Fluval Filter Keeps Dying

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I have a fluval 1 filter, however, this will be the 3rd of 4th time in a matter of weeks that after a week the flow reduces to nothing. The only way I can get the flow to be strong again is to clean the sponge out (it’s mostly clean); it’s a fairly new filter in my tank so as you can guess the sponge is fairly clean. It’s REALLY annoying; I don’t want to get another filter, is there anything I can do to keep the flow up? I shouldn’t have to check it every week to make sure the flow is working. First time it happened the flow stopped all together, I’ve now moved it so I can see it rippling on the water surface and now that has pretty much halted to a stop again.

Short of buying another one, can anyone advise on what to do?

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

My U4 gradually became pathetic over the course of the summer. If you can, open up the pump section and add vinegar to the impeller cavity, then give it a clean a few minutes later. I removed loads of junk and its now running well again.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Brilliant; I'll try it tonight . The filter is literally 3 months old; but everything is worth a shot.

My boyfriend has a fluval 2 (hence I got the smaller one) and it's perfect, running well etc.

 

[Athena]

I've had this problem with both of the Fluval filters I've bought. Quite used to it now LOL. Very annoying though. I've put it down to the fact that because they are so effective at removing debris from the tank (i.e. fish poop, food waste etc) they do get clogged slightly quicker than other less-effective filters.

Sometimes it's a tiny bit of debris in the impeller making it slow down.

Just don't be tempted to start squeezing out your sponges too thoroughly, Dipsy, otherwise you'll end up destroying your good bacteria levels.

If after checking the impeller and you're satisfied it's not clogged anywhere, then you could mention it to your supplier as maybe its faulty in some way. I'm sure they have a year's guarantee don't they?

Athena

 

[the biffster]

i have got a 4+ in a gold fish
tank with to fish in it and after
about a week and a half the flow drops right
off clean the sponges in old tank water and
bingo good for another week by the way
the stats on the tank are perfect before
and after cleaning

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Just don't be tempted to start squeezing out your sponges too thoroughly, Dipsy, otherwise you'll end up destroying your good bacteria levels.

I'm definitely not doing that; well I did a few weeks ago to see if it helped but not since.

 

[Athena]

Can't be as bad as what I used to do when I had my very first tank many years ago... I used to rinse the sponge filter out under the tap until it looked crystal clean again!! Then every couple of months I would change it completely! How my poor fish survived as long as they did, I'll never know. They must've hated me!

Oooooh yes...we've all made mistakes...

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

6 days later and we have basically no flow. I gave the propeller and cavity a proper clean last week, checked it again this week and it was clean, but very little flow, grr.

 

[the biffster]

6 days later and we have basically no flow. I gave the propeller and cavity a proper clean last week, checked it again this week and it was clean, but very little flow, grr.

did you use vinegar to clean
the impeller and the place
were it goes and what are
the sponges like in the way of
detritus

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

The sponges are clean; I mean if I clean it anymore there won't be a hint of dirt on it.

I didn't use vinegar as I got in the cavity with cotton buds and cleaned everything out, I cleaned the propellor; there was no build up on it or no dirt. When I opened it up this week it was still clean inside (cotton bud came out clean).

 

[elisew]

It must be a typical problem with these filters, I have 4 of them and they all do the same as yours is

It's annoying because I have to keep undoing all the cable ties and reaching down the back of units to sort the stupid filters out

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

The vinegar in the cavity will help losen the limescale that impeeds the impeller, before you use the cotton buds

 

[the biffster]

The vinegar in the cavity will help losen the limescale that impeeds the impeller, before you use the cotton buds

thats just what i was going
to say nobody of the goat

 

[alex.wardle]

i have had my internal for about 2-3 weeks now (fluval 1). the flow was rubbish until i figured out y
the sponge is 2 dense and thick/heavy to allow enough water thuw. so after a week or so of very little gunk build up it really effects the flow. what i did was simple.
Take a few bio rings or something of the same size and aquarium safe. take out your sponge put the (whatever you are using underneath) making sure they do not go down the impeller shaft bit then put the sponge back in.
This basically just lifts the sponge of the impeller gap enough to allow good flow.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

It must be a typical problem with these filters, I have 4 of them and they all do the same as yours is

It's annoying because I have to keep undoing all the cable ties and reaching down the back of units to sort the stupid filters out

Me too; but it's less than a week each time I have to do it!

The vinegar in the cavity will help losen the limescale that impeeds the impeller, before you use the cotton buds

There is no visible lime scale on it thats why I didn't use it; although next time I will (I just wanted to try one thing at a time) - will it be ok to clean with vinegar; rinse and put straight back in the tank?

i have had my internal for about 2-3 weeks now (fluval 1). the flow was rubbish until i figured out y
the sponge is 2 dense and thick/heavy to allow enough water thuw. so after a week or so of very little gunk build up it really effects the flow. what i did was simple.
Take a few bio rings or something of the same size and aquarium safe. take out your sponge put the (whatever you are using underneath) making sure they do not go down the impeller shaft bit then put the sponge back in.
This basically just lifts the sponge of the impeller gap enough to allow good flow.

That is what I think too. There is tiny bits of dirt on the sponge but I think it's too "thick" to get through the sponge and to allow the flow through. I might try that next week; I have ceramic noodles in with my goldfish; I'm sure they wouldn't miss half a dozen of them...