How Long Without a Filter?

**MandyH** · 07-22-2012, 01:30 AM

My 5 year old Rena XP3 filter died on me tonight. I completely took it apart and cleaned it, but it still wouldn't run. I just changed the hoses, still won't work. I fill the intake tubing and close the latch, but only about 1/4" of water ends up going into the filter. It just won't prime for me.

I'm BEYOND frustrated right now!!

I'm going out of town tomorrow so I don't know if I'll be able to get a new filter or not. It's more realistic that I can get one Monday night. Will my fish be able to survive that long with a filter? I have the bubble wall which runs about 3/4 of the tank and I can turn that on high so they get air.

**Cliff** · 07-22-2012, 01:37 AM

Just a few things to check:
-is the filler cap tighly replaced in the intake tube after filling the hose?
-is the latch that hold the hose assembly to the filter fully pushed down?
-have you tried removing the impeller and checking for something blocking the flow (like some leaves)?

Short of that, if you place all of you media in the tank and add some flow around it, it will help to keep the water clean/safe and will give your BB it's best chance

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-22-2012, 01:48 AM

If it was working until you turned it off and now won't start again, you need to mess with it like Cliff said. You probably have an airlock in there.

**Crispy** · 07-22-2012, 02:41 AM

a good reason to invest in a cheap air pump and sponge filter. I always have some cycled sponge filters just incase. plus you can setup a quarantine tank in an instant. I would start to get worried after 48 hours with no filtration.

**MandyH** · 07-22-2012, 02:42 AM

Well... don't I feel like a complete tool right now!!!

I guess we're all entitled to our stupid moments right? Well, tonight I think I may have taken the prize for that!! Frustration must've really set in because I was trying to prime filter with the funnel still in the tube instead of having the cap tighly screwed on. Once I secured the cap, it worked on the first try. Really weird... I honestly don't remember taking the cap off to begin with, but apparently the filter would not have been working without it on.

I guess at least now I can feel better that my fish have their filter back AND I won't have to shell out more money for a new one!

**Cliff** · 07-22-2012, 02:47 AM

LOL, I think we all will doing something like that once in a while

My wife does not like me using a python unsupervised for reasons I would rather not get into right now

Glad to hear the filter is running correctly