Please help

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HeatherE

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 2, 2012
25
0
0
Florida
Hey everyone! I'm new to the site and it looks really interesting and full of fantastic ideas. I can't wait to check it out more but I'm kind of in a pinch and need some help, quick. I'm the first to admit that I have no idea what I'm doing, in fact, all I know is what the last bf told me to do to take care of it, which isn't much. I inherited a 125 gallon fresh water tank and I've been limping along for the last five months and things have been fine. The filter started making some funny guggle guggle noise and I noticed the output thing (sorry, don't know the word) wasn't spraying out the water anymore, so I thought I would clean the canister filter. I did, put everything back together, filled it with water, plugged in the hoses, turned it on and it's leaking at the clips. I'm sure it's the clips, not where the hoses are. It only leaks after I press the lever to seal in the hoses. I opened the canister, everything looks fine, the clips aren't "too tight", I can close them with relative ease, I don't see any gunk. I tried filling the hole at the top near the intake thing, but it just keeps sucking in the water and leaking. I'm scared for the fish. I don't have the skills to replace anything like orings or even the clips, so if I need a new filter, fine. But I don't know if that's the right answer or if there's an easy fix. I don't even know how to get a new filter, the best kind, the right size, how long I have, etc. I'm kind of panicking that my fish are dying and I don't know what to do. :nilly:

Any help is VERY APPRECIATED!
 
While the filter is down you definitely want to do a 50% water change to control any ammonia. Second, do you know what kind of filter it is? And third, how many fish in the tank and what size?


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I can pretty much guarantee it's leaking at the seal. Either it fell out when you cleaned it, or you got it twisted, or it needs replaced.

Turn filter off and take off the top. Turn it over so you're looking at the part that would be inside the filter.
Look around the edges for a rubber seal, generally seated in a crevice, usually either black or grey. If there's not one it fell out and try to find it.
If you see it make sure you get it in straight (it's usually obvious how it goes in), and be careful with it that you don't break or smash it. If it looks cracked it needs replaced. If it still leaks afterward try lubricating it with vaseline. If that doesn't work it probably needs replace since they will shrink or become hard or mishapen over time.

If it's leaking near the hoses but not around them, where you press the thing down to seat hose fixture, then it could be the seal there instead. Same strategy, look for seal where it seats, if it's missing find it, otherwise make sure it's properly inserted and seated.

If you can tell the type of filter I can probably give better directions.
 
Hi, and THANKS for replying. Ok, I can do the water change, no problem. That is good to know. It's a Rena Filstar xP. I have two Oscars and maybe 25 much smaller assorted ones in the 125 gallon tank. Oh, and a good size algae eater. (They keep breeding, but that's a question for another day...)
 
I kind of figured it was a rena or similar from your description.

Read the bottom of my post again, I added a line about the hose fixture.
 
Ok, trying it now. The oring is there, it looks like it's in good shape, but I'm breaking out the Vaseline anyway.
 
Make sure to rinse it off. Sometimes they get gunk and grit that doesn't appear to be bad until you start rinsing and wiping it off. I've also gotten sand and rocks down in the crevice it goes in that caused it to leak until I got it out.

But you should vaseline it either way, since they last longer and don't dry out if they're lubricated periodically.
 
Omgosh, omgosh, omgosh, omgosh, omgosh!! You guys and girl are geniuses!! It works!! I gotta admit, I had a fleeting moment of doubt (I mean, anything involving Vaseline sounds like a practical joke right, haha) but it really worked!!! The filter is running again and I feel much better. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

I'm really excited I found this forum. I can't wait to check out all the cool things y'all do with the tanks. This is awesome!

:woot:
 
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