2 Questions In 1 =]

[MewMew42]

1] every few days my fluval 3+ loses flow and practically stops working, but after a quick rinse or the parts in hot water [not the sponges obv] it works again

its really starting to annoy me....

is there a cause for this...could it be because i have sand? too many fish?

2] what is the best way to replace sand with gravel with a tank full of fish? [as the sand is really starting to annoy me, my plants hate it and it keps going bad beyon my control now]

ps i have corys and various barbelled fish...

i was thinking remove 50% put fish in bucket, remove sand + plants etc replace with gravel put fish in, + remaining water?

thanks =]

 

[minxfishy]

Unsure why the 3+ keeps stopping as Ive not got one to see how they work, are any sponges getting caught in the impellor? How old is it? Is there sand in it when you clean it out?

As for removing the sand, yes, take as much of the water out, remove fish into water, drain tank, take out sand, give everything a good wash, put new gravel, ornaments etc back in tank, half fill with new water (temperature match it), reintroduce fish with their water, fill to top.

Keep the filter media in the bucket of tank water and fish whilst doing this and wash the gravel prior to starting to save you time.

 

[MewMew42]

thanks fo your help!

nope the sponges aen't getting caught in the propeller, they're in a diffeent compartment, its only about 3-4 months old...and tbh there isnt much sand when i clean it out...i cant really see where its getting bloacked or whats causing it...just that hot water solves it!

right sounds good! i'll have to check out the gravel at work and see if itll be okay with my corys

=]

 

[star4]

You have probably done this, but check the impeller. I have a fluval 4+ I use to have the same problem till I replaced the impeller, mine had a hairline crack in it. It was really difficult to see.