The filter is an essential tool for every aquarium. It provides benefits not only to you but above all to the inhabitants of the tank.
Its main task is to clean the water and break down substances harmful to fish.
The filter must operate 24 hours a day and should not be turned off. You probably noticed that it has no on/off switch.
However, it may happen that it will not work properly. We are not always able to determine the cause, but in this article, I will guide you on what should draw your particular attention.
How to tell if your aquarium filter is not working?
There may be a situation where you will not be aware that your filter is not working properly. Only after some time, when you hear its incorrect operation, it turns out that something is not as it should be.
Your filter should be regularly maintained and any irregularities you notice should alert you. What should catch your attention?
High ammonia and nitrite levels
If your aquarium has high levels of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates, it is very likely that your aquarium is not working properly.
You know that one of the main functions of the filter is to perform biological filtration, which removes harmful toxins from the aquarium. The water sucked in by the filter passes through the filter media where toxic compounds are processed into neutral ones.
If during routine water testing you notice that the level of these substances is high, you should consider what the cause is.
In addition to a poorly functioning filter, there may be many other reasons for high levels of these toxins.
Overfeeding, overstocking, rotting plants, dead fish can be the reason for high ammonia and nitrite levels.
You probably know that high levels of ammonia can also appear in an aquarium before cycling process ends.
In a healthy aquarium, the levels of ammonia and nitrites should always be zero, and nitrates should be between 5 and 10 ppm .
However, if you regularly change the water and remove the remains of dead plants and the water has an increased level of ammonia and nitrites, it may mean that there is something wrong with your filter.
You should take a closer look at filer work and paying attention to a few things.
Check to see if the motor is working
When the filter is turned on, it should emit a slight noise. Of course, the sound may vary depending on the brand filter you have.
However, listen to see if the engine is working properly or if there is a buzzing sound coming from it.
If you don’t hear any sound, check if the filter is plugged in. This may seem a bit funny, you’d be surprised how often it happens – the pump hasn’t been plugged in.
Also check if the power strip has not failed. If you have other devices connected to the strip, such as lighting, it is worth checking the socket the filter is plugged into. Sometimes it’s just the socket that burns out.
If the filter works, go to my next suggestions.
Put your hand on the pump and check if it is hot. Does the engine vibrate? If the motor head is hot, it may indicate a malfunction.
If you see that the water in the tank is standing, it is most likely that the filter is clogged.
This will be most obvious with hang-on-back filter, but you shouldn’t miss it with a canister filter either.
Listen to unusual sounds
Each filter works differently and after starting it, remember its sound. After some time, the sound produced by the filter may change and you will know when it is working properly.
Listen, there is no rattling or grinding. Any unusual engine sounds are a signal to you that something is happening with the filter.
Engine grinding may involve small particles such as sand, gravel, algae or plant matter.
The resistance from the build-up causes the impeller to spins even harder against the chamber of the filter. This makes you hear unusual sounds.
The intense action of the motor head causes vibrations which may also be audible.
Any sound that worries you may be a consequence of a clogged filter.
Check if the filter is sucking in water
Damaged filter may have reduced or no suction power. Check if the filter intake hose is sucking in water.
In the case of a canister filter, this will be very simple. All you need to do is put your hand to the filter inlet. If it is sucking up water properly, you will feel it on your hand.
You must of course also check the filter outlet. If you see water flowing from the outlet pipe, you are sure that the flow is correct.
Poor water flow is most often due to a clogged impeller, clogged pipes or a broken motor.
Why has your water filter stopped working?
Below I will explain to you the solution to the problems I wrote about earlier. So take a look at the reasons why your aquarium filter may not be working properly.
Clog of dirt and debris
This is one of the most common causes of filter malfunction. However, it is usually easy to remove.
Over time, filter starts to accumulates a lot of impurities. If you clean your filter regularly, you should not have any problems with its operation.
If not regularly, it may get clogged at some point. This especially applies to fish that poop a lot. You know what I mean.
When this happens, the water flow gets interrupted, which results in an increased amount of toxins in the aquarium.
Dirt and debris clogs can actually appear anywhere in the filter. Most often, however, dirt accumulates in the impeller and prevents it from spinning.
If the impeller is completely blocked, the filter will simply stop pumping water.
The solution to this problem is very simple.
First, prepare a bucket of water with a small amount of water from the aquarium. Then unplug and disassemble the entire filter and empty it of water.
