Fluval 404 Problem

[Hootchieman]

I have a Fluval 404 about 2 years old with a leaking problem. It seems that whenever the power is turned off, the main seal will start to leak. I found out the hard way the other day when the power went out and a gallon of water seeped out onto the floor. Many towels later (and the purchase of a new filter) I started to wonder if this is a common problem with the larger Fluvals. I replaced the O-ring and tried it again, only to have it start leaking once more. It seems that if the pressure of the filter is on, ie it is running, it is fine. Once the power is off however, the seal seems to relax and start leaking. Any thoughts?


Thanks

[ewok]

never noticed a problem...... :confused:

are you getting bubbles in the outflow? it would sort of seem like you must be...

are you getting the top down right? wetting the seal when you close it? if it's dry maybe it's not "seating" properly. the force from closing it could move it out of place. also check both surfaces for anything that could be holding a space, small imperfections.... algae build up.... pretty much anything.

as a last ditch effort to seal it i might try a light coat of vaseline. i *think* this would be non-toxic to fish.........

good luck

[myersrj40]

having the same problem, mine leaks though when the power is on. I gave up on it, had it for about 2 years also, decided it wasn't worth the hassle.

[Raydee]

I had 2 Fluval 404's that both leaked, one did when the power was off and the other all the time. Needless to say I replaced both with a better filter. I will NEVER recommend fluval to anyone ever again. I had a older magnum filter that ran for almost 10 years and it never leaked a single drop! I think the fact that there are only two latches on the cannister is a problem. I called Fluval a few times and they said it sounded like a def cannister and to send it back so I did. In the meantime I bought a second Fluval and in a week it started to do the same thing as the first one. I brought the second one back for a refund and when the first one finally came back I sold it!!

[JesseJ]

Leaking seals are a big problem with Fluvals. They did just release a new version of clip that holds alot better then the hold push down style. I've got a 304 of my 50 gallon that is not leaking at all. I've heard from some people that if you smear a bit of Vaseline on the O ring that it makes a better seal but I have never had to try that.