Ack! My filter stopped!

**Flyby Stardancer** · 07-01-2013, 06:24 AM

So, I filled up and started cycling my little 2 gallon Marineland Eclipse tank late Friday night. I came home tonight from game and realized that the filter had stopped pumping. HELP! I'm not sure what to do, or even how to take it apart to see which part caused it to stop.

**genocidex** · 07-01-2013, 07:22 AM

Tbh with such a small tank you should consider an air driven sponge filter. They are nearly indestructable and works with any pump. Best perk is there are battery powered air pumps incase the power goes out

**imma24** · 07-01-2013, 12:34 PM

+1 with the above advice - sponge filters are cheap - just attach to an air pump with airline tubing and you're set!

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-01-2013, 03:23 PM

Unplug the filter and clean it. It probably has some gunk around the impeller causing it to stop running. All it takes is a tiny piece of debris to stop it.

**Flyby Stardancer** · 07-02-2013, 04:05 AM

Okay, trying to take apart the filter to figure out what's going on and what's what.

This is made all the harder by no obvious seams where I can crack the thing open, and no available user manual, since this is a discontinued model purchased at a thrift store. My e-mail to the company after I first purchased it requesting information on the model was never replied to. :/

**Flyby Stardancer** · 07-02-2013, 04:26 AM

Okay, managed to open up the impeller housing and clean that and the impeller as best as I could. Put it all back together and tried it... Nothing. :( Looks like it's the motor.

**Ms. Namazu** · 07-02-2013, 11:36 AM

petco is still having their 20% off Independence day sale. You can probably get one brand new with a one year warranty on the cheap right now.
their Aqueon filters are starting at 12 bucks for a 20Gal up to 30 bucks for 90 Gal.
I use the penguin 200 up to 50 gal filters 200 gal per hour sale price 25 bucks

Happy Hunting

**Slaphppy7** · 07-02-2013, 01:10 PM

I'd go with a sponge filter like others here have suggested, here's one for $6 with good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Jardin-Aquariu...+for+aquariums

**Flyby Stardancer** · 07-02-2013, 02:20 PM

I'm reluctant to go with a sponge filter because they always look so bulky and that tank is tiiiiiiny. The built-in filter only has the intake going down in the water--the rest of the filter is up in the hood, hanging over the water. And the hood is built in such a way to accommodate it, with only thin slots at the back for power cords to go through. Not ideal for swapping out filters.

**imma24** · 07-02-2013, 03:35 PM

I used to have a small internal box filter (made by Penn Plax) that I used in my 5gal QT - honestly, I dont' remember what size tank it was rated for but you'd need something rated for at least 5 gallons -it attached with suction cups to the inside wall of the tank and operated with an airpump and airline tubing. It has a cartridge and air stone in it. They are pretty cheap - under $10 I think.