Help with filter. D:

[dpenguinfish]

Ok, so I was finished putting sand in my tank and the water was super cloudy with all the fine sand in the water. So someone decided it was a good Idea to turn on the filter to clear up the tank, and the filter stopped working. Do you know if this could be fixed, and if so, how? D:

The filter is a Top Fin Power filter rated thirty gallons.

 

[Rbishop]

Have you tried taking it off and giving it a good flush after it is disassembled and all media rinsed clear?

 

[TheFishBoss97]

That happened to me once with my fine eco-complete, the filter started rattling and then stopped working. This is what I did.

-unplugged filter and took everything(filter, intake, media, etc.) with some brushes to where I clean the filter out.
-I then removed all parts from filter
-washed/brushed each part of filter to remove fine sand
-took empty filter casing and poked a cleaning brush in the place where the impeller goes, and took out all gravel/sand
-dryed filter casing, and shook it to remove any more gravel/sand
-shook all other parts of filter
-washed everything again
-dryed everything again
-let it sit for 15 min
-then i shook it out for the last time
-put it back on and started it up

*note, I didn't wash media, or dry media at all.

 

[digitalphrage]

I doubt it's broken permanently. Most of the filters that hang over the back like that use magnetic propulsion to power the water flow.

So yeah, take the filter box off the tank. Rinse the filter media (in aged chlorine/chloramine free water) and rinse the box out really well. Disassemble all the little parts and run them under the tap for a moment. Flush out the filter box. Most likely this will solve your problem.

I suppose there's an off chance the thing is broken, but it's unlikely.

 

[platytudes]

As everyone has said, disassemble the filter and rinse it well - it probably just has sand trapped in the impeller. You can use a flocculant (such as Crystal Clear: http://www.petco.com/product/105344/Aquarium-Products-Crystal-Clear-Water-Clarifier.aspx) to bind the small particles of sand into larger particles, reducing the cloudiness of your water. It won't affect water chemistry.

I personally hate those Petsmart filters, so loud and clunky. They are due for a redesign, that's for sure!

 

[Khemul]

While taking it apart can't hurt, all that is generally needed to reset and fix a lockup is to fully pull out and put back in the impeller itself. That is what gets locked up. Anything else is just preventing a repeat but not always needed.

 

[TheFishBoss97]

^yeah, that is true, but if u don't clean the other filter parts, the old sand could jam/stop the impeller again

 

[dpenguinfish]

Ok. Thank you all. I'll fix it this weekend because the fish tank is at my mom's house.