My fish tank filter is so noisey I turn it off when I'm home and put it on when I go to work. Will this harm my fish?
2007-08-27 11:52:35 · 8 answers · asked by janeviv09 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Yes, your filter needs to be on all the time. The beneficial aerobic bacteria that help with the biological filtering will die if they don't get enough O2 flowing over them in the water. When they die, they become septic and can kill or maim your fish. Your ammonia will also build up much faster as the good bacteria die off and stop converting the ammonia to less toxic materials like nitrites and nitrates.
A noisy power filter is typically caused by a worn impellor. The impellor (it is removeable and replaceable) is a magnet with a small propeller fixed to it. It fits down into a hole in the bottom part of the filter resevoir and when the electric motor is turned on by plugging it in, the motor turns the propellor and it pumps the water.
A new impellor costs about 1/3 to 1/2 of the cost of a brand new power filter. So if you are on a tight budget, ask your pet shop for a new impellor for your brand and size of filter. They usually always have some on hand, but do not display them. They can order them if you can wait a week or ten days.
There could also be some air bubbles trapped in the bottom of the filter resevoir around the impellor and the noise you hear is called cavitating. Very annoying. Try removing the intake tube that extends down into the tank and see if there is something clogging it up so the water doesn't flow properly. Run water thru it or poke in it with a pencil or pipe cleaner to dislodge whatever gunk is plugging it up. It could be as simple as that.
Replace the tube and refill with water. You might have to play with it a little and add more water to get it to start siphoning again, but it will.
2007-08-27 12:45:09 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fish Tank Filter
2016-10-02 22:16:02 · answer #2 · answered by helsley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, filters need to be on 24/7.
Mosts filters aren't very noisy. Maybe your impeller is jammed. Take a look at it and try to fix the problem.
~ZTM
2007-08-27 13:11:05 · answer #3 · answered by ZooTycoonMaster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to leave your filter on 24/7 unless you're talking about an airpump for bubbles
There are several reasons it can be noisy:
your water level is too low
you don't have enough water in the filter itself
your propeller* (the thing that turns) is not in correctly
Hope that helps
good luck
EB
2007-08-27 12:04:46 · answer #4 · answered by Kribensis lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It needs to be on 24/7. If it is noisy, consider replacing it with a good one, like a Tetra Whisper or Hagen Aqua Clear.
2007-08-27 14:10:23 · answer #5 · answered by Democrat with 5 Guns 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, filters need to constantly be on. If your filter is really nosiy, change it. It wouldn't harm the fish if you change the filter.
Plus, DON"T TURN IT OFF!!
2007-08-27 11:56:13 · answer #6 · answered by Chris 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
they should stay on i agree with the first answer change your filter i have a rena filster and its quiet
2007-08-27 11:58:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They should stay on - if its noisy it's probably worn, get a new one as usually you can't fix them.
2007-08-27 12:04:41 · answer #8 · answered by Debi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