Interal Power Filter Water Flow

[dojima]

I have bought an 'Interpet PF 2 Internal Power Filter' for my new tank setup. I have no previous experience of internal power filters and am concerned at the flow of the device. The water out at the top of the device gives a good powerful stream of water out however the rate of water being pulled into the inlet at the bottom of the filter is practically non-existent. I can't feel anything and even tiny bits of dirt about 1cm from the water inlet are not drawn in.

If I pop the filter into a sink of water, enough to completly submerge the bottom half of the device then nothing happens. Water only flows if the top of the device is submerged, at this point water easily gets into the device between the clips holding top and bottom and in through the rate adjuster bar gap.

What should I expect?

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[Jozlyn]

Did you read the instructions? I think you'll find that the filter needs to be completely submerged for it to work correctly.

It should have something on the box or the filter itself to tell you the litres or gallons per hour that it will process, this amount needs to be around 5 times the total volume of water in your tank, ie if the tank is 100lts then the filter should process 500lts per hour or more.

As for why it wont suck up the waste near it, I have no idea, I know nothing about your type of filter. Try submerging it in a bucket of water and add some crushed fish food, wait for that to sink, then see if it picks it all up after an hour or so that should give you an idea about whethr it's working properly or not. It could be that there is something wrong with it. I did something similar with a second hand filter I got recently, except I used a bucket of water I'd syphoned from another tank and cleaned the filter from it in it, so the water was pretty mucky, it was all cleaned up within an hour or so.

Hope this helps

 

[dojima]

Thanks Jozlyn,

I have a 60l, the filter is rated as 500l/hr MAX.

The unit had been submerged in the tank for two days, the water was slightly cloudy and I was expecting the water to clear via the filter. When the water had not cleared after two days I wondered how much water the filter was processing, this is when I began investigating.

I will try the filter on its own in a bucket, add some crushed flakes and report back.

My general question for any internal power filter (when fully submerged), is the flow of the filter intake noticeable e.g. Do you see bits of dirt etc being draw to it.
If you put your hand near it can it be felt?

I have nothing to compare against.

 

[Jozlyn]

Ok, I just went and put my hand in the tank.

I can't feel any sort of pull at the intake area, just a slight vibration from the motor, I stuck a strand of Java Moss next to it and it didn't get sucked onto it, it just floated away.

But, I often find bits of plant stuck to the side and I know it's working ok as my water is crystal clear and the sponges are really mucky when I rinse them out each week. My Nitrites and Amonia are 0, so it's obviously doing it's job.

Let me know how you go with the bucket idea

 

[dojima]

Thanks for the pratical test, sounds like that is how it is supposed to function.
I am going to start my fishless cycling today and will keep a detailed beginners journal to post once I am finished.

Will soon find out if the filter is working

Thanks again for your help Jozlyn.

 

[Jozlyn]

Hey no problem, I like to help if I can, I got sooooo much help in here when I first started and I still do, I don't think you ever stop learning in this hobby.