Sponge Filter Stopped Working

Hello ladies and gentlemen.
I have a 5 gallon tank that I am using to raise 2 corydora fry.
It has a heater and a sponge filter. This morning the filter was running, but when I got home tonight it wasn't. I thought the air pump stopped working, but no, it is working fine. I disconnected the airline and blew through it and bubbles came out of the filter, but when I plug the airline no bubbles come out of the filter.
What could it be? Anybody had this happen?
Thanks
Joe

 

Sometimes they just break. Have you been turning it off/unplugging it during water changes? That can make them burn out.

 

Either the air inlet of the sponge filter is becoming too clogged, or your air pump isn't working right anymore. Do you feel any air come out of the air pump?

 

Pull the sponge apart. Rinse everything in dechlorinated water. Scrub the plastic pieces to make sure nothing is clogged. Just gently rinse the sponge part and put it back together. See if that helps.

I always keep a couple extra sponges on hand, just in case I need them. They are cheaper when you buy a pack of 2-4.

 

Thank you for your replies.
The filter has been running since December 16, I added the Corydora fry a few days later. I havw been doing water changes, but I have never unplugged the filter (air pump) ans the water level never went below it.
The air pump is making the normal noise, its vibrating and I feel air coming out of it. When I unplug the filter from the line and put the line in the water, bubbles come out.

Pull the sponge apart. Rinse everything in dechlorinated water. Scrub the plastic pieces to make sure nothing is clogged. Just gently rinse the sponge part and put it back together. See if that helps.

I always keep a couple extra sponges on hand, just in case I need them. They are cheaper when you buy a pack of 2-4.

I will do that this afternoon, see if I can get it to work. If not, then I will buy more filters and keep them handy.

Thank you all for your opinions and suggestions.

Joe

 

Update:
Before I left for work I went and checked the pump, it was still making noise, vibrating. I unplugged the air line from the pump and I felt the air. I unpluggled the filter and plugged an air stone and there was no air coming out either. I unplugged the air stone and no air coming out, changed the air line and no air came out either. As I pulled the air line up bubbles started coming out (barely any) when the tip of the airline was closer to the water line, but when I sumerged it closer to the bottom, air stopped. So it seems the pump lost its power. It is blowing air, just not strong enough.

I am getting a replacement pump on Saturday.

 

The pump and top of the hose have to be above the water line or they can't pump air properly. Don't worry, I've got a shoddy one too- it's supposed to be a dual pump but only one side works properly. XD

 

Sad news: I got home and found one of the fry dead

I hope the other one makes it.

The pump and top of the hose have to be above the water line or they can't pump air properly. Don't worry, I've got a shoddy one too- it's supposed to be a dual pump but only one side works properly. XD

Tried that, but it didn't work either.

 

They were born 7 weeks ago, btw.