External Filter

[mhancock]

I've had an external filter on my tank for about 30 months, it's an APS model (I think about 1,400 lph with UV).  When I last cleaned it out, I noticed that the flow rate seemed much lower than when I first connected everything up - and that was after I cleaned out the gunk from inside it!
 
Do external filters have a natural life after which they tend to go downhill, and do other makes fare better over time?
 
Thanks,
 
 
 
M

 

[Ch4rlie]

Have you added lots of sponge or filter floss media to the filter media baskets?
 
Sometimes having lots of media crammed into the filter will slow the rate of flow from the filter.
 
Also have you ensured you cleaned the impeller and the impeller housing? That for certain will help flow if you have not done that.

 

[mhancock]

Have you added lots of sponge or filter floss media to the filter media baskets?
 
Sometimes having lots of media crammed into the filter will slow the rate of flow from the filter.
 
Also have you ensured you cleaned the impeller and the impeller housing? That for certain will help flow if you have not done that.

 
Hi,
 
Not much - some ceramic and some plastic balls, certainly not dense enough to effect flow rate.
 
I've not done the impeller housing though, is that possible to get to on those units?
 
 
 
M

 

[Ch4rlie]

Yes, should definitely be possible to gain access to impeller and housing, that will be full of gunk, therefore slowing the impeller down. 
 
Have a look at your instruction manual or look online for a manual, usually pretty straightforward to gain access.

 

[star4]

Cleaning the impeller housing on an APS is easy. Take off the head turn upside down and you will see a wheel like cover, twist this off and you have access the the impeller, remove the impeller and give it a wash off I use cotton buds to clean out the gunk from inside.

 

[mhancock]

Thank you so much, will give that a go!