Aquaclear 150

[caterpillar5]

i just did a 30% water change and my aquaclear 150 filter was fine.... it was on the minimum flow and the water was flowing out smoothly... after the change i realised when i put it back on, the flow of water coming out with minimum flow was very trickly.. and not smooth, i turn it up a little bit and then its smooth again? what's caused this to happen? have i damaged my filter?
thx

 

[Tolak]

Probably just sucked in a bit of air. Either that or the sponge is getting a little dirty. As long as it's not making a bunch of racket it's fine. I have 8 or 9 ac's that do that, it's normal.

Tolak

 

[caterpillar5]

thx for that... i was just hoping i didnt damage it... ive only had it for a week

 

[yvez9]

when doing a water change, you can pour water directly in the filter when it's starting up to help it get full.

since the filter was on minimum flow, it must have had trouble pumping water to fill itself up. On maximum, since it was running faster, it has no problems.

So just pour a little bit of water in it to help it out

 

[gale]

I have a penguin but I have always poured water in it to prime it before starting it back up. I figured the motor would burn out or something if I didn't.

 

[yvez9]

that's the best way to go gale
however, letting it run dry for a few seconds won't kill it immediatly, but it will in the long run...
I always pour water in my filter before i plug it back in but i will forgot once in a while

 

[freddyk]

I simply leave the filter running

It's simply a matter of power and physics. Once the filter is running the filter can manage the slowest trickle, but in order to actually get the water moving in the first place more power is needed, you can simply turn it up until it's flowing again. No matter what, always ensure it's filled first, of course.