Help...my Hob Filter Just Stopped Working!

[Boulder Fish]

What do I do? How long do I have before my super healthy bacterial colony dies? This is a 20 gallon tank that has been running beautifully for over a year...no drama.

HELP.

 

[Gourami123]

the bacteria need oxygen and dont last that long without it.
what exactly is wrong with it

 

[Boulder Fish]

I would assume the motor burned out, I did nothing different that every other cleaning I have done, so I don't know. It probably wasn't the best filter to begin with, so maybe its just the end of its like. Unfortunately, I don't have a LFS here in Laramie, so the only thing I can think to do is run to Walmart and get a new one that will at least keep the water running. I put my filter media in aquarium water in a tupperware container, I will take it with me and keep it moving....that is the only thing I can think to do. I am scared my fish are going to suffer. Trying not to panic.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Boulder Fish

Please don't panic. If you pour some water through it, the bacteria will be fine until you get back from the store. It takes a few hours before they start to die off and even then, if most of them are alive, they will regenerate quickly.

Did the filter make strange noises before it stopped? Did you take the motor off and clean it? If it's a brand they sell in the lfs, perhaps you can just replace the impeller. Even if you get another filter to replace it, it might be worth fixing for future use.

 

[Boulder Fish]

Thank you Li'l Ole Fish Lady...

There were no strange noises... It just quit. I have all of the powered equipment on one power strip. Everything else is fine...no problem with power. I didn't take out enough water to go below the suction line or anything else that I think would cause the motor to burn out. Its a bit of a mystery to me.

I am in Laramie, Wyoming, so there are no local fish stores. I have to go to Fort Collins, Colorado...about an hour and half away (when the roads aren't closed for winter storms!) for an LFS. So, since I can't do that tonight, I went to Walmart. I hate supporting their fish department, because I think the way the treat their fish is deplorable and the advice I have heard them give people is worse. But, I got a filter that I am sure will get me through for the time being. I just pulled out their chemical filtration bag and replaced it with my bag of ceramic ring media which I kept in aquarium water throughout the last 1.5 hours.

I like your idea of trying to repair my old filter. Even if I don't decide to start another tank, I can have it on hand as a back up, should anything like this happen again!

Thanks again!