My filter aint working

[Jen]

Grr. I just changed my tank over to sand, and used pool filter sand due to how insainly cheap it was.

anyway. I keep finding the filter not spewing out any water, and the motor is very hot. It's a hang over the back kind, and the intake tube is at least 6 inces above the sand. The fish store told me that it wouldnt be the sand, since its too heavy to be picked up. Luckily Top Fin has a lifetime warranty for its filters, so I got a new one, and the same thing is happening.

this has happened to 2 filters... don't think thats a coincidence. I can't see any sand 'floating' at all, and the closest air stone is about 6 or 7 inches away.

Any thoughts?

 

[tstenback]

Is the air stone lying on the sand? If so it is probably kicking up some into the water, might be something to look at. Also you could take a piece of sponge and put it over the intake tube on the filter, this should filter out the sand if that is what is causing you the filter grief. HTH

 

[Jen]

Those are both fantastic ideas. I will put sponge on the filter and un-bury the air stones and hopefully that will make a difference!

 

[piscean]

there's this one time i took apart my tank to clean it then put it back together and my filter wouldn't work... it was making all sorts of buzzing noise but nothing was happening but then an airstone accidentally landed right underneath the intake tube and POOF! my filter was fixed this nightmare happens all the time and that airstone seems to always do the trick.

just place airstone under intake tube (to maybe help boost the flow of water).

i'm no aquarium technician and i know the situation is slightly different (considering i don't use sand) but just thought i'd share an experience good luck!

 

[Jen]

I sort of noticed that when i stir up the sand and air bubbles went up the intake that it made more noise. Maybe it just needed bubbles for whatever reason.

Thanks