Do you turn off the filter during a water change

Do you turn off your filter during water changes?

  • Yes--I turn it off

    Votes: 50 48.5%

  • No--I leave it on

    Votes: 53 51.5%
  • Total voters
    103
lovemybarbs

lovemybarbs

AC Members
Dec 23, 2006
1,249
0
0
54
Midwest
My filter has been making a strange noise for hours after I plug it back in during water changes. If the intake tube is below the surface of the water, I think it is safe to leave it on, but I haven't tried it yet. I plan to today.

Mine is a HOB and I rinse the filter cartridges every time I change the water.

What do you do????
 
yes because my tube is so short... it wouldnt work after i do a WC
 
as long as the water is still flowing, i'd leave the filter running. if the water level is going to go down below the intake tube, then definitely turn it off .. you don't want to run a 'dry' filter.

making noise after you plug it back in could be many things. what kind of filter is it? is it running/pumping water but just noisy?
 
I have a Emperor 400. I took it apart twice and the water is still flowing. I can't figure it out. It goes away after a few hours. Sometimes to get it to go away, I fire it back up a couple of times. The intake tube is about 6.5 inches long on a 55 gallon long.
 
If it is a growling noise from the impeller, it is most likely air bubbles....

I have heard that myself...
Usually if you unplug and plug the power back in a couple of times it will force the trapped air out more quickly.
 
I have to shut mine down or air starts shooting through my aquarium. In another tank, the pump would be running without water so that needs to be shut down as well.
 
I leave it on as long the intake is below the water level. I have an eheim and the intake is a little under a foot and a half away from the top of the tank. Only during HUGE water changes would I have to turn it off. As long as it can run wet, why not leave it on? It can help remove some of the debris kicked into the water column during a water change.
 
I wonder what will happen when I take the cartridges out when it is running. :huh:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom