So I sit down last night in front of my 55 gallon....

[julielynn47]

And I get all comfortable in my little chair, look up at my tank, and...I see no water movement. I had one of those double take momemts.... then it hit me, the filter system is not working. I go into OMG mode. It is late...I live in the country, a 30 minute drive to nearest store where, hopefully, they would have a system that would run the tank, but you never know...it is Wal Mart....

So I jump out of my chair and yank the cover off the filter system and it looks like it has not been running for some time. ( Although I knew it was running fine earlier in the afternoon ). So I start fiddling with it... I unplug it and plug it back in...nothing. So I plug it into another socket...again, nothing.... So I then attack the impeller. I jiggle it and wiggle it and then finally just lifted it up and pushed it back down, and finally it started working again.

Thank goodness! Who knows what was wrong, but I am thinking it might be time to start thinking about another filtration system. Because if it did once, it will do it again. This filter is not that old. Just a few months actually. The one I before this one, same kind, lasted for years before it died. And it died so slowly that I didn't even realize that it was on its way out. And I think that had a lot to do with my BBA issue. Because the water was just not flowing enough and having enough filtration. Things started looking up after I got this new filter system.

So I guess I will be on the look out for a new filter system. This one is a AquaTechPower Filter 30-60. Not an expensive filter but the brand has served me well on this aquarium. But if this one is on the blink, I am thinking that maybe they are not built as good as they used to be. I know the biological media that comes with them is not good anymore. It is not even a sponge, it is a solid plastic sheet like thing. I threw it out and didn't use it. I put my old media in. I have posted a pic of it. Granted, it has holes in it, but it is just hard plastic. Anyway, makes no sense to me.

 

[Ch4rlie]

There are all kinds of filtration media, all you want is media that bacterias can cling on to and grow, even if its hard plastic.

Remember, bacteria is ALL over your tank as well as the filter itself, just the fact the filter has water running through it means the food comes to the bacterias more consistently.

But as long as you can get your filter media put into the new filter, cut up the media if needs be to get that to fit, youre good to go

Having a spare filter just in case your current one gives up the ghost is good practice really.

Personally I have several filters that I know are working and are fairly decent that is stored in the cupboard for that just in case moment.

I also keep some filter media, a cheap light unit, heater and several other bits and pieces, I plan to get one of those battery operated air pumps and airstones should there be a long power cut as well. Probably a bit OTT but it gives me peace of mind that they are there just in case. Better to have them than not.

 

[julielynn47]

Not at all over the top in my opinion. I have a battery operated one hooked to the 55, and have since I got the tank. I also purchased one for the shrimp tank and another for the 75 gallon.

You can get them for about 12 dollars on Amazon

My thoughts on that bio media is that once it get dirty, if you rub the stuff off, you are probably rubbing a lot of the bacteria off as well. Because it has nothing spongy to hold on to. I think the sponges are better.

 

[AbbeysDad]

I also believe that bio-sponge is better than ceramic media or glorified pumice stone (Matrix/DeNitrate) to serve as a platform for beneficial bacteria.

As for HOB filters, I like the Fluval (Formerly Hagen) Aquaclear models as they allow YOU to select the type and quantity of media you prefer (I have mine just filled with sponge material - coarse, then fine).

As for your filter, many/most impellers are driven by magnetic induction. Often detritus gets down into where the magnet fits into the motor housing and gunks up the works. Get in there with a "Q" tip and a good spray of water to give a good cleaning.

Tank on,
-Mike

 

[StevenF]

It is likely debris or a buildup of organic material on the impeller casued it to stall. You should periodically remove the impeller, wipe it down and reinstall it.

 

[julielynn47]

I cleaned it out not long ago. But it did have something to do with the impeller because when I lifted and pushed it back down it started working again. Next time I do a water change I will clean it out again really good.