Sounds like the filter sucks and people have bought the size bigger, used a filter sponge or bought an Azoo Mignon Filter 60. How much is the Azoo, is it any easy swap, and how often does that need replacing? The sponge may be cheaper, but I am a complete novice and I don't want to cause death to a fish :) Sounds like the filter sucks and people have bought the size bigger, used a filter sponge or bought an Azoo Mignon Filter 60. How much is the Azoo, is it any easy swap, and how often does that... » Read More Sounds like the filter sucks and people have bought the size bigger, used a filter sponge or bought an Azoo Mignon Filter 60. How much is the Azoo, is it any easy swap, and how often does that need replacing? The sponge may be cheaper, but I am a complete novice and I don't want to cause death to a fish :) « Show Less
278169
If you are going to use this for a betta I would not put a "bigger" filter on as they do not do well in moving water. This small of a tank really cannot be "cycled" anyway so you would need to replace the water weekly anyway.
1734612
Do yourself a favor and throw that piece of junk out now. The light it comes will does not grow anything but the lowest of low light plants (and only directly centered under the light). The filter is too strong a flow and it not warped in foam tends to vibrate and b loud. The plastic the tank is made of will get stress fractures (appears like insane amount of tiny webbing) and you can actually see the tank pow outward if you fill it to within 1/2" of the top. Its not worth it.Also evolve4 does not mean 4 gallons, its barely 3g total but less (around 2.3) in the front swim area. You can't fit much of anything live in there without it being too cramped. Do yourself a favor and throw that piece of junk out now. The light it comes will does not grow anything but the lowest of low light plants (and only directly centered under the light). The filter is too strong a flow and it not warped in foam tends to vibrate and b loud. The plastic the tank is made of will get stress fractures (appears like insane amount of tiny webbing) and you can actually see the tank pow outward if you fill it to within 1/2" of the top. Its not worth it.Also evolve4 does not mean 4 gallons, its barely 3g total but less (around 2.3) in the front swim area.... » Read More Do yourself a favor and throw that piece of junk out now. The light it comes will does not grow anything but the lowest of low light plants (and only directly centered under the light). The filter is too strong a flow and it not warped in foam tends to vibrate and b loud. The plastic the tank is made of will get stress fractures (appears like insane amount of tiny webbing) and you can actually see the tank pow outward if you fill it to within 1/2" of the top. Its not worth it.Also evolve4 does not mean 4 gallons, its barely 3g total but less (around 2.3) in the front swim area. You can't fit much of anything live in there without it being too cramped. « Show Less
1793828
I am just now to the point to change my first filter so don't know just yet. Lost where I put my filters so waiting on new ones before I take it apart. I will have to wait to hear on your responses. I don't seem to have goo but I used to get it all the time on their other regular dishes.
755904
You are welcome. I have used various filters and absolutely rely on Aquaclear. Cut white felt to fit over the sponge to add an extra layer of filtration. Best if changed ever 2 or 3 days. You will understand once you see what is filtered out.Keep me posted.M.
1780788
I have been using theses filters for ever, I would suggest moving up to one size bigger, the larger has an extension tube that comes with it, this one only goes about 6" into the water. When it comes to filtration, bigger is better if you have room, the larger has 2 chambers/holds 2 media inserts, you will be much happier and the tank will be much cleaner, and there isn't a lot of difference in the cost.
556813
Tonya. It looks exactly what I bought and 5 gals. in size. However, I paid $99 and free shipping so you might want to search a little more. Also, the photo is nice, but you should not put that many fish in it for the size of the tank and type of filter. Half the number you see would be better. There are no below gravel filters for better filtration for that size tank that I could find.
1978860
I have only had my tank set up for a little over a month. It has one betta in it. Yesterday the filter died. Can't get it going again. I had to go out and buy a new filter to keep my fish happy. Now I have to find a light that will fit on the tank so I can get rid of that huge useless cube out of the middle.
