Help - Filter Not Pumping

[Modernmin]

Just got a 240L / 1.2M tank, and a new filter. I am quite the noobie with fish and tanks, so the dude at the shop might have ripped me off / sold me the wrong stuff.
 
I have a ViaAqua TSF-1000, it is suction cupped to the corner with the top round thing just outside the water (few MM). It is pushing out water at the bottom (the gravel moves) and the little spout thing at the top is pushing water across the surface. The problem is the bottom is getting filthy, and it looks like nothing is getting sucked into the filter. There was no instruction manual in the filter box, so I'm not sure if its all right? My GF put all the plants in, it looks quite crowded, but they're mainly in the back so there is a good amount open room. I put the little filter in the front in as a backup, but has been removed.
 
Any advice?
 

 

 

 

[Ch4rlie]

I've tried to find this specific filter online but without any luck.
 
I would go back to that store and explain plus ask for an instrcution manual, if they cannot then perhap they may replace the filter if you think it is malfunctioning.
 
But having said that, have you checked the filter completely, usually they are pretty easy to work out. Perhaps it may somehting as simple as not pushed together properly, not sealed properly. Plastic wrapping removed from filter media, i have heard thishappening  before. Pipes connected properly and in correct apertures etc.
 
May seem obvious but its always worth asking and double checking first.

 

[Modernmin]

I've tried to find this specific filter online but without any luck.
 
I would go back to that store and explain plus ask for an instrcution manual, if they cannot then perhap they may replace the filter if you think it is malfunctioning.
 
But having said that, have you checked the filter completely, usually they are pretty easy to work out. Perhaps it may somehting as simple as not pushed together properly, not sealed properly. Plastic wrapping removed from filter media, i have heard thishappening  before. Pipes connected properly and in correct apertures etc.
 
May seem obvious but its always worth asking and double checking first.

 
Hi,
 
Thanks for the reply. It's a brand new filter, so I hope they didn't sell me a dud. I shall take it all out tomorrow and check Apparently it is meant to have an outlet to suck in air?

 

[Ch4rlie]

The outlet to suck in air is most likely for a venturi system, basically to create small air bubbles to go in the tank via the output flow, would not worry too much about that, it works with or without that. But do check to be sure.
 
If its brand new then it should be ok I would have thought. Just a case o figuring out where its gone wrong, usually somehting very simple. Check the housing case is closed properly and if the impellar (the fan type thing inside the powerhead) is not impeded or broken. All that sort of thing.

 

[Modernmin]

The outlet to suck in air is most likely for a venturi system, basically to create small air bubbles to go in the tank via the output flow, would not worry too much about that, it works with or without that. But do check to be sure.
 
If its brand new then it should be ok I would have thought. Just a case o figuring out where its gone wrong, usually somehting very simple. Check the housing case is closed properly and if the impellar (the fan type thing inside the powerhead) is not impeded or broken. All that sort of thing.

 
Thanks, will try it in the morning, will remove it and refit it etc...

 

[Ch4rlie]

Sounds like a plan.
 
And ask the store if they have the instruction manual for that filter, they should provide it if its available.
 
NOTE - if the store won't provide you with one, might be an idea to call the manufacturer of that filter to ask if they have instruction manuals or to explain what may be wrong.

 

[Modernmin]

Sounds like a plan.
 
And ask the store if they have the instruction manual for that filter, they should provide it if its available.
 
NOTE - if the store won't provide you with one, might be an idea to call the manufacturer of that filter to ask if they have instruction manuals or to explain what may be wrong.

 
Will try yes, but the model seems to have been discontinued, maybe why I can't find the filter manual or support... Anyway I will check in the morning and post back

 

[Modernmin]

Sounds like a plan.
 
And ask the store if they have the instruction manual for that filter, they should provide it if its available.
 
NOTE - if the store won't provide you with one, might be an idea to call the manufacturer of that filter to ask if they have instruction manuals or to explain what may be wrong.

 
Ok, it might look like its broken. I took it apart and put back, but a lot of waste that is circulating is simply gliding right past it? I guess this means its gone??

 

[Ch4rlie]

Honestly, I can't tell without seeing the filter myself.

Kind of sounds like you have no filter media inside or its in wrong position. Really hard for anyone to hazard a guess without pics or seeing the filter first hand.

I'd contact the store or even go to the store with the filter if its really close by and see if staff there can help.

 

[Gruntle]

Sounds like you have a Via Aqua VA-TSF1000 (I tried a few word nations to get Mr Google to give up results). This is a powerhead, and doesn't actually contain any filter medium. More experienced fish keepers should be able to advise from here, I have external canister filters and cannot tell you what you need to sort your problem (probably connect the powerhead to some other filtering device, or perhaps take it back, beat the seller with it and tell him you need filtration).  Did you get any other equipment?

 

[Modernmin]

Sounds like you have a Via Aqua VA-TSF1000 (I tried a few word nations to get Mr Google to give up results). This is a powerhead, and doesn't actually contain any filter medium. More experienced fish keepers should be able to advise from here, I have external canister filters and cannot tell you what you need to sort your problem (probably connect the powerhead to some other filtering device, or perhaps take it back, beat the seller with it and tell him you need filtration).  Did you get any other equipment?

 
It is called an internal power filter, isn't that meant to suck up the waste? I have been watching it, it sucks up nothing at all, but it is pushing water from the top spout thing. Is it broken?

 

[Ch4rlie]

That actually does sound like a powerhead to be entirely honest.
A powerhead is solely for the purpose of creating flow inside a tank, not for filtration.
 
Is there any compartments for filter media inside this?
For sponge media and should be space for some ceramic media as well.