Filter Change - Really Numpty Question

[dancelikeamonkeu]

Hi guys, long time lurker first time poster. Sorry for all the pictures but it's easier to draw than type.

I am pretty new to this fish keeping malarky and have had my current tank for about 8 weeks now. The one I bought was an Aquarline 48 litre off eBay and it comes with one of those filters that look like this...

Now my boss at work has one and says you never need to change the filter with this model, as it keeps itself clean, but lately, instead of the water coming out at various points along the filter, it is all coming out of the overflow part at the end (see the next picture as it probably makes more sense than what I just typed! The top pic is how it was, the second one is how it is)

Now I'm guessing that my boss was wrong, and the soft cotton bit of the filter (the bottom part) needs replacing. So I have three questions, firstly can someone confirm that I should change it. secondly do I change all 3 parts (black gause, polo looking things and white cotton bit) or just the white cotton bit where it looks like the problem lies, and finally what is the real name for the three parts, so I can order them online.

Sorry for the long post when it's such a simple question.

Cheers!

 

[The-Wolf]

the 'polo looking things' are the biological filtration and if they need cleaning, rinse them in tank water,
you should never replace them.

the black gauze should also be rinsed in tank water but can be replaced if it is too clogged or if it starts to break up..

the white floss is the final water polisher and traps the ultra fine particles of debris, this can be clean a few times before
you replace it.

anything to do with your filter should only ever be cleaned in tank water, tap water will kill any beneficial bacteria on the media

 

[dancelikeamonkeu]

Hi, thanks for that.

I had to change the water today anyway, so I have just cleaned the gauze and the white floss, but the water is still coming out at the side of the filter unit instead of passing through the layers the way it was when I first got it. The filter parts where pretty filthy but seemed clean now, so am I missing something else? Have they just reached the end of their life?

Any idea where I can buy new ones if it's the latter? I'm not having much luck with Google. The ones I have are about 9 inches long and 3 inches deep whereas the ones online seem to be much smaller.

Cheers

 

[mark.w.jones]

The white floss is probably the problem. Gets clogged very quickly. Try and give it a really good squeeze out in old tank water or take it out completely and run your filter to see if it works properly without. If it does then you know that's where your problem lies. The other problems is often the holes that the water trickles out of getting deposits in them. A tooth brush / cotton bud works well here. If your floss is still slowing flow rate even after being cleaned then I would suggest you replace it. If you look on ebay for filter pads or floss you'll find loads, 20 for 7 pounds for example. Doesn't matter which manufacturer as long as it's the same size or bigger than your current pads, you can then cut it to fit.

 

[dancelikeamonkeu]

That's smashing, thanks mate. Bought 50 pads on eBay for £6 including delivery.