I notice many are complaining about the 'new' filters. I am not. The reason is I put a point of cleaning the filter, the pump and the fountain every 2 weeks. I don't continue to add water every couple of days and expect it to run flawlessly without regular maintenance. Just like any other equipment with moving parts that requires regularly scheduled maintainence. I mark it on our kitchen calendar so it reminds me to clean the fountain - completely. Same as cleaning an air filter in your house! My only complaint is that I can't find the replacement filters or foam filter replacements in the stores where I bought the fountain! So, I had to resort to buying them online.