fievels007 Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 Is a possible reason for an apparent lack of water flow because the filter is getting clogged up? Set the tank up in mid January, haven't replaced the blue or green sponges in the filter yet, but have changed the black once and the white regularly. This fish have been gasping for air a little. I did a water chage a couple of nights ago which solved the problem, but now the rams are back at the top. The water doesn't look to be moving much cos all the bits of debris seem to just float in the water, not actually move anywhere and the surface seems pretty still. Ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 If your fish are gasping at the water its a classic sign of lack of oxygen in the water.. Check your temperature in your tank (it should probably be around 26 unless you have discus in there) warmer water holds less oxygen. Add an air pump with air stones to get more oxygen into the water. Or get your filter going and getting the surface of the water moving, your filters flow will noticeably slow when it is clogged so you need to clean it out more or if its clogging too often add another filter or a bigger one. I haven't replaced any media due to it reducing flow rate most of the crap can be rinsed out of it. Even if you can get your filter running and move the surface of the water I would still suggest you add an airpump as well just so your covered in case your filter does get clogged. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fievels007 Posted August 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 Thanks, I cleaned out the outflow pipe and a load of gunge came out... smelt lovely! Now the water flow is a billion times faster! It had slowly been getting less and less until I had finally noticed it wasn't quite right, now all is well again. Hopefully now all the dusty looking algae will get off my plants!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HaNs Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 I do my FX5 every few weeks as it gets blocked up quick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jn Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 Maybe you need to ask yourself why the filter outlet pipe got so gunked up? You'd think most of the crap was supposed to stop before it got near the outlet pipe? Do you need to clean more often? Are your sponges in the right order? (I don't know anything specific about your filter.. just wonder what you could look at !) I guess giving it a rinse when you do the sponges would take car of it too though I bet your fish are pleased!!!! :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 Usually the inlet pipe gets blocked up first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 If you have fish that like to nibble live plants you will find the uplift continually being clogged by plant debris. Java fern is a bugger for getting sucked up too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freakyfish Posted August 3, 2007 Report Share Posted August 3, 2007 I would definalty be cleaning your filter alot more often Also it depends on where your fish are gasping whether its an oxygen problem or not Fish at the top of the tank yes thats generally right but if they are at the bottom of the tanks its more then likely an ammonia problem which is more likely with a clogged filter If you want to keep your tanks running at the best level then clean it along time b4 it nearly stops Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fievels007 Posted August 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Yes, the fish are now very happy! I rinse the sponges every time I do a water change (weekly), it just never occured to me that the outpipe would get clogged. There was still a reasonable amount of water coming through it. Lessons learned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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