Author Topic: Pump problem (Read 12538 times) 20 replies

RachelN76 · « **on:** April 02, 2016, 05:27:52 PM »

Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone can help me, because I'm stumped.

Came home from the supermarket to find the pump in the fish tank making a funny noise.
We have a small tank with internal filter and pump.

We clean it on a weekend anyway, so we decided to do that.

When I looked into the compartment at the back where the pump is, the water level was really low (maybe 4" lower than the rest of the tank). Hence the funny noise, because the pump wasn't properly submerged.

So we switched it off, took it out, cleaned it, cleaned the other bits as usual, and changed the water. Checked the pump out of the tank, seems to be working fine as far as I can tell. Sucking water in, and spitting it out. I don't see any way I can take the actual pump apart to clean inside.

Put it back in the tank. Pumping fine, but it still sucks the water level down in that little compartment. Water level drops until pump isn't under water, then (I think) pump stops, water level rises, pump starts, water goes down etc etc.

Any idea anyone?

Paddyc · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2016, 05:58:35 PM »

A few questions...

Is the filter is in a compartment in a corner of the tank?
How does water from the tank get into the compartment? Is there a blockage?

RachelN76 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2016, 07:04:21 PM »

It's an aqua one tank, so there's a section in the middle of the back that's spilt into two.
Left hand side has filters in it, right hand side has pump and heater.

That was my first thought as well, that there was a blockage there. But we've cleaned the filters, and I've tried it without the filters and it still does the same.

As far as I can work out, water goes through the left hand side (pulled by the pump), through the filters, into the right hand compartment, and then out into the main body of the tank via the pump outflow.

Paddyc · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2016, 07:48:59 PM »

I'm unfamiliar with this setup but had a quick Google to get an idea. Is the water sent to the filter via a suction tube or is it an overflow? I saw two or three different styles and can't be certain precisely how the filter /pump system is fed with tank water.

Is your tank water level lower than normal? It just sounds as if the supply from the pump is seriously lagging behind its demand...

RachelN76 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2016, 08:11:08 PM »

Thanks for taking time to help.
There's no pipe, so I think it's overflow. Or sucked through from the bottom of the filter area?

Tank water is where it normally is. There's a 'minimum' line on the tank, maybe about 2cm from the top. We usually keep it just a fraction above this line.

But yes, what you said, makes sense. That supply of water is less than demand.

Ah. Just had an idea about a bit that I didn't clean. The inside of the filter compartment. If the water flows through there, then maybe something at the bottom of that is all gunked up.

Off to have a look.... I'll report back.

Paddyc · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2016, 08:59:29 PM »

Hoping it is a simple fix... It definitely sounds like your pump is healthy enough it's just the flow of water into it that's being restricted somehow

Cod_only_knows · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2016, 09:45:00 PM »

I have this tank. It's a really annoying feature of what is a great tank. The issue can be solved quite easily:

1. Turn the pump upside down if you haven't already. The flow lever will now be on the top.
2. Clean your filter sponge. A dirty sponge can clog an slow water flow. I'd do this during a water change using the old tank water.
3. Make sure your water level is topped up. I usually have the water about halfway up the inlet.

Hope this helps.

Paddyc · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2016, 09:52:17 PM »

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I was hoping someone with proper experience would pop up. This is what makes the forum great

RachelN76 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2016, 10:13:30 PM »

Thank you guys!

Unfortunately I only saw Cods response after I'd started a mega clean.

I should also have mentioned, that I added some extra (or rather alternative) filter media, after I got fed up with them clogging.

May not have been my brightest move! It had all got clogged and gunky at the bottom of the filter area, and then I couldn't get it all out.

So we have just finished Operation Major Tank Clean! It's all been cleaned, de-gunked, and the filter media is now in easy to remove bags. There's good free flow of water, and all is well. I'm just hoping that I haven't disturbed too much all in one go, and that the fish can cope. We will be keeping a very close eye on the water testing over the next few days/weeks, and probably do lots of small water changes.

Hubby and I are now discussing whether the fish look happy, cross or scared.

He thinks they look happier, I think they look a bit scared and lost.

Paddyc · « **Reply #9 on:** April 02, 2016, 10:24:01 PM »

If you de-gunked the media in tank water and weren't too vigorous, you'll be fine. Or rather the bacteria - hence the FISH - will be fine. Glad you got to the bottom of it. The bags are a brilliant improvement to your tank. Cleaning in the future will be very easy and quick.

