External Filter - Can It Overfill?

Hello
is there a possibility for an external water filter (below is the one I use) to begin malfunctioning and overfill, and spill the water outside the tank, on the floor?
We just put hardwood floor and my husband would "kill me" if I ruin the floor with my fish tanks

Thank you

 

Probably possible, but highly doubtful.

You can always go with a sponge filter if you are that worried about it, but..... then you have to get an air pump, which IMO is one of the most annoying sounds in the world haha!

Welcome to Fishlore!

 

The only way I can see it overflowing is

1) the filter cracked and leaked while the pump was still bringing in new water

2) something blocked the water from flowing back into the tank. The pump may continue to bring in water with no where to go but out the sides.

But any sort of other malfunction would typically mean the pump stops working, which would stop water from entering the filter at all

 

Probably possible, but highly doubtful.

You can always go with a sponge filter if you are that worried about it, but..... then you have to get an air pump, which IMO is one of the most annoying sounds in the world haha!

Welcome to Fishlore!

Thank you.
I know what you mean about the air pump. I have 2 more tanks ( 2.5 gal cookie jars) with 2 bettas. And I moved them in a different room because I could not work. The air pump is silent: phantom Cobalt Ultrasonic . But the bubbles in the tanks were driving me insane.

The only way I can see it overflowing is

1) the filter cracked and leaked while the pump was still bringing in new water

2) something blocked the water from flowing back into the tank. The pump may continue to bring in water with no where to go but out the sides.

But any sort of other malfunction would typically mean the pump stops working, which would stop water from entering the filter at all

Thank you.
I've been having this for over an year and it never had an issue.
One more question. How often should I change the internal filter? I have never done it so far.

Thank you.
I've been having this for over an year and it never had an issue.
One more question. How often should I change the internal filter? I have never done it so far.

do you mean the filter cartridge? I never change mine. Just swish them around in old tank water to get the gunk off. Switching cartridges completely will get rid of your beneficial bacteria and restart your cycle

 

You can probably test the filter by filling a cup or pitcher full of tank water and pouring it into the top of the filter behind the filter cartridge. Watch where the water goes when there is more coming in than can pass through the filter cartridge. In other words, you want to see what happens if the filter cartridge is clogged.

 

Hello
is there a possibility for an external water filter (below is the one I use) to begin malfunctioning and overfill, and spill the water outside the tank, on the floor?
We just put hardwood floor and my husband would "kill me" if I ruin the floor with my fish tanks

Thank you

Hi! I also have hardwood floors and no it cannot unless your tank starts tipping. Even if the pad gets clogged it won't fill up and spill out the back instead it will flow back out over the thbe that sucks the water up. Essentially the water will go in the filter, go up a little, and spill right back into the tank. The water level will bever reaxh the top of the filter or spill over unless its hanging horizontally

 

you can customize your filter media, here's the guide:

when replacing the factory cartridge, cut the fiber material off the plastic frame and stick it back in the filter with your new media to keep most of the BB.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...tream-aquaclear-and-other-hob-filters.385506/