How can u tell if your filtration system is overloaded?!?

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guppie13

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Mar 31, 2008
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The water isnt running through my filter its just running back over the suction side of my pump? I havce alot of fish in my aquarium and was just wondering if I did a more frequent water change would it help out my filtration system?
 
What kind of filter do you have?
 
In that article it said pwc 25% every 2 weeks or so? I just did one last week but it doesnt look like it would hurt anything to do another one? Would that be ok?
 
I think I know what you're talking about. If the water runs down the side where the intake tube is on and not down the outlet, then it is time to clean your filter. This happened to me too, but I got rid of the backflow like this: First, get a bowl of tank water and rinse the filter pad in said bowl. Next, take the whole filter apart and thoroughly clean the inside of the box with a paper towel. You might want to also clean the part where the tube goes into the filter and allows the impeller to pump water.

I hope this helps.
 
guppie13 said:
In that article it said pwc 25% every 2 weeks or so? I just did one last week but it doesnt look like it would hurt anything to do another one? Would that be ok?
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, the author of the article is I believe saying that every 2 weeks or so you should do filter maintenance - clean out the media as described. The PWC should however be 25% weekly, minimum, unless very heavily planted/lightly stocked in which case perhaps less is necessary. Basically whatever it takes to keep Nitrates below 40 ppm (I shoot for 20 ppm myself) at all times.

No FW aquarium fish ever died or took ill from too much water changes ;)
 
I vote for weekly water changes....and a good filter cleaning by the sounds of it.
 
A water change never hurt anyone. Exactly how many fish and of what type do you have in what size aquarium?
 
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