water - it is not doing anything.
try it without any media and check if assembled correctly: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/images/graphics/filstarflow4.jpg

 

[Dan Cole]

Been running for atleast 2 1/2 years
I've used the same stuff in the baskets since I got it ( the black sponge it came with , the white filter floss and in between the 2 is my nitra guard and Rowa phos .
It's the small filstar with 1 canister haven't tried running without the basket in ( I will try tomorrow after work)

When I turn it on it pushes out water like normal but then it will stop pushing water out like 0 water flow and inside the canister the water level drops almost 1/4 then I hear this loud noise gradually gets louder then I shut it off because i assume that's not good .

I don't mind the questions I'll answer any i can . Im at the point of buying a new wheel for it but I don't know if that's the problem . Very frustrating and not to sure how long the tank is ok with no filter running :/ . It's been a week now .

You might also want to have a close look at the hose on the intake side....it is possible that something is blocking the water from entering/returning to the filter. Sounds like it works until it runs out of water.

Dan

 

[Luke.]

You might also want to have a close look at the hose on the intake side....it is possible that something is blocking the water from entering/returning to the filter. Sounds like it works until it runs out of water.

Dan

I've taken it apart 3 times to run the garden hose through all the tubes , I've had issues in the past when the back on the canister is all bubbly and sucking air so I'd open it while it's running till a wee bit of water comes out the sides then clamped it back down and was alwYs good..

 

[Luke.]

That's the key: "...the canister the water level drops almost 1/4 then I hear this loud noise..."
When level goes down motor is not in the water - it is not doing anything.
try it without any media and check if assembled correctly: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/images/graphics/filstarflow4.jpg

I'll check it out again

 

[Skim]

Sounds like a Lid seal to me, if no blockage in tubes. You should also check the tube inside the motor head for blockage. Check the Lid seal, like pull the seal and check for any things that should not be their.

 

[Luke.]

Sounds like a Lid seal to me, if no blockage in tubes. You should also check the tube inside the motor head for blockage. Check the Lid seal, like pull the seal and check for any things that should not be their.

Im going over in tonight to take another look in about 30 min. I worked 2 hours over the time im supost to be done :/ damn work..

 

[Luke.]

So I took out all the main seal and the o ring everyhing I could have it another clean and made sure the cap was on tight (it wasn't quite tight) I took off all the o clip brackets and I used my hands in the past but this time I had a pair of pliers and gave them all a really good pinch and found a hole in my cap from my damn cat chewing on it when I wasn't home lol but all in all after doing this started it up and what do you know it was running great ! Thank you guys for all your help because I never thought of the cap and how tight the clamps had to be ( was always worried the plastic would break) all in all i saved myself a lot of $ by pissing around and figuring it out insted of getting frustrated and threw it out the window .

 

[Dan Cole]

Luke just for clarity....the cap as in the black cap you remove to fill with water to start the siphon?

 

[Luke.]

Luke just for clarity....the cap as in the black cap you remove to fill with water to start the siphon?

Yes sir !