Powerhead filter no longer working??

[jeanius]

hi there, i was wondering if i could get some advice.
i bought a secondhand aqua one fish tank (AR620) and tested it before setting it up - everything was working fine until i filled the tank with water. now the powerhead filter no longer works.
before i go to the shops to get a new one i was wondering if anyone knew of any common problems that might prevent these filters from working? i don't know why it would suddenly stop =/
the heater and lights all work so it's not a power fault. i did submerge the powerhead fully under water because this is what the guy at the aquarium store said to do, but i'm wondering if having part of the power cord submerged in water might have caused it to short circuit??
any ideas would be appreciated, thanks!

[wombat1100]

HI mate, the power filter isnt blocked in any way is it? is it making any noise at all like its trying to run?

[aquariumleasing]

You should be able to dismantle the pump - clean out the impella housing and put it back together. While you have it apart but with the impella still inside its shaft, plug it in and give the impella a gentle push start - sometimes they just jam. A good cleanout with a small brush or similar might prevent it from sticking.

[jeanius]

nope no noise at all..
sorry aquariumleasing but what exactly is an impella?
i did originally remove the tube that sits inside the tank to clean out the algae, then i fitted it back onto the body of the unit. might that have something to do with it?

[Woodsy]

Your impeller is the rotating mechanism that moves the water through your pump. It will look like a set of plastic spokes connected to a cylindrical magnet. There will be a removable shaft that runs down the centre, which I'm pretty sure in your case will be made of metal, but if it is white ceramic as it is in some filters, be careful not to snap it. The impeller housing can be cleared of debris with an aquarium bottle brush (like those used to clean filter pipes), after which the impeller shaft can be put back in, and then the impeller. You can test it now if you like, before putting any removable guards back on. If it doesn't move, try giving it a push as stated above. I had one the other day that I had to turn numerous times in order for it to losen up and start moving again. Needles to say, I don't think it had been cleaned very often :p

[jeanius]

ooh thanks you guys are geniuses!
i fiddled around with the little propeller bit and the filter works fine now, thanks again!

[wombat1100]

Good to hear you didn't waste your hard earned on something that u didn't really need then!
Dazz