Fish tank filters are one of the key components to cultivating a healthy environment for your fish. After all, they remove harmful toxins and increase the water quality of your fish tank. Like with anything, though, you may encounter some functional issues with your fish tank filter – and it\u2019s essential to restore the functionality of your fish tank filter as soon as you can.<\/span><\/p>\n
What should you do if my fish tank filter stops working? <\/span>If your fish tank filter stops working, you should:<\/b><\/p>\n
To help you restore the functionality of your fish tank filter as soon as you can (and keep your fish healthy and happy), we\u2019ve compiled a complete guide on what to do if your fish tank filter is acting, well\u2026 fishy. Let\u2019s dive in.<\/span><\/p>\n
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If you walk past your fish tank one day and notice it\u2019s completely silent or not functioning as it should be, you might have a slight moment of panic. Your fish tank filter is what\u2019s responsible for maintaining a safe and healthy environment for your fish – and you don\u2019t want anything to happen to them!<\/span><\/p>\n
While realizing your fish tank filter has stopped working can be panic-inducing, you shouldn\u2019t fret too much. There are some common specific reasons for fish tank filters to stop working, and common fixes for those problems – and it usually doesn\u2019t take a genius or a mechanic to try them.<\/span><\/p>\n
Don\u2019t go adding a new fish tank filter to your online shopping cart right away, or worse – begin planning any fish funerals. Below are several panic-dissolving steps you can take when your fish tank filter stops working.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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Maybe you have a hunch your fish tank filter isn\u2019t working, but you\u2019re unsure. Perhaps you\u2019re a new fish tank owner and want to make sure you know how to tell when your fish tank filter isn\u2019t working in case it happens. <\/span>No matter the reason, it\u2019s important to know some of the telltale signs of a non-functional or less than functional fish tank filter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
If you think your fish tank filter isn\u2019t working – but want to be sure – you\u2019ll be able to tell by the amount of ammonia and nitrates in your tank\u2019s water. <\/span>You\u2019ll need a digital test or chemical test kit<\/a> to check out the ammonia and nitrate levels in your water. If there\u2019s an overly high level of ammonia and nitrates in your tank, then it\u2019s highly likely that your filter isn\u2019t working.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Fish tank filters need to be able to suck in water to begin the filtration process. Suction by your fish tank filter is often visible – and if you can\u2019t visibly see any suction, you should assume your fish tank filter isn\u2019t working.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Fish tank filters make noise, and the type of noise they make – or lack thereof – can be a reliable indicator of a non-functional filter.\u00a0<\/span>If your fish tank filter isn\u2019t making any sound at all, you can assume it\u2019s probably not working. On the other hand, if your filter is making a grinding sound, it\u2019s highly likely that it\u2019s not working correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n
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If you think there\u2019s a problem going on with your fish tank filter – or if it has just stopped working – you\u2019ll first need to apply your sleuthing skills and try to diagnose the problem. <\/span>By observing your fish tank filter, how it\u2019s working (or not working), and its characteristics, you can diagnose the problem. Once you\u2019ve diagnosed the problem, you can move on to troubleshooting options to try and fix it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
We mentioned that a fish tank filter with no suction is likely not working. As it turns out, loss of suction is a common issue with fish tank filters.\u00a0<\/span>Simply put, filters use parts called impellers and motors to operate. Impellers suck water from the tank into a tube, through the filter, and then back into the tank. The motor gives the impellers the power to carry out these functions.<\/span><\/p>\n
When a fish tank filter has no suction, it could be because of a few reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n
Suction issues often arise in fish tanks with a lot of sand, pebbles, and small rocks. These objects often get sucked into the filter and create a clog. <\/span>You\u2019ll be able to tell that your filter isn\u2019t suctioning correctly when you can\u2019t see it at all.<\/span><\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve determined that your fish tank filter has no suction, there are some simple steps you can take to try and fix the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n
When examining your fish tank filter upon realizing it has no suction, you may have noticed your filter has broken or missing impellers. <\/span>Maybe you haven\u2019t yet taken apart your fish tank filter, but suspect it could have broken or missing impellers. The impellers can be found by opening the main chamber of the filter.<\/span><\/p>\n
Broken or missing impellers is a serious issue because the impellers are responsible for sucking in the water to push it through the filtration process. This issue is commonly characterized by a loss of suction, but may also be characterized by a grinding noise from the filter unit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve got broken or missing impellers, you should first check the owner\u2019s manual and manufacturer\u2019s instructions for your fish tank filter to see if your filter came with replacement impellers. <\/span>If your filter came with replacement impellers, you can (and should) use those to restore the impellers to working condition. Don\u2019t use replacement impellers from another filter.<\/span><\/p>\n
No replacement impellers? Don\u2019t fret – you can either order replacement impellers or look into purchasing a replacement fish tank filter. It depends on your preference, timeline, and budget.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Flow rates are vital in fish tanks. Fish need to be able to have a flow rate that\u2019s good enough to provide water movement, but not so strong that they can\u2019t navigate the tank. <\/span>Different filters have different flow rates, and not all filters have adjustable flow rates (although some do). Flow rate is often not a problem with the filter itself, but a problem of having the wrong filter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
If the flow rate of your fish tank filter is too high or too low, the solution is relatively simple and straight to the point.<\/span><\/p>\n
So, one day your fish tank filter just up and stopped working. You wouldn\u2019t be the only one – it happens, and sometimes more often than you\u2019d think. <\/span>A fish tank filter can stop working for a wide variety of reasons, like:<\/span><\/p>\n
