Emperor 400s - Low Flow Rate

[sountfc]

I bought a couple of these used 6 or 7 months ago. They worked great when I got them, but now they've slowed down to a tricke. I've cleaned them out, so buildup isn't an issue. I'm thinking about replacing the impellers, but was wondering if anyone else had any other ideas before I spend $25 on them.

Thanks!

[jarrodaden]

Before I spent the money, I would take the impellar out and clean everything thoroughly. You might just have some goop in there. Also make sure you don't have any air in the system. This sort of thing happens to me every couple of months and little fiddling goes a long way toward fixing the problem. I doubt the impellar is broken or in need of replacing.

[CichlidFan]

The biggest problem I've found with the emperors is the media trays......if you use the small grain charcoal....you're going to have tiny pieces finding their way down into the impeller chamber.....try to find large grain charcoal for those trays.....I used the Ammocarb from petsmart....you might even want to take the time to go over the unit slowly, and get familar with it....know how to remove all the componets and clean them.....

Once you get familar with them and how they work...it's easy to keep them working properly and effeciently.......

One of our moderators FSHFRK...has a few mods on the emperor posted in the archives, that you may find interesting....

CF

[sountfc]

Well, I cleaned them once, but I'll give them another go-round and see if that improves things at all. Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

[geoff_tropheus]

IS this the first time you have ever owned this model before?

Some of the new models have a flow control lever in the suction line that might need adjusted. Also clean your intake properly, and make sure that the impeller is washed good and securly down in the bottom.

[jarrodaden]

IS this the first time you have ever owned this model before?

Some of the new models have a flow control lever in the suction line that might need adjusted. Also clean your intake properly, and make sure that the impeller is washed good and securly down in the bottom.

I was going to ask if this is running noisier than usual. Noise is a sure sign that something is out of whack.

[sountfc]

It is the first time I've owned these, and these are the older models without the flow control. I'm not sure when they changed the design, so I don't know how old these are. I completely broke one down again and cleaned every cm of it with a brush, and I verified that the impeller was properly seated. It spins up and it's not particularly noisy, but it only pulls enough to push water out of the spray bars. It just isn't generating enough suction. My guess is that both are somewhat old, therefore so are the impellers. I think I'm going to replace the impeller on the one I broke down last night and see if that makes a difference, as I'm fairly confident at this point that I've done everything else I need to do.

Again, thanks for the suggestions. I'll let you know what happens.

[geoff_tropheus]

Did you clean the intake strainer and inlet piping from the tank? I jsut find it weird.

Did you say this was a used piece of equipment, or was it new when you got it?

[geoff_tropheus]

Before you give up and spend $25 on new impellers....

Since you live in Sugarland...got to Houston Aquarium Warehouse and ask for Dustin. He is a good dude. I am sure he can look it over with you, test it out or something, and see if you really need it.

Best of luck!

[sountfc]

I know Dustin, I've bought plenty of stuff from him.

By the way, yes, every part of the filter was cleaned

I realize this isn't the same manufacturer, but I've had similar issues with Fluval cannister filters that were solved by replacing the impeller. In those cases, the filter would pump enough to get the water partway throught the return hose, but could never actually fully get the flow started. New impeller = problem solved.

[geoff_tropheus]

I must be blind, I did not see that you got these USED 6 or 7 months ago. Yeah...I would get new impellers then, no telling how old the equipment is.

I will say that I have had a EMP 400 for like 5/6 years and never needed a impeller. I dont run them anymore, but they are good filters.

[sountfc]

Yeah, they were used. Worked great, and it's interesting that they've both started doing the same thing. That's why I'll start with one impeller and see. Does anyone know at what point they added the flow control? I'm trying to ballpark how old these may be.

[sountfc]

Went to LFS and picked up two new impellers. Done deal! And yes, I had thoroughly cleaned the two existing ones. These Emperor 400s are now flowing like Niagara Falls.

[Mzungu]

Awesome! Glad you were able to fix the problem.

[sountfc]

I am happy, and not happy. Impellers are not free! Regardless. I am happy because these two filters are vital on this 125G of big haplichromes. That being said, I would be curious if anyone has any thoughts as to the average life span of an impeller, and if it matter what type and size of a filter it is in...