526255
I believe it depends on how many fish you have and how quickly the tank get dirty. Personally i just change it once a month to be safe.I have a 55 gallon tank with some tetras, two angel fish, two pelcos, and a albino corry(Total: 9 fish). I only change once a month, even when i had 13 fish i still changed the filter once a month.I never had any issues with the fish and my water always passed the weekly tests.
1208172
Hello! Well I will tell you. I ordered two replacement filters about three weeks ago and I have that same issue. It seems to filter the water and then it does come out slower. I don't know if its a real issue but I know exactly what you are saying. I am going to call culigan and find out for sure. Thanks
1107201
That tank looked way too tiny. I have mine in a 3 gallon tank with an undergravel filter using an airstone for flow. Has worked since I got them, rarely needs cleaning ever. I have 12 in that little tank though. It is circular and they really seem to love the shape as they continuously swim around and around. They didn't do that in the 3 gallon fish aquarium with a filter? Good to see them active. Regular filters could all damage the shrimp so undergravel is much safer for them.
1083696
Thank you so much! I'm going to check my manual to see if it's a Fast fill product or not, although the Refer. is a side-by-side.....I'm paying over $50./filter now through Sears's website, but won't now!!!
1707074
Hi there. I think you are going to love you SeaClear aquarium. I put 25 lbs of substrate in mine and that seems to be plenty. More and you will have more problems keeping it clean. By the way, I just bought a Python water changer (on Amazon, look it up.) Now I can't imagine how I ever did without it! It makes weekly water changes a breeze. It may seem pricey if this is your first aquarium, but it's worth every penny. After you carry gallons of water back and forth for a few weeks, you'll see why. Aquariums are addictive and I now have a 50 gallon SeaClear and the 40 gallon. Would have more - even bigger - but I don't have the room! Good luck. Hi there. I think you are going to love you SeaClear aquarium. I put 25 lbs of substrate in mine and that seems to be plenty. More and you will have more problems keeping it clean. By the way, I just bought a Python water changer (on Amazon, look it up.) Now I can't imagine how I ever did without it! It makes weekly water changes a breeze. It may seem pricey if this is your first aquarium, but it's worth every penny. After you carry gallons of water back and forth for a few weeks, you'll see why. Aquariums are addictive and I now have a 50 gallon SeaClear and the 40 gallon. Would have more... » Read More Hi there. I think you are going to love you SeaClear aquarium. I put 25 lbs of substrate in mine and that seems to be plenty. More and you will have more problems keeping it clean. By the way, I just bought a Python water changer (on Amazon, look it up.) Now I can't imagine how I ever did without it! It makes weekly water changes a breeze. It may seem pricey if this is your first aquarium, but it's worth every penny. After you carry gallons of water back and forth for a few weeks, you'll see why. Aquariums are addictive and I now have a 50 gallon SeaClear and the 40 gallon. Would have more - even bigger - but I don't have the room! Good luck. « Show Less
1178229
Search for my review on the SFS1500. I describe how we converted from the SFS1500 piece-o'crap to an fantastic Intex sand filter/pump on our Summer Escapes pool, links included to the products we used. The Summer Escapes pool has been GREAT, but their SFS1500 pump is like month-old seafood... it stinks on ice. Yes, you will spend about $250 for an Intex sand filter/pump and an Intex plunger valve set, but if your experience is like ours, you will spend $140 per SFS1500 pump. Our original SFS1500 (which came with the pool) lasted three to four months, and died before the end of summer. The replacement SFS1500 lasted about a month. I would not install another SFS1500 if someone gave it to me for free. Search for my review on the SFS1500. I describe how we converted from the SFS1500 piece-o'crap to an fantastic Intex sand filter/pump on our Summer Escapes pool, links included to the products we used. The Summer Escapes pool has been GREAT, but their SFS1500 pump is like month-old seafood... it stinks on ice. Yes, you will spend about $250 for an Intex sand filter/pump and an Intex plunger valve set, but if your experience is like ours, you will spend $140 per SFS1500 pump. Our original SFS1500 (which came with the pool) lasted three to four months, and died before the end of... » Read More Search for my review on the SFS1500. I describe how we converted from the SFS1500 piece-o'crap to an fantastic Intex sand filter/pump on our Summer Escapes pool, links included to the products we used. The Summer Escapes pool has been GREAT, but their SFS1500 pump is like month-old seafood... it stinks on ice. Yes, you will spend about $250 for an Intex sand filter/pump and an Intex plunger valve set, but if your experience is like ours, you will spend $140 per SFS1500 pump. Our original SFS1500 (which came with the pool) lasted three to four months, and died before the end of summer. The replacement SFS1500 lasted about a month. I would not install another SFS1500 if someone gave it to me for free. « Show Less
150646
You did nothing wrong. The filters suck. You would have to run them for days until they clear out. I gave up. Glad it was cheep. I went to Petco and bought a Tetra whisper in-tank Filter. Cost a little more but works just fine.