As previously mentioned, you\u2019ll know your fish tank filter has stopped working when there\u2019s no suction or flow in the water, no sounds are coming from the unit at all, and\/or there\u2019s a high level of ammonia and nitrates in your tank.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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The solution to a fish tank filter that just stopped working will depend on <\/span>why <\/span>the filter just stopped working. You may have to try several troubleshooting options before finding out the proper solution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Before you try any troubleshooting options at all, make sure you unplug the filter.\u00a0<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Next, try the following troubleshooting options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Look for Clogs<\/span><\/h5>\n
Take your fish tank filter apart just like mentioned above and search for clogs in the machinery. If you find a clog, clean it out, put your filter back together, and plug it back in. If it starts functioning again when it\u2019s plugged back in, great! You\u2019re probably in the clear.\u00a0<\/span>If not, move on to another troubleshooting method.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Leave it Unplugged for a While<\/span><\/h5>\n
Try unplugging your fish tank filter and leaving it unplugged for a few hours. A power surge or electrical problem could have been the reason it wasn\u2019t working. In that case, the filter could resume working when plugged back in after a while.\u00a0<\/span>If it doesn\u2019t, you can try another method.<\/span><\/p>\n
Check the Motor<\/span><\/h5>\n
Lastly, check the motor of your fish tank filter. Is it working <\/span>at all<\/span>? You\u2019ll be able to tell by a slight noise and vibration from your filter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Note: you should only test the functionality of your filter\u2019s motor while it\u2019s in the water. Running the motor dry <\/b>will<\/b> cause it to break and stop working (if it hasn\u2019t already).\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
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If your motor is working (but not properly) or not working at all, you can consider repairing the motor as per the manufacturer\u2019s instructions. However, fish tank filter motors can be complex and tricky to restore, not recommended. <\/span>If the motor of your fish tank filter is working improperly or has stopped working altogether, your safest bet is to replace your entire filter unit. This method is often less time consuming and more cost-effective, too <\/span>(source)<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Problem: Electrical Components<\/span><\/h4>\n
Issues with the electrical components of fish tank filters often arise. Electrical components, like the wires connecting the filter to a power source, the connecting pins, and even the power source itself can cause functionality problems. <\/span>The electrical components of a fish tank filter can have issues because of situations like:<\/span><\/p>\n
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- Unplugged wires<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Damaged wires and pins<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Power surge<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Failed or turned off the power strip\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Failed or turned off electrical outlet\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Solution: Electrical Components<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Thankfully, issues with electrical components are often easy to diagnose and easy to troubleshoot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Unplugged Wires<\/span><\/h5>\n
First, look for unplugged wires. Are all the wires plugged into the power source (power strip, electrical outlet, extension cord) and the fish tank filter? If not, you\u2019ve got an easy fix – plug all the wires back into the appropriate places!<\/span><\/p>\n
Damaged Wires and Pins<\/span><\/h5>\n
If that\u2019s not the issue, check for damage. Did another pet get a hold of the wires and damage them? Have wires been cut or crimped? Is there any other damage? If there is damage to any of the electrical components, fix what you can, and replace what you can\u2019t fix.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Failed or Turned off Power Strips or Electrical Outlets<\/span><\/h5>\n
An electrical issue can indeed come right from the power source – wherever you\u2019ve got your fish tank filter plugged into.<\/span><\/p>\n
Check the functionality of your electrical outlets, power strips, extension cords, or any other electrical components you might plug your filter into. The issue could simply be with the power source instead of your filter.\u00a0<\/span>You may have to plug your filter into a different (working) electrical outlet or power strip to restore function.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
#3 – When to Consider Replacing Your Fish Tank Filter<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Fish tank filters can run into some common functional issues. Thankfully, most of those issues have simple solutions.\u00a0<\/span>As you read a few times above, in some instances, you\u2019ll need to replace your entire fish tank filter instead of trying to fix it.\u00a0<\/span>When <\/span>exactly <\/span>should you consider replacing your fish tank filter instead of trying to fix the one you have?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
The Motor is Non-Functional or Burnt-Out<\/span><\/h4>\n
If you\u2019ve concluded that your fish tank filter\u2019s motor is completely non-functional or just burnt-out, it\u2019s time to replace your entire filter. <\/span>Repairing and replacing only the motor of a fish tank filter can be complex, expensive, and time-consuming. Not to mention, repairing a motor isn\u2019t always successful. In these instances, it\u2019s better and more cost-effective to consider buying an entirely new unit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Your Filter Has the Wrong Flow Rate<\/span><\/h4>\n
A proper flow rate is necessary for fish in a tank – they need to be able to swim against the flow and not be blown around by it.\u00a0<\/span>Some fish tank filters have adjustable flow rate settings – but not all of them do.<\/span> If your fish tank filter has a flow rate that\u2019s too low or too high and can\u2019t be adjusted, you\u2019ll need to get an entirely new unit or add another unit to your filter setup.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
If the flow rate of your filter is too high and can\u2019t be adjusted, you\u2019ll need to replace your filter with one that\u2019s lower-flow or adjustable. On the other hand, if the flow rate of your filter is too low, you can either get a new unit or add another unit to your existing filter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Broken or Missing Impellers With No Replacements<\/span><\/h4>\n
Impellers are a critical component of every fish tank filter – they suck in the water from the tank and push it through the filter. <\/span>If you\u2019ve determined that your filter has broken or missing impellers, and you don\u2019t have any replacements (or a way to order replacements), you\u2019ll want to consider getting an entirely new fish tank filter unit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Fish tank filters are essential for every fish tank setup. Like just about everything else out there, fish tank filters can have some functional issues. They may stop working completely.\u00a0<\/span>You don\u2019t need to let a non-working fish tank filter send you into a panic or make you start planning a fish funeral, though – because now you know some of the main functionality issues in fish tank filters and how to troubleshoot and repair them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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