7 Week Old Filter Failing?

[DrSlackBladder]

Hmmmm......had my 100 l tank set up and running for almost 2 months, first month successful fishless cycle, second month with fish, all going well. This evening got home and noticed the filter (Aquael Fan Filter 2) doesn't seem anywhere near as powerful as it has been. The aerator bubbles sounded more forceful, travelled further in the current and plants swayed more before this evening. Two days ago I rinsed the sponge for the first time in used tank water and replaced. All went back together fine (there isn't much to it!), and power was normal when I switched back on, and yesterday. Nothing has been touched today, but definitely a lower throughput of water. It's not sitting on the gravel, already checked, and the air intake isn't blocked. I know that doesn't give you much to go on, but any pointers/ideas from any similar experiences?

Cheers.

 

[ColR1948]

Just try it without the media for a few minutes, making sure you keep the media soaked in tank water of course, if it runs OK it could possibly be the way it was repacked.
I'm not familiar with that filter so don't know if there is anything else, is there any float primer buttons or anything that could be jammed?
If not then take it back to the shop, have you a spare filter you could use in it's place, make sure you keep the media if you do replace it and be as quick as you can.

 

[basboi85]

I had similar issue with my new internal only to find the filters powerful em enough to suck the bio balls up which was causing it to lose power, so I've pushed them right down and its been fine ever since.

If you have them I would check them out just incase

 

[Flute]

Have you tried taking it apart so that you can check the impeller isn't blocked?

 

[DrSlackBladder]

There's no balls or ceramic media, just a single large block of filter foam over a spike. Took the cover, foam and spike off, impeller rotated freely, not even that grimy. Ran filter without media, still seems underpowered compared to normal. Put all back together and switched on, still underpowered. Working, butnot as powerful as before. Don't have a spare, so will order backup right now which has similar block sponge in case a quick transfer is needed. Anyone know if the Aquael UV 500 is any good? Seems similar size (slightly high capacity than my Fan Filter 2). Does the UV light just control algae a little (not that I have an algae problem)? Anyone know if the Aquael Fan Filter 2 sponge will fit the Aquael UV 500? Will get in touch with supplier of original to see if I can get a replacement.

 

[DrSlackBladder]

Well I received a replacement filter, replaced just the old power head with the new one, switched on, and no difference! So either both 7 week old filter and identical brand new filter both have the same fault, or more likely I think, is that when I set the tank up and ran it for 7 wks before rinsing the filter media, the casing wasn't on properly, or the sponge wasn't completely covering the intake spike, so some water could have bypassed the sponge, giving the impression of higher output. So I've put the old filter head back in, and will keep the new one as backup. Maybe a coincidence, but since the reduced flow rate, the unhappy new platy I had has unclamped her fins and is much happier!

All good now, thanks for the advice!

 

[basboi85]

Why not run both filters as you'll have even happier platy with extra clean water ??

 

[DrSlackBladder]

Interesting thought; what' the general consensus amongst experts on running much more filter than needed? My novice mid says pros are cleaner water, failsafe backup, two partially cycled filter media in case quarantine tank is needed, partially cycled filter media to seed any future additional tank. Cons would be neither filter cycled to cope with full bio load, space reduction (internal filters) and potential for too much current with two 150 l filters in 100 litre tank, and minimal extra running costs. Thoughts please?

 

[basboi85]

I'm no expert but I now currently have added another filter to my setup.

Its a internal the power head states 2500lph but when the filters are attached its more around the 2200lph mark.

If I was to add up the total max out put by all three of my filter a it would be 3900lph.

Obv its not that much but my fish seem to like it swimming against the current.

I have a much larger tank to yours in question 5ft long/450l tank but I would have thought it would be better to x4 your tank volume for your filter out put