Marineland Hex 5 Filter Problem

Question
I'm hoping you can help me - I must be doing something wrong. The water seems to flow right across the filter without really being filtered. It just goes over the top and out to the biowheel. Needless to say, the tank is always filthy and the water a brownish color. Is there a way to force the water to pass through the filter?? Did I set it up wrong?

Answer
Hi Kate;

It sounds like your filter pad is plugged. Don't replace it though. Your filter pad is a place for beneficial (good) bacteria to grow and thrive. This bacteria consumes waste toxins. Take the pad out and rinse it in a container of tank water to clear it. Most of your beneficial bacteria will still be clinging to the filter pad but most of the crud should be gone so that water will flow through it again.

Filter pads should only be replaced when they can no longer be rinsed enough to flow freely or they are literally falling apart from age. I have some that are more than 3 years old.

If your filter pads become clogged in a short period of time there may be a problem in your tank. Overcrowding and/or overfeeding are just a couple of the usual culprits. Let me know more about your tank and it's fish and I can help you more. The following info would be helpful;

How long has your tank been set up?
What type of fish do you have?
How many fish do you have?
How big are they?
What are the pH, ammonia, nitrite levels?
How often do you change water? How often do you vacuum the gravel?
How many gallons of water are replaced at each water change?
What kind of food do you feed? How often?
How many minutes does it take for your fish to consume all the food from all areas of the tank?

Let me know and we can go from there to help your tank be more enjoyable and easier to maintain.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins