Emergency, filter stopped working

[KribensisLover1]

Hello! So my sicce whale canister filter was not working well if at all even tho my ammonia was 0 bc I’m so understocked (5 small pepper Cories in a 26 planted gallon rank

Well now the sicce is not working AT ALL since 7 pm last night (it’s now 11 am the next day) and sicce is going to overnight me a new canister but who knows when that will actually arrive (if they send it today or no). So what can I do? I can continue working on the filter and likely flooding the area (which is not ideal but fine as long as it works) but I am not very confident it’ll work. Should I remove the media and put it in the tank or squeeze it in? (I rinsed the sponges in tap water last night In Case they were clogged but I didn’t rinse the ceramic media). I DO have a AC 50 that MIGHT work with the media from the sicce that’s stayed somewhat wet and I can try that but the tank is so empty but if the AC doesn’t work what should I do? I know I should try the AC first but it does take time for replied on here of course and I’m in a panic! I can NOT want to purchase a new filter for 24 hours.

 

[ruud]

So now you have a Walstad tank. Pretty cool.

 

[KribensisLover1]

So now you have a Walstad tank. Pretty cool.

Yes except this is all I have for plants as of now based on what lived etc. when I go back to the far store I’ll get more but wanted to see what actually made it.

 

[ckarta]

5 pepper cories in a 26G should do fine without a filter for a couple of days. May be stop dosing fertilizers till the new filter arrives? And if it is kore than a couple of days a 5% water change daily should keep them good for a few days.

 

[KribensisLover1]

5 pepper cories in a 26G should do fine without a filter for a couple of days. May be stop dosing fertilizers till the new filter arrives? And if it is kore than a couple of days a 5% water change daily should keep them good for a few days.

Thank you!!

 

[TClare]

The fish will be fine don’t worry!

 

[tinylostwine]

You know in every aquarium i have at least one 3x3x3 cube sponge filter. In truth most aquariums can be run off a sponge filter but in those cases where i think i need a bit more it serves as a back up filter in case one dies

In truth that sicce seem to give you head aches and you might consider replacing with a fluval 207 or zoo med 30. Also you might examine the media basket - most filter shoudl only use sponge as their media (though there are very special short term period where you might want something else like peat, carbon, purgen but those alternative media are usually just for a short period to do something very specific.

 

[KribensisLover1]

You know in every aquarium i have at least one 3x3x3 cube sponge filter. In truth most aquariums can be run off a sponge filter but in those cases where i think i need a bit more it serves as a back up filter in case one dies

In truth that sicce seem to give you head aches and you might consider replacing with a fluval 207 or zoo med 30. Also you might examine the media basket - most filter shoudl only use sponge as their media (though there are very special short term period where you might want something else like peat, carbon, purgen but those alternative media are usually just for a short period to do something very specific.

Oh wow ty! This one has 2 ‘drawers.’
The lowest//bottom ‘drawer has a layer of two sponges: the bottom is heavy blue sponge with larger holes and the top is denser with smaller holes like a thin version of an AC sponge.
Then the second top ‘drawer’ has bio ceramic media. There’s actually no carbon included at all which I like. And that’s it.
Should I remove anything? I am attaching pics of the ‘drawers’ and the media.

I got this bc it was the only one that would fit in the space except an OASE bio that was so expensive— but if the new one is troublesome I’ll cut the shelf out to make room and get a fluval. I did just get a new fluval 307 for ny other tank. These are my first two canisters. I do think the last flooding was user error. The filter is difficult to figure out compared to the fluval and finicky but I do believe it was my fault.
However, the priming issue is not my fault and I don’t think the valves not fitting yesterday was. I shouldn’t have to mess with a two month old filter this often. I have five tiny fish and I put pantyhose over the intake (ornament to prevent CT’s from disappearing) so it doesn’t get clogged with plants. ANYWAY I’ll be really bummed if this doesn’t work either but I am learning. And if I wind up flooding with the fluval we can be sure it’s all user error hahahaha.

 

[A201]

All you really need is aeration that water movement provides.

Maybe install the AC 50. If you have useful filter media, stuff it in the media box. Things should be fine.

 

[tinylostwine]

Oh wow ty! This one has 2 ‘drawers.’
The lowest//bottom ‘drawer has a layer of two sponges: the bottom is heavy blue sponge with larger holes and the top is denser with smaller holes like a thin version of an AC sponge.
Then the second top ‘drawer’ has bio ceramic media. There’s actually no carbon included at all which I like. And that’s it.
Should I remove anything? I am attaching pics of the ‘drawers’ and the media.

At this point i wouldn't muck with the media and just get it working.

The zoo med should fit it is quite small - it is not a super strong filter and after 5 years i had one develop a leak after i cleaned it (it wouldn't seal); but they are fairly reliable and steady and tend to not clog after all they are designed for turtles.

 

[KribensisLover1]

I do want to give credit to sicce; the new one is expected by noon today so hats off to them.

The fish will be fine don’t worry!

Update; according to ups there is a mailing issue and they aren’t sure when the filter will arrive. I imagine tomorrow but who knows.
I did find the AC 50 but as you know the tank isn’t at my house and I am so sick. Like super duper sick. Will they be ok until tomorrow? They have had very little food bc of this.

 

[TClare]

I do want to give credit to sicce; the new one is expected by noon today so hats off to them.


Update; according to ups there is a mailing issue and they aren’t sure when the filter will arrive. I imagine tomorrow but who knows.
I did find the AC 50 but as you know the tank isn’t at my house and I am so sick. Like super duper sick. Will they be ok until tomorrow? They have had very little food bc of this.

They will be fine! Very few fish and some healthy plants in the tank, don't worry...