I put in a new filter and it ate my sword fish. I need a filter for my intake tube that I don't need to worry about eating my fish, please help. I have it turned off now scared it will take another. Thank you for any help at all
1773553
The sponge on the Filter-Max III Prefilter is fine enough that it has not eaten any of my livebearer fry, so I'd suggest it will solve the problem of your filter eating your fish. It is HUGE, depending on what size tank you have; takes up nearly as much space as a regular sponge filter would. I have a 75 gallon tank and use two, one to prefilter each canister filter. The connections between the plastic tubes on the Filter-Max are fussy and delicate; make sure you have the right sizes connecting to the right sizes. :)
1535515
It may be the carbon filter. It will take a little time for the carbon "dust" to rinse through the system.... it's the same idea in fish aquarium filters, you always want to rinse them before installing them in the tank....
605821
In my opinion and what I have done thus far is use the filter. Notice I said filter and not filters. I have used one filter since I have owned the machine. I never change the filter and I doubt I would ever have to since it filters the freshly distilled water. Taste has not been affected and the only reason I can see for the filters is to ensure no particulates from the machinery would ever enter the water. That said, it should be impossible during the life of the machine for any particulates to break loose. These are copper pipes used for the distillation so the filters are either a money maker or just a fail safe is all. In my opinion and what I have done thus far is use the filter. Notice I said filter and not filters. I have used one filter since I have owned the machine. I never change the filter and I doubt I would ever have to since it filters the freshly distilled water. Taste has not been affected and the only reason I can see for the filters is to ensure no particulates from the machinery would ever enter the water. That said, it should be impossible during the life of the machine for any particulates to break loose. These are copper pipes used for the distillation so the filters are either a money... » Read More In my opinion and what I have done thus far is use the filter. Notice I said filter and not filters. I have used one filter since I have owned the machine. I never change the filter and I doubt I would ever have to since it filters the freshly distilled water. Taste has not been affected and the only reason I can see for the filters is to ensure no particulates from the machinery would ever enter the water. That said, it should be impossible during the life of the machine for any particulates to break loose. These are copper pipes used for the distillation so the filters are either a money maker or just a fail safe is all. « Show Less
1931247
I watched my female betta jump up the waterfall part, swim around in the filter, then surf back out. (It turned out she was being bullied by other fish in the tank.) Maybe put a screen under/in front of the outflow? Or put a piece of sponge or nylon over the intake?
1709779
Mine went out in 2 months. Not good quality in the slightest. Replaced it and never looked back. Also a 20 gallon filter on a 25 gallon tank is probably too small if you fill it up all the way. You should always go bigger. But that's off topic. If it came with the setup then use it until it poops out and replace it. If you bought, return it. I can't speak for fluval but I know I hated the aqueon.
196368
I tested mine out with fresh water then blew it out and put it in my bug out bag. It has been in there for around a year, I just took it out to put some more fresh water through it and it is completely clogged, Nothing being drawn through, then I blew through it and nothing came out, I poured some fresh water into it from the end and let it trickle through it. That loosened it up and I was able to suck fresh water through it.Now I am not so sure I trust it to filter water.
1582440
This filter didn't work out for me. Mine started making noises too. It then stopped working all together. I've replaced it with the Tetra whisper power filter. We have three tanks all using this filter and have had no problems.
1458698
Maybe some fluid engineer could comment on this, but if you can pull water up a short tube that means water is being pulled through the filter. I have a 6 inch tube in an aquarium and that functions well.
714425
Mosquitoes laid eggs in our fountain and I found them swimming around the filter when cleaning the dish. I will note, however, it was unplugged for 2 days then replugged in after that period but inside (not outside). I am concerned about this happening again even when the water is running so I would encourage everyone not to unplug their filter and if they do to check it carefully before pet use.
2064441
I have not had mine that long and have not had that problem but it might be that the water intake tube is stuck in the top of the water tank.If so, push it down so it reaches the bottom of the tank. Another thing it might be is that calcium and mineral deposits could have built up. I know they sell a Shark water filtration bottle to stop that from happening.
177553
Lois, my fish wouldn't eat it. I thought it was a great price for the weight, but I was wrong. They don't like the round pellet - only the 'sticks'. Maybe you will have better luck. :o) p.s.... it doesn't all float either ;o(
1356721
I bought two and put in the bottom of a 55 gallon tank. Since installing the filters there has been quite a build-up of ??? on the top of the gravel. It is white and stringy (?) and very hard to clean out because of the tank depth! I have had MUCH better luck keeping the tank clean by installing two flow through filters and extending one of the intakes as close to the bottom as possible. If I had it to do over again I would NOT have gotten the under gravel systems.
173069
No it won't hurt the fish at all. There is a slot that is next to the blue filter. You can use a flat bio filter in it instead of the wheel. It all works the same. Just remove the wheel and add the bio filter.
487788
Mike: silly question, but did you give the filter an extra push, plus push in the top rubber gasket some more to expose the thread? If this fails then the filter is too long. In that case I would be making an extended threaded mounting post. Or a special nut with a reduced diameter that will go inside the filter and catch the thread. My 10 gallon Craftsman has a 7/16 NC thread. I have the capability at home to manufacture these fixes, but if you do not I am at a loss for other solutions. Hoe about a recessed cup with a flange, then cut a bigger hole in the filter rubber and use a 7/16 nut inside the cup. Mike: silly question, but did you give the filter an extra push, plus push in the top rubber gasket some more to expose the thread? If this fails then the filter is too long. In that case I would be making an extended threaded mounting post. Or a special nut with a reduced diameter that will go inside the filter and catch the thread. My 10 gallon Craftsman has a 7/16 NC thread. I have the capability at home to manufacture these fixes, but if you do not I am at a loss for other solutions. Hoe about a recessed cup with a flange, then cut a bigger hole in the filter rubber and use a 7/16 nut... » Read More Mike: silly question, but did you give the filter an extra push, plus push in the top rubber gasket some more to expose the thread? If this fails then the filter is too long. In that case I would be making an extended threaded mounting post. Or a special nut with a reduced diameter that will go inside the filter and catch the thread. My 10 gallon Craftsman has a 7/16 NC thread. I have the capability at home to manufacture these fixes, but if you do not I am at a loss for other solutions. Hoe about a recessed cup with a flange, then cut a bigger hole in the filter rubber and use a 7/16 nut inside the cup. « Show Less
2146423
Hello, I found out when I called the company, that their filter when "old" builds up a bacteria (that is no harmful but tastes awful) They told me to change the filter more often. However I found that after only a week it would smell bad. To bad, because I love the idea of this filter, but they haven't perfected it... So I went back to Britta filter and no bad tasting water anymore ;)
2064421
Mine does this too! It's contaminating my fish tank. I also get carbon dust, even though I've rinsed, and re-rinsed the filters. The carbon dust accumulates on the leaves of my plants.
1093680
This pre-filter will definitely help. I have used it in the past to prevent my very tiny baby fish from getting sucked up by the filter, and it has always worked, I never found any babies swimming around in the filter (which actually happened to me once w/ some Cory catfish babies - before I put the pre-filter on). Plus, it provides an extra layer of filtration - you can reduce the times you change your main filter by cleaning out the pre-filter sponge regularly.