249636
Be sure to read up on aquarium keeping and especially the nitrogen cycle if you want to attempt this tank. There is no set rule as to how often to clean or "change" a tank, it depends on many variables and without understanding a cycled vs an uncycled aquarium you will be clueless. Small tanks are not easier, they are actually much less forgiving with the fish suffering greatly for even small mistakes. BTW- the bio-filter on this is actually quite large and enough for a tank 10x this size, but filter size does not really have much to do with how much or how often one does water changes. Be sure to read up on aquarium keeping and especially the nitrogen cycle if you want to attempt this tank. There is no set rule as to how often to clean or "change" a tank, it depends on many variables and without understanding a cycled vs an uncycled aquarium you will be clueless. Small tanks are not easier, they are actually much less forgiving with the fish suffering greatly for even small mistakes. BTW- the bio-filter on this is actually quite large and enough for a tank 10x this size, but filter size does not really have much to do with how much or how often one does water... » Read More Be sure to read up on aquarium keeping and especially the nitrogen cycle if you want to attempt this tank. There is no set rule as to how often to clean or "change" a tank, it depends on many variables and without understanding a cycled vs an uncycled aquarium you will be clueless. Small tanks are not easier, they are actually much less forgiving with the fish suffering greatly for even small mistakes. BTW- the bio-filter on this is actually quite large and enough for a tank 10x this size, but filter size does not really have much to do with how much or how often one does water changes. « Show Less
169267
I bought this product from the company directly not Amazon. The mesh filter is okay but does not clean up well, in my experience (only once). I had to throw out the filter after one use and replacing them every use is EXPENSIVE. I wrote a review on the Magic Butter website and did not give it a good review. That was over a month ago and it is still not posted. Matter of fact they do not seem to post any review that is lower than 4 or 5 stars. This seems, to me, highly unethical - but that is what kind of company I feel I am dealing with. I used it once, it was a waste of 174.00 in my opinion! I bought this product from the company directly not Amazon. The mesh filter is okay but does not clean up well, in my experience (only once). I had to throw out the filter after one use and replacing them every use is EXPENSIVE. I wrote a review on the Magic Butter website and did not give it a good review. That was over a month ago and it is still not posted. Matter of fact they do not seem to post any review that is lower than 4 or 5 stars. This seems, to me, highly unethical - but that is what kind of company I feel I am dealing with. I used it once, it was a waste of 174.00 in my opinion!
1504500
[Sorry, I am having computer problems.] Re the filter. I guess it depends on the quality of your water. We are on a private well, and the water is very good. Our habit is to change the filters every 9 or 10 months. The plumber's rule of thumb at our house is to change things when the water starts to run slow - that could take a year. I'm too neurotic to wait that long! Lastly, there seems to be little water wasted in the process (maybe a small container's worth, about a quart). Best wishes, Lauren