Rattly Filter disturbing my Axolotl?

[ParanoidLondon]

Hi All,

My Axolotl Lawrence has been with me since April (He is a year and a half old I think). We have gone through a lot together, and I'm still learning more about him everyday.

His tank is in my room and unluckily I have a rubbish filter. It ran fine for a month or two, then it broke, and ever since it's needed shaking after every feed/ water change when I turn it off. I didn't see that as too much of an issue until it's gotten progressively louder. It went from a hum to a RATTLE it is horrible. It woke me up the other night, and sometimes I can't sleep at all, I have to keep shaking and readjusting until it quietens down a little.

Lately he's been swimming around erratically, and I'm wondering if the filter is to blame? Cos surely if it disturbs me from across the room, then it must be causing him some distress? He also doesn't seem to want his food, and I've noticed this behaviour since the filter has gotten louder in the past few weeks.

Has anyone else experienced this? Please can someone advise?

Thank you for reading my ramblings!

 

[auntiejude]

Yes it si quite possible that the noise or vibration from a dodgy filter is upsetting your axie.

What kind of filter is it? Have you taken it apart and given all the parts a good clean? Sometimes the impeller in a pump can get a bit gungy, you need to rinse the filter media from time to time, tubes can become blocked etc. Try cleaning it first, if it makes no difference you might need to replace it.
* rinse all filter media in dechlorinated water or you'll lose the good bacteris.

 

[ParanoidLondon]

Hi, thanks for replying. It's just a Jewel filter. It's rubbish haha. I have no idea how to open it or clean the inside. I'm pretty sure there's something blocking it. I will try to desemble it tonight and see what I can fix.

Thanks for the advice! Esp about the cleaning in dechlorinated water. I normally just rinse the sponge under the tap! :O

 

[Jgreen84]

How big is the tank? I would recommend buying a new filter altogether if it really is that noisy. I bought a 50 gallon tank filter for only $35 including shipping on ebay. They aren't too expensive to buy if you look in the right place. Also, you should have a filter that has carbon too, not just a sponge.

 

[keiko]

How big is the tank? I would recommend buying a new filter altogether if it really is that noisy. I bought a 50 gallon tank filter for only $35 including shipping on ebay. They aren't too expensive to buy if you look in the right place. Also, you should have a filter that has carbon too, not just a sponge.

Carbon is not necessary. Biochemical filtration is the most important.

 

[Jgreen84]

I agree, it isn't necessary but it is recommended for removing pollutants in the water. Also get a filter that can include some bio rings in it. I personally love the fluval 4u, its submersible and it has a setting where it disperses the flow very evenly and slowly. It has biorings, sponge, and carbon. However, the problem with submersible filters is they put off heat which may raise the temp of your tank.

 

[keiko]

The problem with carbon is that you need to replace is pretty often in order for it to work. And when you take it out you're also taking out bacteria that takes care of the biochemical (biological) filtration, meaning you're throwing the cycle off balance. Ofcourse carbon is useful if you need to remove medicine etc from the water. But as most people remove axies to a sick tub for any medication, it's not needed even for that. If your water is good enough for you to use then it's good enough for axies (ofcourse water conditioner/prime should be used as needed). Axies are big and produce a lot of wastes so the nitrogen cycle has to be strong and stable.