Oh Oh Air Pump Stopped Working...sponge Filter Not Working!

[connorsbala]

K in my female betta tank ive got a sponge filter. I woke up this morning to find it not working,and there was a puddle round by the air pump so i unplugged it and plugged it bak in again. Ive left it to dry for a while but no difference. Im going to the LFS to see if they can replace it,as i wokr there theyll do anything for me
So what can i do in the mean time? All the bacteria will have died right? If i dry it with a hair dryer will that help to dry it up?

I could use the air pump from one of my other tanks but im worried if they wont get enough o2 or something...would they be alright?

 

[jimw13uk]

should be ok for a small amount of time - the bacteria will be ok in the sponge whilst its still wet but if you dry it out it'll kill them all.
Did you have a "none-return" valve in the airline ?
You could alternate the air pumps - an hour on one tank and then swap it round to the other tank - that way at least they are all getting some filtration

 

[connorsbala]

Kl
I only have the air pump in the other tanks for aeration with an air stone,whereas in the betta tank i use it with a sponge filter

 

[jimw13uk]

I'd whip the air pump out of the other tank and stick it on the sponge filter until you can replace it

 

[connorsbala]

kl
so the other fish wont suffer from the lack of o2?

 

[jimw13uk]

nope. could you lift the filter outlet on the other tanks so it breaks the surface - that will do some good - or if its an external filter then you could always add a spray bar to the return pipe to help - but they will be fine without the airstones - and if your replacing they will only be without the air stone for a short amount of time anyway .

 

[bobross]

As long as you have some other means of filtration on the other tanks, the air stone is actually necessary (so I've been told) - so there shouldn't be a problem in using it in your betta tank in the meantime.



BobRoss

 

[for_my_fish]

you really need to get a non return valve for the airline. Less than a quid at most LFS. Water and furniture and water and electrics don't go so well together.

 

[connorsbala]

I have non return valves on all the air pumps bar that one. I think its just the condensationa nd the water drips down the lid

 

[MikeD67]

Kl
I only have the air pump in the other tanks for aeration with an air stone,whereas in the betta tank i use it with a sponge filter

Ok Im not sure i would even worry bout this.. Bettas can breath out of water and the bacteria wont die unless u take the filter out of the water and allow them to die! Bettas dont need airstones in there tank due to the fact when they mature they come to the surface for air more often if your going to get another air pump in a couple days i wouldnt worry bout trying to go thru the trouble of switching ait pumps around and doing all that everything will be fine.