Filter Stops Working

[Ficious]

i just realized today(after adding new sand) that my 20 gallon filter stops working every once and a while. i was upstairs eating dinner and came back to find it shut off again. i cant afford to be at work and have this thing jamming up. im assuming its sand that gets sucked up into the intake and clogs the propellar. my first idea is to cut the intake so its not so close to the sand (2.5 inches from the sand now). im a bit worried ill crack it instead of a clean cut. ill probably use my hack saw.

any other ideas? has anyone else had problems with this? the filter is a marineland penguin 150. it also has an adjustable intake switch...maybe i should close the intake a little bit? i want 100% filtration.

if my filter stops working while im at work im going to have a huge problem as i work 16 hour days. im guessing there would be a huge ammonia spike.

the residents are in my sig, its the 20 gallon. my fish in there poop a lot too.

please i could use some advice, i would have posted this in the emergency forum but its not an emergency yet because i am not going to leave it until i figure it out...thanks a million guys

 

[5teady_2012]

If its sucking in sand then the intake is too close to the sand, you will have to move it, if cant move it due to size, you will have to move sand from near it and box it off about 3" higher than the sand around the intake, this way water still get sucks in yet the sand wont.

 

[Axleuk]

I think the best option is to surround the intake pipe with some pebbles, this should stop sand from getting sucked up.

When the filter stops, do you take it apart, and have you confirmed that it is actually sand causing the issue ?

 

[Ficious]

when it stops all i do is pull the intake tube out and it instantly starts to work. in my mind i imagined a small grain of sand being squeezed between the impellar and side of the intake tube. it better be the sand, the filter is 2 days old but has mature media and bio material in it.

 

[5teady_2012]

I think the best option is to surround the intake pipe with some pebbles, this should stop sand from getting sucked up.

When the filter stops, do you take it apart, and have you confirmed that it is actually sand causing the issue ?

I actually like this idea of packing pebbles below the intake.

when it stops all i do is pull the intake tube out and it instantly starts to work. in my mind i imagined a small grain of sand being squeezed between the impellar and side of the intake tube. it better be the sand, the filter is 2 days old but has mature media and bio material in it.

Is there any chance of a pic or the name of your exact filter?

 

[Axleuk]

I think the best option is to surround the intake pipe with some pebbles, this should stop sand from getting sucked up.

When the filter stops, do you take it apart, and have you confirmed that it is actually sand causing the issue ?

I actually like this idea of packing pebbles below the intake.

when it stops all i do is pull the intake tube out and it instantly starts to work. in my mind i imagined a small grain of sand being squeezed between the impellar and side of the intake tube. it better be the sand, the filter is 2 days old but has mature media and bio material in it.

Is there any chance of a pic or the name of your exact filter?

I actually like 5teady, he's cool

 

[5teady_2012]

I think the best option is to surround the intake pipe with some pebbles, this should stop sand from getting sucked up.

When the filter stops, do you take it apart, and have you confirmed that it is actually sand causing the issue ?

I actually like this idea of packing pebbles below the intake.

when it stops all i do is pull the intake tube out and it instantly starts to work. in my mind i imagined a small grain of sand being squeezed between the impellar and side of the intake tube. it better be the sand, the filter is 2 days old but has mature media and bio material in it.

Is there any chance of a pic or the name of your exact filter?

I actually like 5teady, he's cool

I actually like alexuk, hes cool too

 

[Axleuk]

I think the best option is to surround the intake pipe with some pebbles, this should stop sand from getting sucked up.

When the filter stops, do you take it apart, and have you confirmed that it is actually sand causing the issue ?

I actually like this idea of packing pebbles below the intake.

when it stops all i do is pull the intake tube out and it instantly starts to work. in my mind i imagined a small grain of sand being squeezed between the impellar and side of the intake tube. it better be the sand, the filter is 2 days old but has mature media and bio material in it.

Is there any chance of a pic or the name of your exact filter?

I actually like 5teady, he's cool

I actually like alexuk, hes cool too

what you wearing?

 

[5teady_2012]

Your hijacking the thread now lol...

 

[Axleuk]

Your hijacking the thread now lol...

Sorry i got carried away!

 

[5teady_2012]

Your hijacking the thread now lol...

Sorry i got carried away!

Lmao, omg i cant stop laughing hehe

 

[TRDNiteLife]

Is there any chance of a pic or the name of your exact filter?

In the original post he says the filter is a Marineland Penguin 150.

 

[Johnlenham]

Is there any chance of a pic or the name of your exact filter?

In the original post he says the filter is a Marineland Penguin 150.

I would clear a patch and use tank gravel under and about 3inchs around the intake but thats just me

 

[shelaghfishface]

i had this problem and just dug the sand away from the bottom of the filter, you can cover the area with a pot or such like to disguise the fact that theres no sand there


5teady and axel

what on earth are you two up to??? lmao

 

[gaz gun man]

or put the intake at an angle at the back of the tank (rather that vertically straight down) so its not as close to the sand?

If that doesnt cure it atleast you know its not sand getting into the filter before you start hacking away at it