General filter FAQs
The only question that is a silly question, is one that isn’t asked!
We advise you should check the following;
1. Ensure that the foams are not blocked.
2. Is there any damage to the impeller? Is a replacement required?
3. Ensure that the unit is at the correct water level and is not being run dry.
4. Check fuse and cable for any damage.
There may be a blockage, so the filter should be checked for this.
If the filter foams may need cleaning – squeeze them gently in old aquarium water to remove waste. Also, if they have lost shape, they may need replacing.
We advise to replace your cartridges monthly (or more often if required) for restored flow and clean, healthy water.
Solution 1:
The impellor should be removed and carefully cleaned.
Once the impellor has been cleaned it should be inspected for any damage. If the impellor or magnet is damaged in any way, the impellor should be replaced.
Solution 2:
The cartridge location hook and rubber vibration dampers on back of intake cage should be inspected. These dampeners are used here to ensure noisy vibration is kept to a minimum. These parts should be inspected for wear, and cleaned if necessary.
We also recommend that you ensure that the foams are not blocked.
Any interruption of more than 2-3 hours of the water supply through the filter will cause the bacteria in the filter to die.
Should this occur, do not simply re-start your filter. You must thoroughly clean ALL the filter materials and start the filter again.
In an aquarium fully stocked with fish, this may lead to water quality problems. We advise that you use test kits to monitor your water quality, an ammonia remover product and Fast Filter Start to manage the water quality.
Your aquatic retailer will be able to supply you with the relevant spares for our aquariums.
You can use the following document to see all of our aquarium spares and use as reference when contacting them.
Use our online store locator to find a retailer near you.
If you require any further advice or assistance with spare or replacement parts you can contact our customer care team.
These white polos are Biomedia which are a crucial part of your biological filtration system.
Remove the stones from their plastic bag and lay them in the dip under the filter pad. Healthy bacteria will grow on the stones aiding your filter, breaking down chemicals through the nitrogen cycle.
Your Biomedia will not need replacing unless it has been damaged. They can be rinsed in dirty aquarium water to remove blockages, and should be done as part of your water change.
Remember – never rinse your filter media in fresh tap water as this will kill all the good bacteria and create water quality problems in your aquarium
For the best results, we would advise that the filter pad is replaced monthly, doing so will keep your aquarium healthy, clean, clear and algae free.
No, you only need to remove the carbon filter (black) and return it 7 days after the final dose of treatment. Other sponges and/or bio-media can remain in the filter during treatments.
You should ensure that the airline has no ‘kinks’ and is not blocked. It may be that the diaphragm in the pump has worn. This can easily be replaced with a spares kit, which contains all the consumable parts in the air pump.
We recommend servicing the pump annually.
