Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement

Introduction

If your hang-on-back (HOB) aquarium style filter is making a buzzing noise, has reduced flow, or has stopped working completely, the impeller inside the motor has most likely been chipped or cracked from long-term wear.

Use this guide to remove the damaged impeller and replace it with a new one. This involves removing the filter motor to access the damaged impeller and cleaning the impeller shaft before installing the new impeller.

This guide demonstrates this process on an AZOO Mignon 60 (AZ13097), but the procedure is the same for all HOB filters with a detachable motor. This includes brands like Aqua Clear, Fluval, Marineland, and Cascade. If you are using this guide for a different brand of filter, a larger impeller replacement may need to be purchased.

Working with water and electronics is a safety risk. When connecting and detaching your filter from a power source, ensure that your hands and the external area of the motor are completely dry.

Before beginning this guide, disconnect your filter from its power source and remove it from your aquarium.

What you need

  1. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement, Impeller: step 1, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement, Impeller: step 1, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement, Impeller: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the filter lid by pulling upwards.

    Edit

  2. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Drain the filter completely of water.

    Edit

  3. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Twist the motor component outwards away from the filter’s center by 90 degrees.

    Edit

  4. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Pull down to separate the motor from the filter.

    • Steady force is needed to separate the pieces.

    • Potential for device damage: Pull straight down to avoid damaging the rubber water seal.

    Edit

  5. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Using tweezers, pull the damaged impeller upwards off the impeller shaft.

    • The impeller is magnetized to the shaft causing a slight resistance to the impeller's removal.

    Edit

  6. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Fill the impeller cavity with water.

    • Potential for device damage: Avoid getting water on other parts of the motor.

    Edit

  8. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Swirl the cavity with a Q-tip to scrape off any build up of sand or organic material.

    Edit

  9. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Drain the water and other contents of the cavity.

    Edit

  10. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Clean the shaft and the cavity with Q-tips dipped in vinegar in a scraping motion.

    • Potential for device damage: Avoid getting vinegar on other parts of the motor.

    Edit

  11. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Wipe the shaft and the cavity with a damp paper towel to remove vinegar.

    • Potential for device damage: Avoid getting water on other parts of the motor.

    Edit

  12. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Pick up the new impeller using tweezers.

    Edit

  13. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Lower the new impeller into the cavity so that the shaft runs through the center of the impeller.

    • The impeller should immediately magnetize.

    Edit

  14. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • Swirl the impeller with tweezers to make sure the impeller can move freely.

    • The magnetism of the pieces should resist movement to a degree, but if you are unable to move the impeller at all, return to Step 5.

    Edit

  15. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Press the motor into the filter hole with the cord side facing outwards forming a 90 degree angle.

    • Steady force is needed to connect the pieces.

    • Potential for device damage: Push straight up to avoid damaging the water seal.

    Edit

  16. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • Twist the motor inwards by 90 degrees to align with the filter.

    Edit

  17. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Refill the filter compartment to the water line.

    • The water line is indicated on side of the filter labelled as "Tank water level."

    Edit

  18. Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 3 Aquarium Filter Impeller Replacement: step 17, image 3 of 3

    • Press the lid into the grooves on top of the filter.

    Edit
Conclusion

Filter is now ready to be returned to your aquarium and plugged in for use. Clean the impeller with vinegar and water semi annually to increase its longevity.

2 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 1 other contributor

Claire Petersen

Member since: 03/23/21

372 Reputation

1 Guide authored

Badges: 7

+4 more badges

Team

UMass Dartmouth, Team S1-G2, Gulbrandsen Spring 2021 Member of UMass Dartmouth, Team S1-G2, Gulbrandsen Spring 2021

UMASSD-GULBRANDSEN-S21S1G2

1 Member

1 Guide authored

0 Comments

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 13

Past 7 Days: 53

Past 30 Days: 191

All Time: 4,782