Broke my filter :( - Aquarium Advice

cghill · 04-02-2006, 06:36 PM

Hi all,
I have a RenaFilstar XP1 (it came with the tank when I bought it). I was cleaning it out today, and as I brought it downstairs it slipped out and the case shattered. Basically, I need to know how long the fish can survive without a filter. I already ordered a new case since that was the only part that was broken. Hopefully I will get it before the end of the week, but in case I don't I need to know if there is anything I need to do to keep my fish alive. Thanks!

**Fishyfanatic** · 04-02-2006, 06:39 PM

I would put the media (ceramic rings, sponge, etc) in a bag in the tank so it stays wet and doesn't die off. You may want to do water changes every few days. Do you have a powerhead?

Lonewolfblue · 04-02-2006, 06:40 PM

If the tank is a cycled tank, then you might only need to put in a small powerhead for circulation, as the gravel should be enough, unless you have lots of fish. Even an air wand will provide circulation as well. How big is the tank and how many fish? And how long has the tank been running?, And as FishyFanatic said, put the media in a filter bag or a new pantyhose sock or something, and keep it in the tank.

PsiPro · 04-02-2006, 06:49 PM

If you dont have a powerhead use a airstone like was said above, those create a strong current if turned on all the way.

cghill · 04-02-2006, 06:52 PM

I don't have a power head. I've had the aquarium for almost 2 years, and it was an active aquarium before I bought it so I don't know exactly how long its been running. It is a 40 gallon tank that may be slightly overstocked (it came that way) with a few plants. Unfortunately Anacharis is the only plant I can keep looking semi-healthy. The fish are actually very healthy and doing very well from what I can tell. I have an air pump thingy in the aquarium right now make sure there is oxygen in the water for the fish (is this what an air wand is?). I also just put the filter media in the tank.

**Fishyfanatic** · 04-02-2006, 06:58 PM

A bubble wand is a longer air stone that spreads the air out further. Basically you need to have more current in the tank to prevent dead areas. A bubble want is a good alternative to a power head and is cheaper.

Since the tank is overstocked you may want to do water changes every day of about 25%, just to be sure.

Lonewolfblue · 04-02-2006, 07:05 PM

If you can get to a pet store, I would recommend either getting a small powerhead, or a minimum of a 12 inch bubble wand/air stone. That way you are spreading out the current. And place it centered in the back of the tank.

cghill · 04-02-2006, 07:08 PM

I don't think any pet stores are open right now, but I'll try to pick one up tomorrow.

Lonewolfblue · 04-02-2006, 07:12 PM

Actually, the pet stores here are open til 5pm on Sundays. You could try calling one to see if they are open. I wouldn't waste a trip, just in case.

cghill · 04-02-2006, 08:15 PM

I started going through all the stuff that came with the aquarium and found a 12 inch air stone. I hooked it up, and now its in the back of my aquarium

04-02-2006, 06:36 PM	#1
cghill Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 17	Broke my filter :( Hi all, I have a RenaFilstar XP1 (it came with the tank when I bought it). I was cleaning it out today, and as I brought it downstairs it slipped out and the case shattered. Basically, I need to know how long the fish can survive without a filter. I already ordered a new case since that was the only part that was broken. Hopefully I will get it before the end of the week, but in case I don't I need to know if there is anything I need to do to keep my fish alive. Thanks!

04-02-2006, 06:39 PM	#2
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,267 Images: 15	I would put the media (ceramic rings, sponge, etc) in a bag in the tank so it stays wet and doesn't die off. You may want to do water changes every few days. Do you have a powerhead? __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

04-02-2006, 06:40 PM	#3
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	If the tank is a cycled tank, then you might only need to put in a small powerhead for circulation, as the gravel should be enough, unless you have lots of fish. Even an air wand will provide circulation as well. How big is the tank and how many fish? And how long has the tank been running?, And as FishyFanatic said, put the media in a filter bag or a new pantyhose sock or something, and keep it in the tank. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

04-02-2006, 06:49 PM	#4
PsiPro Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: FL Posts: 546 Images: 2	If you dont have a powerhead use a airstone like was said above, those create a strong current if turned on all the way. __________________ The Aquarium Wiki! Affordable Webhosting by Psi Productions

04-02-2006, 06:58 PM	#6
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,267 Images: 15	A bubble wand is a longer air stone that spreads the air out further. Basically you need to have more current in the tank to prevent dead areas. A bubble want is a good alternative to a power head and is cheaper. Since the tank is overstocked you may want to do water changes every day of about 25%, just to be sure. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

04-02-2006, 06:52 PM	#5
cghill Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 17	I don't have a power head. I've had the aquarium for almost 2 years, and it was an active aquarium before I bought it so I don't know exactly how long its been running. It is a 40 gallon tank that may be slightly overstocked (it came that way) with a few plants. Unfortunately Anacharis is the only plant I can keep looking semi-healthy. The fish are actually very healthy and doing very well from what I can tell. I have an air pump thingy in the aquarium right now make sure there is oxygen in the water for the fish (is this what an air wand is?). I also just put the filter media in the tank.

04-02-2006, 07:05 PM	#7
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	If you can get to a pet store, I would recommend either getting a small powerhead, or a minimum of a 12 inch bubble wand/air stone. That way you are spreading out the current. And place it centered in the back of the tank. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

04-02-2006, 07:08 PM	#8
cghill Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 17	I don't think any pet stores are open right now, but I'll try to pick one up tomorrow.

04-02-2006, 07:12 PM	#9
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	Actually, the pet stores here are open til 5pm on Sundays. You could try calling one to see if they are open. I wouldn't waste a trip, just in case. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

04-02-2006, 08:15 PM	#10
cghill Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 17	I started going through all the stuff that came with the aquarium and found a 12 inch air stone. I hooked it up, and now its in the back of my aquarium

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