All filters keep stopping?

[TheMoof]

Hello all! I'm brand new here and kinda new to the hobby and have a filter question!

I had to buy a new filter because my 20 gallon Aqueon filter gave up the ghost, and it would often stop and I would have to move the propeller to get it started again.

I replaced it with the same kind of filter, which within the hour stopped working and required that I move the propeller again. It kept getting harder and harder to get it to restart and frustrated, I got a different brand of filter - a top fin 20 gallon filter.

Now it's doing the same thing! I have to take the pump out and put it back in to start it again, and it does this around every two hours.

Am I doing something wrong? What is going on? Thank you for reading!

 

[BBradbury]

Hello Moof...

Honestly, motorized, mechanical filters are a waste of money and don't do much to keep the water clean. I suggest investing in a dual sponge filter. It works as well as anything and other than requiring a small air pump to run the sponge, you won't have any other expenses. You just need to remove and replace half the tank water every few days.

B

 

[m.j.gomez]

Hello all! I'm brand new here and kinda new to the hobby and have a filter question!

I had to buy a new filter because my 20 gallon Aqueon filter gave up the ghost, and it would often stop and I would have to move the propeller to get it started again.

I replaced it with the same kind of filter, which within the hour stopped working and required that I move the propeller again. It kept getting harder and harder to get it to restart and frustrated, I got a different brand of filter - a top fin 20 gallon filter.

Now it's doing the same thing! I have to take the pump out and put it back in to start it again, and it does this around every two hours.

Am I doing something wrong? What is going on? Thank you for reading!

Hello, is something else getting into filter besides food & muck? I've had filters stop due to bits of leaves, hair, floss from filter pad & sand. Impeller can be pulled, checked & cleaned. Maybe even try a prefilter sponge that goes over intake. Hope this helps!!!!!

 

[Delapool]

As above.

Mostly these are designed (or hopefully so) to be really reliable and a real shame to have them doing that.

Only add was is your tank water level up decently high. My father always thought pumps will push water a long way but have trouble pulling water up.

And a real stretch but I’m assuming no power fluctuations / issues.

 

[TheMoof]

I see what you mean! I finally got the filter to work but it stops periodically still. I think I'm going to invest in a sponge filter. Would that work okay for a goldfish?

 

[earhtmother]

I WOULDN'T *think* so as Goldfish are VERY heavy waste producers from what wverybody says