Have to change power filter

A few weeks ago my power went out while I was at work. My filter was off several hours and whenever the power came back on, it couldn't Self start. Ever since then, when I turn it off to do my water changes, it takes 20 to 30 minutes to get it restarted. Today, it made me think it wasn't going to work anymore, but then it did start. So, I broke down and ordered a new one. Since my tank has been running for 11 weeks, if I just put my old filter media into my new filter, will it instantly cycle my tank? And will my 10 cherry barbs be fine?

 

Should be absolutely fine - just move over as much of your existing media as you can.

 

Yes that will okay. As long as your tank/ media was cycled it should be all good. Just do a couple of water tests in case of an ammonia spike, if that does happen which I don't think it will. Dose some seachem prime to neutralise any ammonia. You could even add some seachem stability bacteria to help.

 

What kind of filter do you have that would not start back up? If its a HOB I have heard this multiple times. I have the Aquaclears on two tanks and they indeed will start right back up if you have sufficient water in the tank.
Once the syphon is lost, the filter still can work. But it takes more work to get it going again.
Unplug your filter and then plug it back in and see.

 

Maybe the impeller just needs to be removed and the housing cleaned. Even without water the impeller should always spin. If it’s spinning and no water flow try pouring some water in the top, may just need a prime.

 

What kind of filter do you have that would not start back up? If its a HOB I have heard this multiple times. I have the Aquaclears on two tanks and they indeed will start right back up if you have sufficient water in the tank.
Once the syphon is lost, the filter still can work. But it takes more work to get it going again.
Unplug your filter and then plug it back in and see.

It's a Top Fin that came with the aquarium kit.

 

Hey SMurray the answer written in post #5 is worth checking out.

Cleaning the hole the impeller spins in and the top and bottom of the impeller shaft may be necessary?
A human hair is all it takes to tangle the impeller slightly.

ALL filters are made in such a way as to be able to remove the impeller without tools. If your fingers are large a pair of needle nose pliers may be needed to pull the impeller out of its hole. Only the power of the magnet holds it in place.

 

Hey SMurray the answer written in post #5 is worth checking out.

Cleaning the hole the impeller spins in and the top and bottom of the impeller shaft may be necessary?
A human hair is all it takes to tangle the impeller slightly.

ALL filters are made in such a way as to be able to remove the impeller without tools. If your fingers are large a pair of needle nose pliers may be needed to pull the impeller out of its hole. Only the power of the magnet holds it in place.

I'm not exactly sure where the impeller is, but I will check it out before I change the filter. I may change it anyway because I don't like the fact that it will not self-start in the event of a power outage. I think it'd be best to have one that will.

 

I forgot to mention a Q tip / cotton wool bud is handy to clean the hole the bushings sit in . When you pull the impeller out you may find a bushing mounted on each end of the steel shaft of the impeller.

There is ever likely hood that a pest snail or similar is spinning around with the blades of the impeller
constantly. Only when the power is off does it fall down and jamb .

 

Watch when you remove the impeller, there is a bushing at each end, don’t lose them. Look down in the top of the filter right where the inlet tube comes up, the impeller should be in the deepest cavity there. Clean up the impeller and use a small piece of scotchbrite or small brush in the I.D. Of the cavity. Pretty small tolerances there and may have some buildup there. They’re actually pretty reliable.