Filter Problems

[Curtle]

Alright guys, I'm new round here but scanning through threads on here everyone seems real helpful so thought I would ask you all a question.
I'm new to aquariums, etc but a family member had some fish that she was not looking after properly so I took them off her hands and when I did she gave me a filter. Now when I turn the filter on it makes a noise but nothing else seems to be happening. There is no water flow through the filter. As I have never seen a filter before I don't know what the problem could be and if you guys could help me I'd be greatly appreciative. If you need to know the filter is a Aqua One Clear View 280 and it is an external filter that hangs on the tank.

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[Duz]

That’s weird how there is no water flow at all. Normally if there is some flow it suggests that the cartridges are blocked. Would be an idea just to check them to be on the safe side and give them a rinse in old tank water just to clear them out a bit.

My guess would be that the pump is broken, if the pump was working there would be a continuous flow of water (even if the flow would be a small amount). You may want to check the pump impeller, if that isn't moving whilst everything is plugged in, you may have to replace the impeller or get a brand new pump section/filter. Saying that if your filter is making a noise that might just be the impeller spinning, but worth just checking it to be on the safe side. Personally, I don't know how the aqua one clear view 280 works but if I was in your shoes that’s what I would check out. Hope that helps, I'm sure others on the forum can help slightly more.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

 

[This Old Spouse]

With an HOB filter (hang on back) there is probably an intake tube that sucks the water in from the tank. These just kind of jiggle loose and at the point where it goes inside the rest of the filter is an impeller. This is what sucks up the water. These can become immobile for a number of reasons, but the first thing I would check is that it's clean and doesn't have something obstructing it. One of my HOBs is kind of delicate and the least little thing will keep it from turning, so I have to clean it regularly.

Good luck, and welcome!

 

[Erik]

Most HOB filters need help to start siphoning. They need to be primed. With the filter hanging on the tank and running start pouring water into the top of filter until the air is out of the filter and a siphon has started. It may take some time.

 

[Curtle]

Most HOB filters need help to start siphoning. They need to be primed. With the filter hanging on the tank and running start pouring water into the top of filter until the air is out of the filter and a siphon has started. It may take some time.

I have filled it up and it kind of works. My only problem now is that when I was taking it all apart making sure it was clean my dog came in and took the impeller for it and chewed half of the fin bits off so now when the water gets to the top of the tube it just falls back down and doesn't do anything other than loop around again.

Is there a way I can fix this until I can get a new impeller or shall I just turn the filter off and order one asap?

Oh and thanks for all your replies, much appreciated

 

[Erik]

You may be able to order a new impeller, but with not knowing what kind of shape your filter is in, that may not be your only problem. I think what I would do is order a new filter and an impeller for the old one. That way you have a filter that you know is good and maybe a backup filter. The AC HOB filters are good filters.

How big is your tank and knowing where you are would help to determine what filter would work and where to order it from.

 

[Curtle]

It is a 34 litre tank if I'm correct.

 

[Erik]

The AquaClear - AC 20 would be a good filter. I'm not sure out of the US they use the same model numbers. Basically you're looking for a filter that turns the tank over at least 5 times per hour, so 34 x 5 = 170 liters per hour. Maybe someone in Europe will jump in with some more info.

 

[Curtle]

sorry for delayed reply.

But anyway I managed to get the filter working. I got an old top-up card and glued them in place as the fins on the impeller and then removed the filters and filled the filter up and booted it up to my surprise it started working!

so thanks to everyone's help

 

[Erik]

I'm not quite sure what you did, but good job.

 

[Curtle]

I'm not quite sure what you did, but good job.

its a massive bodge job but it works and the difference you get between having a filter and not is 100% visible. Looks so much cleaner not to mention the fish look happier.

anyway thanks again