Broken Filter Please Help!

[annaw123]

Hi all i have an aqua-flow 100 filter, and i turned it off to do a water change ... just plugged it back in and its not working!!!!
made sure there were no blockages, removed and rinsed the filter and everything and its NOT WORKING! Please can someone help me, or at least say how long i have to get a new one - 3 Bolivian Rams, 4 Harlequin Rasboras and 3 Peppered Catfish!
Thanks!

 

[walkers101]

does it sound like its on or churning air? did you check that the prop is free spinning? if not you will need a new one sharpish and transfer all the media from the aqua flow into the new one before the beneficial bacteria dies off.

 

[saltynay]

Air bubble probably try angling it around.

What have you got laying around any pumps or old filtser?

 

[annaw123]

it doesnt sound like anything, theres absolutely no noise! eeek!
i've ordered a new filter, and it should arrive within 5 days, is that too long!?
and no i dont have any old pumps that arent in use!
thankyou xx

 

[bigfishlittlefish]

I had similar problems with my old filter.On mine I used to turn it on before putting it back together give the propeller(if thats what you would call it)a flick and that would be enough to kick start it.Then put rest back together.
Im not sure if it would work with yours but worth a try.

 

[walkers101]

5 days would be too long as the filter media would be long good of any useful bacteria

 

[saltynay]

Yes to long with no flow you will lose approx 50% of your filter bacteria. If you can beg borrow steal a pump attach it to your filters output line with a strip of hose and run it.

BTW did you try shaking it around and changing the angle. Also have you opened it up and checked the impellor isn't jammed.

 

[walkers101]

have just had a thought have you tried replacing the fuse?

 

[annaw123]

thankyou SO MUCH bigfishlittlefish!
IT WORKED!
i'm so happy - and relieved! have ordered a new filter just incase, but now im not stressing that the tank will go bad before it arrives!
again, thankyou so much for all of your input! phew!
thankyou! xx

and a big thankyou to walkers101 and saltynay too!
cheers guys!

 

[bigfishlittlefish]

Your welcome

 

[annaw123]

oh and when my new filter comes, what do i do about filter media!? i've never really understood this ... sorry i'm so annoying!
thankyou xx

 

[saltynay]

what filter is it?

All media can sustain bacteria populations and stop particles but each has a priority with mechanical or biological filtration. High flow + high surface area normally = high biological. Restriction on flow + variable surface area = high mechanical

Coarse sponge - Mechanical filtration for medium sized particles
Fine filter sponge - Biological filtration and medium to small particles
Filter wool - Mechanical filtration for smallest sized particles
Bioballs - Biological filtration and large particles
Large Rocks - Mechanical filtration of large particles and biological.
Sand - Mechanical and Biological equally
Carbon - Chemical removal from the water.

 

[annaw123]

it's this filter
http/www.amazon.co.uk/All-Pond-Solutions-Aquarium-Internal/dp/B002NLEGMC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296582175&sr=8-1

 

[walkers101]

ahh a little internal that will have a few smaller sponges and a little tub of ceramic circles

also i suggested to check the prop before

but anyway glad its now working

 

[annaw123]

okay, thankyou! so when i get the new filter, should i take out the new cartridge they send with it, and cut some of the used filter media to size!? I dont want to use all my bacteria!