Any pics of your tank? We love pics

#picsoritdidnthappen

RachelN76 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2016, 06:05:14 PM »

RachelN76 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2016, 06:08:34 PM »

Not the best picture, and it looks a bit bare at the moment because our big plant was one casualty the the Big Clean.

We only have 4 neons and 1 cory at the moment because firstly it's only a teeny tank, and secondly, we had some water problems, and didn't want to replace anything else until they were sorted.

Once everything has settled down I'd like to get a couple more neons to get us back up to 6-7, and another cory. I know they like to be in bigger groups, but I don't think the tank will take it.

Although I have been looking at bigger tanks......

RachelN76 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 03, 2016, 06:09:34 PM »

Oh and the bits of sponge sticking out of the top are to stop them jumping out of the holes! My hubby cut those pieces, that's why they don't fit and look kind of crazy!

Paddyc · « **Reply #13 on:** April 03, 2016, 08:28:38 PM »

Quote from: RachelN76 on April 03, 2016, 06:08:34 PM

We only have 4 neons and 1 cory at the moment

Erm... Are you positive? Or are the other 3 neons and cory hiding in the decor? I'm probably being blind

It's a smart wee tank... It's no the size, it's what you do with it

Littlefish · « **Reply #14 on:** April 03, 2016, 08:39:34 PM »

Trust a man to make a comment about size.

#notthatsmallreally

Paddyc · « **Reply #15 on:** April 03, 2016, 09:04:07 PM »

Quote from: Littlefish on April 03, 2016, 08:39:34 PM

Trust a man to make a comment about size.

#notthatsmallreally

Just to clarify.....

Quote from: RachelN76 on April 03, 2016, 06:08:34 PM

it's only a teeny tank...

...Although I have been looking at bigger tanks......

She said it first

Littlefish · « **Reply #16 on:** April 03, 2016, 09:09:24 PM »

RachelN76 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2016, 06:30:59 PM »

Quote from: Paddyc on April 03, 2016, 08:28:38 PM

Quote from: RachelN76 on April 03, 2016, 06:08:34 PM
We only have 4 neons and 1 cory at the moment

Erm... Are you positive? Or are the other 3 neons and cory hiding in the decor? I'm probably being blind

It's a smart wee tank... It's no the size, it's what you do with it

They're in there! Just sulking!

And all is still good. I think we will go plant shopping this weekend because it looks really bare in there!

Richard W · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2016, 06:38:50 PM »

Looking at the substrate you have there, I think you'd have problems in getting plants to grow. They need something more substantial. Your best bet would probably be to go for Java fern, Anubias or hornwort which can all be tied onto things and don't have their roots in the substrate. But they all grow better attached to bogwood than to other things. Getting plants to grow can be more difficult than keeping the fish, if you don't give them the correct conditions. Plastic or silk (better looking but more expensive) might be better for decoration, though they don't have any other beneficial effects on the tank.

RachelN76 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 09, 2016, 04:50:48 PM »

Quote from: Richard W on April 08, 2016, 06:38:50 PM

Looking at the substrate you have there, I think you'd have problems in getting plants to grow. They need something more substantial. Your best bet would probably be to go for Java fern, Anubias or hornwort which can all be tied onto things and don't have their roots in the substrate. But they all grow better attached to bogwood than to other things. Getting plants to grow can be more difficult than keeping the fish, if you don't give them the correct conditions. Plastic or silk (better looking but more expensive) might be better for decoration, though they don't have any other beneficial effects on the tank.

Thanks for the advice. I didn't know all about plants when I fist got the tank, and I let the children choose all the decor - hence the bright green gravel and pirate shipwreck theme!

So maybe a year ago I decided to get a plant, and see what would happen, I thought it probably won't last any longer than our house plants do, but it will be nice for the fish, and when it dies I'll just replace it.

Well, it went absolutely bonkers. Completely took over, needed trimming constantly. I have no idea how it did this, because its roots weren't in anything, and it still had the metal clip on it that it came with!! It only died in the end when we uprooted it and manhandled it out of the tank!!

If (or when) we get a bigger tank, I definitely want to get the substrate right, because I just LOVE the look of the natural style, heavily planted tanks. (And the kinds can go mad with SpongeBob accessories in the little one, and some poor Betta can try to navigate around them!

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