Pre-filter on uptake pipe

[extremenewb]

Hi,

I own one of those aquariums with a in hood filter that uses an uptake pipe. I have replaced the stock strainer (ie plastic nob with long rectangular thin holes in it) with a sponge pre-filter. However, after a while, I noticed the amount of water goiing up the uptake pipe has significantly decreased.

I tried cleaning the pre-filter but it still hasn't helped increase the uptake. The main problem is I'm hearing a slight rattling noise which I'm guessing is the magnetic impellor moving without any water around it.

I guess maybe whereever there's smoke there's fire, so I just wanted to ask, would I be damaging my motor/impellor (whatever) if I left it like that? Though atm, I don't seem to see a problem with the stock one since its not a sand base so there's less chance of sand building up in there.

Cheers

 

[mattrox]

Maybe air trapped in the sponge got sucked up into the impellor? Try turning the filter off and and on a few times in a row to dislodge. If that doesn't work open up the filter and look.

 

[extremenewb]

Actually I know its a lack of water problem.

As I said before, but badly, I reverted bak to the old "strainer" and it doesn't make the noise anymore. The noise is coming from the fact that there's less water travelling up the pipe.

 

[TomK2]

wow. I wouldn't have thought a sponge could do that.

 

[mattrox]

Try a coarser sponge..... I use one out of a rena internal powerfilter. It fits the tube, more of an accident that anything but flow rate has not been altered measurably....

Perhaps the magnets in the impellor system are weak?