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Whenever my filters make noises like that, I unplug them, scrub them out to make sure nothing is causing the noise and that usually does the trick. It could be sand caught somewhere inside.

Maybe it's a good thing you added more ammonia since you won't be able to get to the fish store for a while. Should be sorted out by then.

Here's a quick update cause I should be leaving for work now but I'm too tired to care.

So, I dunno if I wrote yet but yes I did like a 90% water change and the ammonia was still high. I left the filter off overnight, turned it on when I left in the AM and let it work itself out. It seems to have trouble sucking the water up cause it will be at if for like an hour if I don't help it get started. Propped up properly it was running quietly when I got home about 13hrs later. BUT, it still goes all pissy like every hour. My theory is it's just taking longer to work itself out this time around. I really DONT want to unplug it again for fear of it getting worse. So I'm gona leave it again for the day and pray tonight it at least lets me sleep through the night. I tested the ammonia when I got home after leaving the filter on all day. The ammonia was at zero. Nitrites still really high. Those took a lot longer to go down last time. Not bothering with a water change till it's closer to fish time. I'm thinking Friday for getting the fish. But like I think I mentioned, no car means either getting a lift, or fishies will have a bus ride.

I was really hoping to have my car though so I could check both aquarium before making a final decision. They are NOT close enough together it would take like a 20-30min bus ride there and then back. crying

Ima try to renew my license today so I could maybe borrow a car or something. Even though I hate my mom's new car and doubt she'll let me borrow it and I'm not comfortable driving my brother's manual car by myself. Sooo ya, might be another week or more.

Here's the latest guys, it has been quite the adventure. I can't believe it's been about a month now I've that this current tank. It was touch and go with the sand, the filter has a temper, the cycle got restarted kind of. But alas TOMORROW I GET FISH!!!

Yup, zero nitrites in the tank once more. Nitrates are quite low. Of course I will water change before I get the fish. I'm picking up my car tomorrow am before work. After work it is off to the fish store to purchase my very first fish (sushi was rescued from school)

Pretty anxious.

Yay! I demand pics as soon as you can! What are you going to get first?

I'm so excited for you Gabby!!! When you get your fish all of the stress and time will be worth it.

OOHH MMYYY GGAAWWDD! I HAVE fish but now NNOOWW my filter is just dead. K, I was water changing, and it didn't like that so it was making noise, I GENTLY slapped it and it stopped with the loud obnoxiousness but it was making sort of a rumbling noise. Like I could live with it, but I though maybe the fish would be stressed by it. So I finally did what you suggested. Unplugged it, pulled the motor out (by the way, water EVERYWHERE! fail) cleaned it with a Q tip and yes it was full of gunk. Put the motor back in, plugged it back in... NOTHIING! It won't even turn on WHAT THE HELL I have fish in a bag in my room and my filter won't even turn on!

Edit: RRAAWWRR I HATE THIS FILTER! K, I cleaned the s**t out of it and plugged it back in and it seemed to run fine. I then moved the stupid head over to adjust the strength or wtv u call it. Now NON STOP DYING NOISES!!!

SSSSSHHHHH it's running ninja

I'm scared that if I touch it...it will break crying but the current is a bit strong right now. I think I'll let it run then slooowwwlllyyy bit by bit nudge it over. The temp is too hot for my fishies right now. I used water from my bathtub since it's closet and just didn't think to make it colder and let the heater bring it up.

The filter is still a bit noisy, like it pulls the water up in bursts or something. Anyway, like I say, NOT touching it right now. Once the fish are in I'll submerse my cam and leave it on continuous picture mode then see what I get. I also have my dad's cam that is charging.

EDIT: kay, this is crazy how many times it's fixed but not and then worse and then better.

AT THIS POINT I've got it about... well where it was at the first time it got unplugged. Which is making the irritating noise every 30secs-1min. So I THINK like last time, if I just let it run, it will shut up.

Now my worry is basically that the weird noise going off once in a while will stress the fish. So I dunno if I should put them in the tank. I dunno if being in the plastic bag is MORE stressful . I dunno if I should leave the filter running on high which seems to make the bad noise less often. I guess I will just wait it out a bit longer to start and see if the filter works itself out before I go to bed.

Put the fish in the tank, they'll be ok. You have to remember that they are shipped across the country (or atleast the state), so they can handle more then you think. I would get a new filter, but save that one incase you need it. Leave it running as long as you can. If you have to turn it off, then just hook an air pump up to the tank and do water changes every couple of days untill you get a new one.

Cant wait for pics!