Not sure how to fix a filter issue

I've had this HOB filter running on my 10 gallon for about seven months, and I've had this particular cartridge in it for probably a couple months. Originally, the filter current was relatively strong. Now, there is barely any water movement coming through. So if I'm not mistaken, this means the intake isn't taking up very much water, and that's why my water and substrate hasn't been very clean lately, despite regular water changes and gravel vacs (10-20% every week), right? I just washed the extra gunk out of the cartridge but it didn't seem to help. What is wrong with my filter, and how should I fix it? If I have to get a new one, I would want to get one with more power so that it sucks up waste better than this one (despite regular cleaning as mentioned, the substrate seems constantly dirtier than should be), but is increasing current the only way to do this? I have a betta and so I don't want anything that will push him around- I could mitigate the outflow with plants or a plastic bottle but would this also hamper the filters ability to remove particulate from the water? It seems like to get filtration good enough to keep the water really clean, I would have to let the current disturb the top of the water a heck of a lot.

I look forward to being enlightened and thanks in advance!

Note: I can't remember the type of filter it is off the top of my head, and I'm not in a position to check at the moment, but I can determine it at a later point if absolutely necessary.

 

it would help to know what kinda filter it is. did you clean the impeller very well? that's where most problems occur. aqua clear filters by hagen are good filters that have adjustments on them to help control water flow. if you need to buy one.

 

Does the water bypass and overflow around the filter media or is it that the filter is not pulling enough water through it?

I'd completely tear down the filter, clean the basket/screen at the end of the intake to make sure it isn't plugged and remove the impeller and use a brush to clean its housing. This should help to return the filter to its original water movement. If not, something could be wrong with the filter.

 

Hi, thanks for the suggestions. I will try doing a full breakdown and cleaning of the filter tonight, hopefully that works. It looks like the water just isn't able to flow through the cartridge, as I lifted it up a little and more water started flowing out but a lot of "gunk" also shot out as well. Could it be that the cartridge is falling apart already? Hopefully this will be solved by the thorough cleaning. I'm sure I'll keep this thread updated

Also, it's a TopFin 10 filter.

Thanks!

Edit: Update: I scrubbed out the gunk in the filter (I feel bad cause I didn't even know it was in there!) and the flow seems better than before. The real test will be if it's still working well tomorrow morning, and if the suspended matter in the water column gets eliminated.

 

Bumping this back up as I've had a new development.

I cleaned the filter and there was a lot of dark brown sticky muck that came out (yuck). It started working well again after that. However, that was about two and a half weeks ago. I am not currently living with this tank but my boyfriend said he noticed the filter flow had stopped again. He looked in it and was able to pull some more mucky stuff out of that, even though I am sure I got all of it when I cleaned two weeks ago. He didn't get as much as I had, but what he removed did improve the flow considerably again.

So I have a few questions... is this normal for a filter that is six months old? Are we gonna just have to clean it out every two weeks or so (how often do you guys clean your filter parts?), or is this not normal and so we need to get a new filter? If it's not normal, what is causing it? (I mean, I assume it's fish waste, but why is it clogging the filter so severely?)

Thanks for any light you guys can shed

 

I don't have any flow problems, but I clean everything, box, media, intake, in the old tank water every time I do a water change, so about once a week or every other week for the box, etc. I haven't had any flow problems, but I do get a buildup in the box that tends to get spit back out into my tank. Annoying after taking the time to clean it.

 

That has been happening in this tank too. I guess I will make the filter cleaning a part of our regular maintenance then- I was worried our filter was broken, I guess I knew we should clean it sometimes but I thought every six months or something, haha. Once a week it is! Thank you

 

Is this a HOB filter? They need more maintenance than a canister.

My HOB filters get a quick rinse of the media with every water change. I only clean the intake tubes once or twice a year. And never rinse the filter box. With proper filter maintenance the little bits on the box itself do not need cleaned as that is part of your bacterial colony.

Canisters are rinsed when the flow is reduced. I have a couple of very old Magnum 350s that need the media rinsed every other week. If not, then the water flow becomes a trickle. This is also in my planted tank so there is plant debris that gets caught in the intake tube baskets. These are cleaned as needed, sometimes twice a week if the fish are particularly destructive.

And I have a Rena XP3 on another non-planted tank that the media is rinsed every 3-4 months, and only when needed.

As you are noticing a large buildup in only a couple of weeks I wonder if your filter is too small for your tank. Manufacturers love to over estimate the abilities of their products. A perfect example of this is my Rena XP3 filter. According to the manufacturer it is rated for a 180G tank. I have it PLUS an AquaClear 110 on a 125G tank.

 

Hi, yes it is a HOB, sorry if I didn't mention that. I think all that build up might be coming from the fact that it is a filter from one of those pre-assembled kits as well as that I have a BN in there, which I know produces a lot of waste. I will hopefully be getting a bigger tank for my birthday (cross your fingers!) and then the tank will just have the betta. Maybe that will cut down on the buildup.

Thank you for the response I will continue to keep a close eye on it (or get my boyfriend to, he lives with it and I don't).