MaddieLynn

OK, I'm going to do my best to explain my situation to see if anyone has any ideas.

Right now I have 2 tanks, A (10 gallons) and B (5 gallons), which are inhabited, and one future tank, C (29 gallons), which will replace A when I have a stand.

I got the tank from my grandmother, who also gave me the filter. At that time I only had tank A, my mollies tank, which has a Tetra 5-15 gallon filter. I was planning on getting my sister a betta for her birthday and putting him in tank B, the 5 gallon. I was going to move the small filter on tank A to tank B and replace it with tank C's larger filter. So I put tank A's filter on tank B, and tank C's filter on tank A. I have had the larger filter's media in my cycled tank (A) for 2 weeks to allow bacteria to grow on it. So everything is fine and dandy until I see that the large filter is not working.

I tried pouring vinegar in it and soaking it for 30 minutes, and still the fan won't turn.

So, I moved the 5-15 gallon filter back to tank A (are you confused by now?), which left the betta tank temporarily filter-less. I'm going to get a small filter for it ASAP.

So everything is OK for now, BUT, when I set up my 29 gallon tank, I won't have enough filter power for it. I am debating 2 options:

#1: Buy another small filter, and the 29 gallon can have 2 small filters running.

#2: Buy a filter with enough power for the 29 gallon.

The first option wouldn't be as expensive, but, if I ever wanted to use my 10 gallon again (which I probably will), that would leave me with no filter on it, so I'd have to go out and either buy yet ANOTHER small filter or buy a filter large enough for the 29 gallon and move one of the small filters to the 10 gallon.

Which would leave me with a small filter that I had no use for.

Is anyone still following me one this? Or are you spinning in circles?

ANYWAYS, to get to the actual point, what would you do? It seems like a better long term option to just go ahead and buy the large filter in the first place, but I want some opinions first.

Jonah

Personally I would get a filter rated for 29gals but leave both running in the tank when you get it.

Then when you want to start the other tank up again you have a big headstart on your cycle

Dozey

I too would be looking for a larger filter for the 29g. I’m a strong believer in more is better (within reason). So for a 29 gallon I’d be looking for a filter rated for a 35 to 55 gallon tank.

cerianthus

Hope you did not throw out the old filter. What kind of filter?
If Whisper or other well known brand HOB, try the following.
Take out the impeller assembly to see if propeller (fan) is loose from magnet, i mean totally free spins from magnet. then use crazyglue to attach Magnet to propeller. Must be clean and dry before and dry it for while before testing.
Try inserting straightened out metal paper clip intoto where impeller sit sin (Motor Housing) while plugged in. If feels pull by magnetic filed then Motor Housing is still good.
If can not fix the impeller, contact the manufacturer, even if discontinued model, to request for replacement Impeller.
I was informed last week by well known Co that they will send me few repalcement partsfor free, even shipping, on discontinued models. I have not receive them yet but
I think It's worth a try.

Dozey

Although I can respect the idea of repairing a filter to save money, aside from replacing parts with new parts IMHO I would be leery about any other repair. The filter is a life line of aquariums. I would reframe from putting my fish’s lives in the hands of crazy glue. But that’s just my opinion.

prairielilly

I like the idea of two small filters on a larger tank, I've thought of trying it myself. However it sounds like it would be more advantageous for you to get a new filter powerful enough for your 29g. I'm always in favour of recycling the old and saving a few pennies - for some things. A filter's too important as was stated - I'd get new and the peace of mind that comes with it.