Length On Life For A Whishper Filter?

[valpofan98]

It seems like I go through a filter every year to two years...Is that normal for a filter? I have 20L gallon aqaurium...I use a filter for 20-30 gallon fish tank. To be honest, I do not clean the filter that often...I have challenges putting it back together again. I have been caring for 2 African Cichlids for the past 6 years.

Thanks,
Kirsten

 

[Aprilia997]

Not cleaning the filter is a good way to reduce the operational life of the filter. Get an old tooth brush to clean the impeller and the hole in the motor that it fits into.

Mark a day on the calender that would be easy to clean the filter once a month and just do a partial teardown of the filter. Unplug the filter and pull the siphon tube out, then grab the impeller which is the little propeller thing that the tube fits over. Brush the impeller to remove any slime which has built up and then brush the slot in the motor that the impeller goes into. Slide the tube back down into the same position it was in before you took it out and restart the filter making sure there is water in the filter box. I usually pour a glass of water into the filter to make it start faster.

The filter may not last forever but you will get six to eight years by doing this. The thing that kills the filter is the buildup of heat as the impeller slows down from getting dirty.

 

[nukeonekitty]

Just agreeing with previous poster, if you put time in, it will put time in! Filter should most certainly last longer that that!

 

[Boids-n-more]

i agree with the above post and would like to add , make sure you use tank water to fill the filter. if you use tap water the chlorine in it will kill some of or mayby all of your benificial bacteria. Also i like to use at least 2 hang on the back for the purpose of while i'm cleaning one the other is still filtering and when one does die on me the other is still going.

 

[valpofan98]

Thank you all for your comments. They definitely are appreciated and will be useful for me. I will set a date each month to clean the filter. Kirsten