Last night I was just sitting at home when the power went out. It was off for a good 4-5 hours. When it came back on the first thing I did was got to my room to set the filter back up. I started pouring water in it hoping to get it started, but nothing happened, it wasn't even making the noise. So I took it off and cleaned it all out and put it back on, it still wasn't making the noise. I left it plugged in last night hoping that it may kick in at some point, it never did. My fish have been 16-17 hours without filter now, and it'll be another 8 as I'm going to be in school all day. Is there a way to start my filter back up:confused:

What do I do:(

Oh dear, doesn't sound good.

The power going out might have fried the internals.
How long was it between the power coming back on and you putting water in the filter?
It doesn't take long for the motor to burn out and if it was going for any amount of time with no water running through it it can kill it.

How old was the filter as well?
Some times if they are old sitting for any amount of time can cause the internals to seize up.
When you took it apart did you make sure everything that used to move still moved?

The power outage may have fried the internal motor.

I think you should just get a new filter. Those things are a pain to try and fix on and almost never work in the end.

Do you have an air bubbler? As long as you have oxygen pumping into the tank, you should be OK. You may also want to take out some water and add fresh, cold water. Cold water has oxygen in it. It can help you limp along before you're able to replace the filter.

I came home today to find that my mom had bought me a new filter. I was very grateful, but decided to take another crack at the old one. After a VERY GOOD clean I tried it again and thankfully it started working. Tomorrow were going to return the filter she bought, and buy another 500' of wire for Rex's inground fence... Can't wait, it'll take me a good 1-2 days to dig for it and a few days of training, but then he'll be aloud to run free in the front too! So excited!! ;)

If this is a magnetic drive outside filter, then there is usually a way to stop the motor with your finger. Note, if there is a spinning wheel external to the filter.

When you stop it momentarilty with your finger, the magnets get a chance to align and it will start pumping again.