Filter problem -- urgent

[BirdOfPray]

I was doing a wc tonight on the 30-gallon tank and, being a responsible aquarist, I unplugged the equipment before getting started. Plugged it back in when I was done and suddenly my filter isn't working. It's an AquaClear 30, bought new in June. I can feel slight vibrations and some heat from the motor, but it's not moving water at all. I took off the intake and washed the tubes out, and they were a little gunky. Reassembled the thing and still no changes. Any ideas? Can I take it apart any further to see if something's clogging it on the inside? Would appreciate any help!

[mommy1]

make sure the impellor is properly seated.

[Lab_Rat]

Agree with what mommy1 said. Did you prime the filter? Make sure it is full of water before starting it. It will make it easier.

But yes, sounds like the impeller is stuck. Not a big deal, happens to one of my filters all the time. Take the tube out and re-seat it.

[BirdOfPray]

Thanks for the quick responses! I managed to find what I assume is the impeller (impressive for non-mechanically-gifted me) and it had a layer of soft brown muck on the heavy cylindrical part. I gave it a quick rinse, dropped it back in, and everything's working now. Whew! My fish thank you!

[lobsternoob]

that happens almost every time i shut off one of my aquaclear 10's, just like you did, I clean off and reseat the impeller and it's fine. They're pretty resilient filters, but a gunked up impeller will cause problems always. Glad you got it fixed, regular cleaning will help a lot too.