Filter Going Out

[KathleenMae]

Hello out there. I just have a quick question.. We have a small 10 gallon tank that has been set up about 2 years. The thing is the filter seems to be going out. The suction is hardly there and the filter water output has become a trickle. It was just a cheap one. But since the filter has all the "good" bacteria in it, how should I go about installing a new filter? I ws thinking of using the used cartridge into the new filter, but would that be enough? Thanks!!

 

[CPQ]

Have you checked the filter doesn't just need cleaning? Mine starts slowing down after about a week or so and it's just because they get gunked up!Just take it out quickly and have a look in all the inside bits. give it a rinse in tank water and see if it starts working properly again!oh and if you do have to get a new one, it's fine to just move the old cartridge over and that'll transfer the good bacteria

 

[KathleenMae]

I have degunked the filter recently it is a Whisper 10 (from Tetra). I think it is just a cheaper version and won't last as long. It came in a tank kit.

 

[Dark Wolf]

yeah, it just could be clogged up with lots of gunk

 

[KathleenMae]

How long do filters usually last?

 

[jayjay]

Depends on the type of filter, some eheims are well over 10 years old and still going well.

 

[Yetti]

You should buy a filter that is rated for a 20 gallon aquarium (maybe an Aquaclear) because I know what filter you are talking about, and they are horrendous.

Just take out that coarse black sponge (if you have one in the filter) and put it in the new filter, or run both filters for a week to two weeks.

 

[KathleenMae]

Well i cleaned my tank this morning and decided to take the filter apart. and there it was... a piece of this stringy moss we have in the tank had wrapped around a piece of the filter mechanism that was supposed to spin. so I got that off and put it all back together and it works (almost) like new! Not quite as powerful as brand new, but there is a real nice turnover going on now. When I do replace this filter it won't be with the same brand. Thanks for everone's help and advice.