Filter Losing Power ...?

[challdog]

i have a bio-filter
5 stage:
1-bio balls
2-gravel
3-sponge
4-charcoal
5-ceraminc rings

anyways, ive had it for about 2-3 months now, but it doesn't gush out the water anywhere near as fast as it used to...
it just kinda dribbles now...

is this a sign that things need replacing?
or is it just reducing in power, because it's cleaning the water better...?

(i have been cleaning my filter once every 4 weeks)


cheers guys,
iain

 

[SchottayB]

Sure it's not blocked up with crap? My little filter in my old shrimp tank used to do the same. It was down to sand being stuck in there.

 

[Caprichoso]

It's clogged with debris. You have to rinse out the media (with tank water) every week or two to keep the filter running at maximum power. If you don't, it can be very hard on the motor. Your filter will get clogged faster if you have more decaying plant matter or a heavy bio-load. Try cleaning it more often and see what happens. You may also want to bin your charcoal, it's useless media unless you need to remove tannins out of the water or medication. It can be replaced with either more bio-balls or another sponge. You shouldn't have to replace your media until it's falling apart or you can't clean it properly anymore. That should take a very long time, like years in fact.

 

[challdog]

okay then,
ill give it a thourough clean and see what happens

 

[challdog]

cleaned out my tank and my filter.
seems back to normal now
thanks very much guys