Looking for Answers about Aqua-Tech AquaTech Power Filter 5-15?

you're supposed to put water where the cartridge is (it's the blue thing int he back)
well first rinse the cartridge then put it in then puthe water in

You have to put water in the back of the filter.

fill the chamber with water until it overflows, plug it in and within 10- 20 seconds the water should start flowing.

You must install the filter according to the instructions, and I think you aren't priming it by pouring water into the filter, plug it in, and wait for the loud noise to stop (this noise is the filter clearing the tube of any air.

Step One - Mount it on your tank.

Step Two - Take the Filter Cartridge & rinse it under your sink faucet until the water rinsing through it is clear, @ first it will be almost black, this is normal, it's just the dust from the Carbon. (You don't have to rinse the Bio-Fiber, but I would anyways.)

Step Three - Put the Bio-Fiber in the filter with the plastic frame facing towards the back of the filter, it goes all the way @ the front wear the return path to the tank is, then take the rinsed Filter Cartridge & put it right behind the Bio-Fiber with the blue mesh side facing towards the back of the filter & the plastic ribbed side facing towards the front of the filter.

Step Four - Take a cup & scoop some of the tank water up & pour it into the filter, this is referred to as "Priming", fill it up & it will let any water that it doesn't need back into the tank, this step MUST be done, if you don't prime this filter it will make a rattling noise while the Impeller knocks from side to side & eventually causes itself to break.

Step Five - Plug the filter up & enjoy your clean tank.

Also Remember - Change the Filter Cartridge every month for best results, if you notice the flow of water from the filter slowing down, unplug the filter, take out the Filter Cartridge & rinse it until it is visibly clean, then put it back facing the correct direction & plug the filter back up, if that doesn't help restore the water flow, then disassemble the whole system & clean all the parts & then reassemble, & always remember NEVER replace the Bio-Fiber, if you notice it's gotten clogged unplug the filter, take out the Bio-Fiber & rinse it a bucket of water from the tank, NOT from the sink, sink water will kill the beneficial bacteria growing on the Bio-Fiber, then put it back in the filter facing the correct direction & plug the filter back up.

Mine shorted out after 4 years. I suggest that you exchange it for a new one, as these filters are very high in quality. Don't buy the ones in damaged boxes, though!!

YES! But provides very good filtration and current. Ann's a bang for your buck! Worth it if you're looking for a low end cheap filter and dont mind the sound of someone peeing all throughout your house. (even a 3,800 sq. foot home :/ and I own five but when only one is running you will still hear it just described above. Good luck!

not much. a little water fall noise.

It's VERY quiet. I hardly know it's on.

not loud at all owned for 3 months no problem

All you hear is some bubbles popping every now and then.

it seems fine in my 10 gal tank

If the flow is too strong, just lift the the intake do-hickey (yes I know, it's not aquatic terms, but i don't know what it's called) It adjusts the flow. I have 18 platy fry in my 5 gallon and I maneuvered the intake tube so the flow is almost null.

It's fine for a 10 gallon tank. It's probably not too strong. The fish can get out of the way if they aren't too stupid. I doubt it would harm your guppies.

its perfect

Yes

yes it includes one cartridge

Yes it does.

yes, 1 cartridge included

No it's perfect! Goldfish like cold fast moving water and this generates a strong current not even my delicate little betta gets stuck (: plus I don't know what kind of power filter wouldnt have a snap cover for the intake tube. (which this one does, it prevents gravel, fish, decor,etc from getting stuck. ) good luck :D

it depends on the tank size, I have a 10 gal and my goldfish seems fine

If you are worried about your fish being too small and getting sucked in by a filter I would suggest looking for a pre filter sponge. I don't believe walmart sells them but they aren't hard to find. It just slips over the intake and it prevents fry, small fish and excess debris from entering the filter.

If you have super small baby fish like 1 cm long then maybe, but this filter isn't very strong and if you keep the included guard on then they should have no problem. i have had many goldfish from all sizes with 2 of these running and nothing has happened.

Plug it in ,then prime it and if it doesnt start right away give it a minute

return it you got a lemon.

You need to keep pouing water for about a minute. Constant.

start the filter in the tank then pour water into where the intake valve goes in then pour water into the rest of the filter

External as it hangs over the back of the tank and the intake tube drops in the water.

internal

External, "Hang on back" HOB filter.

external

Regent is the manufacturer of this product. You can try to contact them. Over time the bio sponge will erode, and I have replaced mine with pond filter padding from my local fish/pond store. Green Scrubber can work fine if you double it up. By removing that you did destroy the Benificial bacteria, but your gravel and all the other items house that bacteria as well. Just make sure you cycle your tank well before adding live stock. Google the nitrogen cycle if you have any questions. Lots of info on the web.

Wound up just buying a new filter as there are no replacments available. Will take care to keep filter rinsed so it does not clog up again. Filter works great and the fish are quite happy, I see them smiling all the time!!

Walmart has replacement filters. I use live plants. I think they are called Anacharis Plants. My goldfish eat them. It seems to keep them healthy.

You might want to contact Aqua-tech
http://www.aqua-tech.biz/sites/aquatech/content.aspx?menu_id=34&id=56

Otherwise you may just need to buy a whole new filter set that comes with the bio pad again.

No, but if you NEED to you can pull the tube up until the flow is reduced enough, then place a block of foam under the "U" tube so it stays.

I can say my Aqua-Tech has been up and running now for nearly 10 years with no problems. No, it does not have a control valve like the Marineland (which does indeed make Aqua-Tech). I have found their filter media are interchangeable. Also been please with how quiet it operates.

Actually this filter IS NOT very cheaply made, Aqua-Tech is made by Marineland, which is one of the best brands in the fish tank business.

While it does not have a flow control feature that does not mean it's cheaply made, it simply means it does not have a flow control feature.

If you don't believe that Aqua-Tech is made by Marineland, look on the bottom of the filter's box, look on the internet, talk to anyone that knows anything about fish tank parts & see for yourself.

It's a very good quality filter, that other guy clearly doesn't know what he's talking about.

no, but you must fill it back up with water. this is called priming

No, when the power goes out, unplug the filter, and when the power turns back on, prime it, and replug it.

I have run 3 tanks of various sizes and filters. The Aqua-Tech 5-15 seems to prime itself and start working again after I have had power outages.