Aquanano 40 Noisy Pump...SOS ColinB!

Hi there Colin (I know he has this tank but words of wisdom from anyone are most welcome!)

I'm having a problem with my pump. It was very noisy when I first put it and I read somewhere that turning it upside down works - it did! And all was peaceful.... until this morning. The pump is blowing lots of little air bubbles into the water, which for one thing makes the water look quite murky.

I have also noticed that the water level in the pump/filter section is a few cm lower than in the tank so the top of the pump (or bottom now it's upside down) is above the water. If I try to top it up so the water covers the pump, the noise stops but the water level goes back down within a few seconds, and the pump starts making a noise again.

The weird thing is that it was OK for weeks - no noise issues. I can't work out what has changed except that yesterday I put in some plants and replace some of the water because a lot of grot from the plants got into the water. Could the muck from the plants be blocking the filter in some way and stopping the flow?

I haven't done any of the adaptations you suggested yet, and I haven't put any extras in the filter either.

Any ideas?
Thanks

It could be an idea to take the pump out and strip it down - it pulls apart so you don't need any tools. Pull the impellor out and use a cotton bud to clean up inside the impellor housing.

The water level in the pump section will always be a bit lower than the main tank (mine's about 1cm down, but it varies) as it's pumps out faster than it draws in, until the extra water head can push the water through the filter and balance the in/out volumes.

I find that it's best to have the pump the right way up, but tilted slightly over to one side, and enough water in the tank to cover the hole where the wire goes into the top of the filter. Even so, I get a quick splurge of bubbles every so often.

You could give the sponge a squeeze in some tank water if it looks a bit mucky on the top.

Hope this helps.

....and beware zombies! (That's my words of wisdom  )

How's it going Loubaa?
I was glad I read this earlier today as I had the same problem, which I sorted by doing as Colin said and topping up the water. Tank is now very full though!
Hoping to get some mature media from maidenhead aquatics tomorrow to kick start the cycle (and so I actually have some filter media! Did your tank come with it included?)

I had problems with my Aquanano 40 after a few weeks. I turned the pump upside down and reduced the flow rate. It's a powerful pump and almost forms a vortex in the tank when on full blast as I don't have the nozzle bit. I find even on a low setting the water circulation is great and I have no water quality issues whatsoever. You do need to keep the tank topped up but about an inch from the top works for me! Good luck!

Ive removed the carbon pad as the water level in the pump chamber kept dropping but even with that it then went on to drop by about 4 inches! Ive now got a little gap under the remaining filter pad will that be ok? ie will the water still be flowing through the filter enough do you think?