New 60l tank

Angie, I can't offer any advice on why the hob might be leaking BUT I had a similar problem with a hob not starting and am wondering if it might somehow be related...

I posted about the not starting up prob, here's a link to the thread http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?14107-Hob-help-urgently-needed-pls! but in a nutshell, I learned that we are supposed to "service" our hobs every 3 months. I don't know what make/model you have but on my aquaclear, I had to disconnect the motor, then pull out both the impellor and the magnetic bits. It was filthy in there - and that was the prob. Since doing that, it works perfectly.

 

How do I pull it apart? I also have the Aquaclear. Its a good idea to pull it apart tho

Ok never mind just read that thread I will have a look in a bit to see if I can clean it and if there are obvious leaks - so far it seems to leak when on so it might be a buildup somewhere, will scrub it and see what I find.

And thanks guys The tank will have a similar look since I wont change the plants or wood at this point - I dont want to remove my ferns from there since they seem to be very happy. So it might end up just being a general maintenance in depth clean of the tank

 

If you look on that thread, Ferdie posted a manual which helped me out, I downloaded it. If you look on the black motor casing, you'll see an arrow. Turn the whole black bit a quarter turn in the direction of the arrow, and it comes off. I used needle nosed pliers to pull out the white plastic impellor and the magnetic bits (sorry can't remember the proper name!!!) below that.

 

Thanks again Tracy! I took my time cleaning it now. Its running on the tank, Im keeping an eye on it to see if it still leaks = espcially since I cant find an obvious leak and it seems to leak only when the hob is running. So will leave it on for an hour and check it. Ironically now that I cleaned it, its giving off an irritating buzz/ vibration that might make me go nuts

 

what aquaclear you running? its weird i have 2 of them (not using them at the momenr) never had problems with mine

 

Its the aquaclear 30 - its the second one I have that has been giving issues, the first one's motor just seized This one is now working fine again after I stripped it down and cleaned it again.

 

ive seen allot of people struggle with the motors in them

 

Yea at least it is working again, will do a full rebuild of the tank tomorrow.

 

Ok so after a day's toil - here are the crappy phone pics to show the change




Once the water has settled down a bit and there has been some growth will I take better pics

 

when that ferns grow big its going to look great

 

Yea they grow slow in this tank but I dont mind, the bolbitus and the needle leaf tho had grown like mad.

 

nice job looking good

 

Very nice tank, cant wait for more pics.
Just love the red gravel with the little black, looks very natural and very much like the Amazon

 

i also got bolbitis. grows nicely in my high light with co2

 

Glad all the problems are sorted out. Tanks looking good again!

 

Slowly this tank has settled in again and is starting to grow like mad again. Promise to take better pics tonight.

 

Slightly better images for you guys

 

Looking very good. Congrats

 

That bolbitus looks great

 

Thanks had to trim that bolbitus a fair bit - was about twice the size - started taking over that spot.

Have to say tho, I switched over to Tropica ferts - My plants are doing so much better and I havent had a trace of BBA or any other algae in 2 months.