First, clean the impeller located in the motorhead. You may need a screwdriver to remove the impeller.
However, you must remember that each filter is different. The rotor may be located in different places, so it is worth reading the instructions for a given brand.
In addition to cleaning the impeller, rinse all filter media and sponges in aquarium water. Remember not to use tap water on filter cartridges or sponges.
Chlorine in tap water can destroy beneficial bacteria in filter media.
Rotor or motor damaged
If cleaning the impeller and the entire filter first solves the problem, it may simply mean that the impeller or motorhead is damaged.
The motorhead is responsible for generating power in the filter and transmits it to the impeller. The impeller’s task is to suck water through the media and pump it back into the aquarium.
Lack of suction may be due to a damaged impeller or motorhead. If you have cleaned all the elements thoroughly, you should have no doubts.
Generally, it is worth connecting the filter and putting your hand on the pump. This way you will be able to check what may be happening with the filter.
If the pump is hot and vibrates, it may be stuck or clogged. When this happens, go back to the previous point.
However, if the pump is cool to the touch and does not vibrate, the motor is most likely burned out and should be replaced.
You can order the impeller or motorhead from the manufacturer. If you have difficulty finding the necessary items, you will simply have to buy a new filter.
In the case of a hang-on-back filter, you can follow a few simple steps and try to solve the problem yourself.
Unplug the filter and empty it of water, then unscrew the motor from the container. Clean the rotor and plug the motor to see if it rotates.
If it doesn’t start turning, the engine will burn out. If the problem is in the rotor, there is no problem in buying a new one. In the case of a broken engine, it is better to simply buy a new filter.
Sometimes the manufacturer provides a spare impeller for the filter. However, don’t worry if it doesn’t contain such an element.
Check online to see if you can purchase a separate item for your filter model.
The filter is not primed
This may seem a bit funny, but after cleaning the filter, you simply need to prime it.
Priming the filter is essentially the process of removing air from it by placing water inside it.
Depending on the filter you have, the method may be different. However, in most cases you have to do it manually.
If you do not fill the filter correctly and there is air left in it, it will increase the risk of engine burnout and shorten filter life.
The filter must be filled with water before starting the engine.
If you have a self-priming filter, you don’t really have to do anything. In the case of a no-priming filter, you must press the filling button several times, if there is one.
For example, the Eheim Classic canister filter does not have a prime button.
Damaged wires
Check if the device is receiving power. It may happen that the filter does not receive the appropriate amount of current.
Check your power strip. Sometimes individual sockets burn out. When this happens, it is worth trying another sockets if you have any doubts.
You can plug the filter to a different socket and check whether its operation is still the same.
Check for chewed or damaged wires or pins.
The problem of damaged wires is not that easy to solve unless you simply know what to do.
The problem regarding power strip is simple to resolve. All we have to do is replace them with new ones.
The situation is worse if the filter wires are damaged. In this case, the best solution is to simply buy a new filter.
How long can your fish survive without a filter?
When your filter breaks down, it might take some time to get a new one. You’ll need to pick out a replacement and wait for delivery.
Having a spare filter on hand is the best plan for situations like these.
So, how long can you go without a filter? Well, the shorter, the better.
It mainly depends on how big your tank is and how many fish you have in your fish tank.
Without a filter, the biggest problem is the lack of biological filtration. Mechanical filtration isn’t as crucial for your fish’s survival. But biological filtration is a must.
Bigger tanks hold more water, so it takes longer for the water to become harmful to your fish.
Plus, if your tank already has a good nitrogen cycle going, it’ll buy you some extra time.
That’s because there are helpful bacteria in the substrate that turn harmful stuff like ammonia into safer forms.
Those bacteria can’t work as efficiently without a filter, though. Depending on your tank’s size and how many fish you have, you should do water changes every 2-3 days to keep things safe.
And remember, controlling how much you feed your fish is a great way to keep nitrites in check, especially when you don’t have a filter.
You don’t have to skip meals, just give them a little less food than usual. That way, you’ll help prevent a buildup of harmful stuff in the water.
In conclusion
Solving technical problems is not necessarily the easiest thing.
However, I believe this guide helped you locate your problem.
If you have difficulties, it is worth asking an experienced person for help.
Meanwhile, if you have any questions, ask in the comments and I will help you.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
