External Filter - Clogging Up With Debris

[GavSuz]

Had my external filter for about 6 weeks now
it's got clogged up with debris from live plants and fish poo twice - is this common?

clogged up to the state that it seemed as if no water was coming back into the tank - well no water movement anyway.

today i placed a little bag over the suction end - one from the electric gravel/tank cleaner
is this ok to do ?

any help appriciated as never had an external filter before this ?

Thanx

 

[Aquascaper]

The externals intake pipe should have a strainer fitted to it at all times, not just a bare pipe. Stops fish, plants, etc. from getting into your filter. Did it not come with one?

 

[GavSuz]

yeh it has got a strainer fitted - holes/slats are still big enough for the strands from plants to get in though

 

[Livewire88]

It may be that your tank was quite dirty before adding the external filter and is giving your tank a good clean. Clean the filter out regularly and the problem should improve

Also what make and model is the filter? what size tank do you have and what fish are you keeping?

 

[GavSuz]

most debris is from the live plants

filter is the all pond solutions 1000ef+

got 2 big catfish (1 nearly 12"), lots guppies, red tail shark, 2 silver sharks, 2 gouramis, 4 kuhli loaches, 2 mollies

think thats it

tank is a juwel rio 180

got a smaller 60l juwel for breeding - but this is using a £10 cheapo A.P.S filter, does the trick

 

[deftuch]

most debris is from the live plants

filter is the all pond solutions 1000ef+

got 2 big catfish (1 nearly 12"), lots guppies, red tail shark, 2 silver sharks, 2 gouramis, 4 kuhli loaches, 2 mollies

think thats it

tank is a juwel rio 180

got a smaller 60l juwel for breeding - but this is using a £10 cheapo A.P.S filter, does the trick

you could always weave some really thin fishing line around the strainer and make a smaller mesh to make the intake holes smaller. will take some time but will work.

 

[Livewire88]

most debris is from the live plants

filter is the all pond solutions 1000ef+

got 2 big catfish (1 nearly 12"), lots guppies, red tail shark, 2 silver sharks, 2 gouramis, 4 kuhli loaches, 2 mollies

think thats it

tank is a juwel rio 180

got a smaller 60l juwel for breeding - but this is using a £10 cheapo A.P.S filter, does the trick

Well I am no expert but if you have 2 big catfish one of which is almost 12" you are likely well over stocked for the size of tank you have. Also the filter you are using is well known for being down on the quoted flow rate, I have an APS1000 on my 60litre tank and I wouldn't use it on a larger a tank.

Also if you have a lot of live plants and the filter is getting clogged up by dead leaves you need to be netting the dead leaves out daily to help stop the filter becoming clogged. I am guessing that the large catfish are damaging the plants which is causing all the debris, and they must poo a lot!

If it were me I would be looking to rehome the 2 large catfish you have or upgrade to a much larger tank if possible

 

[GavSuz]

thanx very much for ur help livewire88

 

[bodge99]

Hello,

Have a look at something like this http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EHEIM-EXTERNAL-CANISTER-FISH-TANK-PRE-FILTER-4004320-EASYCLICK-INTAKE-TRAPS-DIRT-/200654961483?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item2eb7f7bb4b

I use these on all of my tanks.. and I don't have any Eheim external filters.

I breed mollies, and my stocking levels can often be described as "insane". Obviously a lot of waste is produced...

I use two of these prefilters in my larger tanks (remove the bottom of the prefilter to allow a 4 segment one to be assembled). The use of these safeguards any fry in the tank and prevents excessive "buildup" in the external filter.

I have to clean the prefilters weekly (very easy to do), but the external filters only need cleaning every six months or so.

bodge99.

 

[GavSuz]

good idea that

so these connect to the tube that goes to the external filyer ?
what size pipe is needed?
mine is a solid plastic pipe

 

[bodge99]

Hello,

This prefilter is designed to fit onto a rigid 12mm or 16 mm O/D pipe (either size will connect to the same prefilter). I personally use Eheim rigid pipes on a couple of tanks. The other tanks have a mixture of Aqua One and "unknown" rigid pipes. I've yet to find a rigid pipe that won't connect...

If you do need an Eheim inlet/outlet pipe then look for these:

For 12/16 pipe: http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EHEIM-Intake-Pipe-12mm-Aquarium-Filter-Inlet-Tube-7272210-/271049349814?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3f1bccdab6

For 16/22 pipe: http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EHEIM-Intake-Pipe-16mm-Aquarium-Filter-Inlet-Tube-7275808-/271073703349?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3f1d4075b5

BTW. Eheim flexible pipe is described as 16/22mm (internal/external diameters) for the larger stuff and 12/16 for the medium size.

I've had no problems at all using Aqua One, Rena or "generic" hoses with these inlet pipes... You **might"" have soften the end of the hose in hot water before you make the connection...

Any questions, just ask.

Hope that this helps.

Bodge99

 

[GavSuz]

mine is a A.P.S filter
the pipe is a hard plastic one

might have to give it a go - £10 aint gona break the bank i suppose

 

[Tizer]

prefilters...eew, unsightly ;p

 

[GavSuz]

i've already removed the live plants that where the culprits of small bits in the tank

will stick to larger leaf plants from now on - hopefully that will help or cure my problem

 

[Livewire88]

i've already removed the live plants that where the culprits of small bits in the tank

will stick to larger leaf plants from now on - hopefully that will help or cure my problem

Well that will sort the issue with the filter being blocked with plant bits, but wont help with the amount of poo that gets created by the huge catfish!!