Forgot to unplug filter during water change

[VioletThePurple]

And now the usually quiet filter buzzes. Idk what I should do now. Should I get a new one? If I do it might upset the cycle. I think it still works but I'm not sure.

 

[Fishmanic]

take the filter apart and pull the impeller...then clean it thoroughly and reinstall it properly into the housing

 

[Glenn407]

Also it may have to be primed with water.

 

[MetroPlecs]

What kind of filter is it, and is it pumping water?

 

[Rocky998]

I would take it off the tank, dump all residual water out, and use an unused turkey baster or something to dump water back into the pump. That's what I did when my filter didn't start back up and that worked super well. But it also could need a cleaning

 

[Fishmanic]

filter housing and impeller should be cleaned every month or two.

 

[Rocky998]

filter housing and impeller should be cleaned every month or two.

Well I think I may be a bit behind
I will see how to get into that part of the filter... Its usually easy for me to figure out how to take something apart

 

[itiwhetu]

It sounds like it has air in it and just needs to be re primed properly

 

[VioletThePurple]

Also, it may have to be primed with water.

As in, it has to be cleaned with water that was dosed with Prime?

 

[FranciscoB]

The media yes (aquarium water). The casing, impeller and parts, any water. It doesn’t matter.

 

[Glenn407]

As in, it has to be cleaned with water that was dosed with Prime?

No the filter should be full of water, it may be air bound.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Well I think I may be a bit behind
I will see how to get into that part of the filter... Its usually easy for me to figure out how to take something apart

You have an AquaClear, right?

If so, see here: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/for-those-who-use-aquaclear-hob-filters.472358/

 

[Rocky998]

You have an AquaClear, right?

If so, see here: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/for-those-who-use-aquaclear-hob-filters.472358/

Yup I have an aquaclear 30.
I'll be sure to read that! Thanks!

 

[Slaphppy7]

Yup I have an aquaclear 30.
I'll be sure to read that! Thanks!

 

[AbbeysDad]

Aquaclear is a great HOB and I usually leave mine running during water changes...however, if the tank level gets too low, the water can back siphon and empty the filter. I sometimes will simply remove the inlet tube while the filter remains running, until the water level is restored.
As previously pointed out, simply remove the filter, disassemble, clean, and reassemble - a task that should be done about every month or two at the most especially to ensure that the impeller is not fouled with debris.

By the way, it's a myth (See Fish Hobby Myths vs. Truth)that all the beneficial bacteria lives in the filter. Oh the filter is a great place as food and O2 is constantly delivered. However, in the established tank, the BB in the substrate dwarfs that of any filter. As a matter of fact, in the established tank (say 6 months or longer) filter sponges can typically be cleaned in tap water with no adverse side effects!