Filters

[mrsdibbs]

Hello,
My husband is in the navy and has gone away for 6 months. Now the problems arise with 'HIS' fish tank lol.
We have a 4ft fish tank with two external filters, on is an interpet and one is an EHEIM. One started making a funny noise ages ago so i turned it off and then other started making a funny noise this morning so i turned that off too. I think they just need a bit of a clean but i don't know how to take them apart, how to clean them or how to put them back together. I can't find the manuals and have had no success finding anything on the net so i thought i would try a forum?
Or if anyone lives in near portsmouth and want a 4ft fish tank, two filters and anything else that we have to go with with it for £100 come and get it coz its doing my head in.

Many thanks

Cara

 

[rabbut]

The filters need to be on at all times or the fish will die. These are their life support systems, and thus are the single most important item of equipment the tank runs.

Strange noises are almost sertainly a sign that it is time to clean, so this is what you should look to do. Can you give us model numbers, and then we can tell you how to go about it.

If you are looking to sell, place an ad in "buy, sell or swap" and I'm sure someone will get in touch.

to the forum
Rabbut

 

[mrsdibbs]

i know the filters need to be on all the time, and they have bacteria etc etc. but the bugger went off and left me with all his gadgets that i have no clue about and the noise was frightening me so i had no choice but to turn them off. lol

the EHEIM is 2213??? and the interpet is a Prime 20 again
i have also just dicovered that the bulbs are not working to. i think i may nee to go to the local aqautics shop and asj if they can come round and sort it out. this is so out of my depth (i'm gonna kill him when he comes home ha ha ha)

Sorry if thats no enough info on the filters but i think his fish tank is gonna have to go.

Thanks for getting back

cara

 

[dave1987]

the filters should just unclip imo then just wash what is in there in some tank water in a bucket then throw the tank water away and put the filters back in.. are you doing water changes ??

 

[mrsdibbs]

no water change i honestly don't know where to start. If i unclip them tho wont water come out of the tubes and go everywhere - thats my main worry? can i take them to the sink, will i need to fill them up with water again? what if i take them apart and can't reasemble them (i am a woman after all ha ha).

Thanks again

Cara

 

[squiggle 2000]

is there some one on the forum that could help this lady out

 

[OldMan47]

I don't have either one but take a look at where the hoses go into the filters. There should be a valve on each tube right whee it connects to the filter, in some filters there is a lever that shuts off both hoses at once. That is how my Rena and my Marineland C series are set up. Once the valves are shut off, the top part can usually be separated from the rest of the filter by moving a few clamps or similar items. If you have a good look at it you can figure out what is holding it all together. When a filter is opened, take a hard look at how the parts are put together so you can get them back in the way they come out. Baskets and such can be removed one at a time and the contents rinsed out and put the filter back together. When everything is put back together, check to make sure nothing got caught between the cover and the body of the filter, it can happen. If everything looks good, open up the valves on the hoses and wait a minute or two for the filter to fill itself. Once it stops gurgling and burping, you can plug it in and expect some minor spitting noises while it gets rid of the air bubbles that were trapped inside.
I wish I could help with better descriptions but I've never had either of those particular filters.

 

[dave1987]

unplug there should be a valve to turn the water flow off near the filters on the pipes.. then take it apart and you wont get water everywhere as for a water change go to you local pet shop get some water dechlorinator and follow the instruction shown on the bottle..how long has it been since there has been a water change?

if you can add a picture of your filters i can help you probably alot better then hopeffully

 

[rabbut]

If you can tell us where you are based, mebe a memeber on here could call round to have a look, if you got a neibour to watch over the proceeding so you feel safe with a stranger in the house....

Just an idea, sorry I can't add more guidance without being there in person
Rabbut