View Full Version : Help, I cannot take my canister apart
BreezeRuehls
09-21-2009, 11:04 PM
Yeah, I am not strong enough, And I honestly dont know how. I bought a filter pad for it, but I cannot open it!!!!! Will it shoot water? Do I take the hoses off? I am in way over my head. Ch-47 didnt tell me how to do it before he left, :cry::cry::cry:
Its a 350
The Zigman
09-21-2009, 11:12 PM
is it a magnum 350
or a marineland 350?
Whats it look like?
She said Canister so I assume it's a Mag.
Make sure you open the quick disconnect to pop the top off, you need to relieve pressure if they are both closed.
BreezeRuehls
09-21-2009, 11:31 PM
She said Canister so I assume it's a Mag.
Make sure you open the quick disconnect to pop the top off, you need to relieve pressure if they are both closed.
Mag yes, but everything else you just said:hypnotized: whhaa???
The Zigman
09-21-2009, 11:34 PM
A marineland canister looks similar to this..
http://www.pawscorp.com/images/3764570t400.jpg
And this is a magnum 350...
http://images.buzzillions.com/images_products/05/30/magnum-marineland-350-convertible-canister-filter_672876_175.jpg
they are both canisters...
jpappy789
09-21-2009, 11:34 PM
Maybe this will help:
http://www.marineandreef.com/v/vspfiles/pdf/magnum_manual.pdf
The Zigman
09-21-2009, 11:35 PM
If its a mag 350, you'll need to open one of the valves at the top where the hoses are to release the vaccuum. you'll never open it with it full of water, and having both valves closed..
BreezeRuehls
09-21-2009, 11:35 PM
def a mag, thanks for the link pappy
BreezeRuehls
09-21-2009, 11:37 PM
So I have to yank the tube off? I cannot, LOL, I am weak! Is this gonna make a huge mess?
BreezeRuehls
09-21-2009, 11:41 PM
I looked at the link, and I dont understand it! Can any one tell me like A,B,C. My brain hurts!
The Zigman
09-21-2009, 11:44 PM
are there valves attached to the hoses on the top of the filter?
BreezeRuehls
09-21-2009, 11:46 PM
nope, just hoses to the plastic tubes
The Zigman
09-22-2009, 12:09 AM
Usually there is a valve, and a coupler, to disconnect the hose...
without the coupler there will be a vaccuum created by the water trapped in the canister, and hoses...
You might have to remove a hose from the output of the tank, but you will most likely get drenched from water siphoning out of the tank through the return hose...
Hmmm
is the return hose attached to the tank somehow?
or can you remove it from the tank?
theredchaser
09-22-2009, 12:47 AM
Hmm... First, follow the tubing all the way on the input side to see if there's any valve whatsoever. If you don't see any valve, then you're in for a mess.
1) go buy 2 valves for your hoses
2) unplug filter !!!!important!!!!!!
3) place canister in a bucket or container because water is going to flood out.
4) Lift the intake tube out of the tank. The output should be taken out too if its below the water line. Just place the hoses on top of the tank and secure it so it doesn't flop off and spill water.
5) Take the clips off the canister filter that's holding the black upper piece (the one with the hoses attached) with the clear cylinder piece. Then slide the black upper piece off and let the water from the hoses spill out. If you had valves this wouldn't be a problem but... oh well. Be sure that the water in the output hose is completely drained out.
6) Do whatever you need to do with the canister filter.
7) Install the valves that you bought on both hoses, preferably near where the hoses attach to the canister filter. You need to take off any hose clamps that's securing the hose to the canister filter and just pull. Pulling from side to side helps.
8) Put some water in the canister filter if you emptied it, reassemble everything, put the intake tube back in the tank.
9) Now you need to plug the filter back in and quickly suck on the output hose to establish a siphon. Sometimes you need to keep repeating to help out the filter at first.
You should curse whoever installed that canister filter for not installing the "optional" quick disconnect valves.
BreezeRuehls
09-23-2009, 12:52 AM
wow, this is gonna suck, LOL
RodInCALIFORNIA
09-23-2009, 2:23 AM
cant you find a neighbor to help? this is not as hard as it seems. if you dont have cut off valves to shut off the water going into and out of filter just turn the filter off & have someone help you lift it up and carefully lift the hoses out of the aquarium careful some water will drain out of the tubes and drain back in the aquarium just hold a towel under the end of the hoses while you and your help carry it out side unsnap the 4 metal clips on the lid and have your helper help you gently lift up on the black lid and it will come off it just fits snug and do your maintance fill up to level mark replace lide making sure it lines up on the small fill pipe inside of canister the push down on the black lid make sure the lid seal is on properly snap the 4 metal clips on the lid set it back on the motor put the 2 hoses back in the aquarium and turn it on and your done really it just takes a few minutes to service a magnum 350. if you dont have the valves on the hoses dont worry about them just leave it like it is till who ever owns this aquarium gets home and let them add them if they want them i dont use them on mine.
BreezeRuehls
09-25-2009, 1:47 AM
I got it taken apart, I ended up having to flip it over to drain it out of the tubes into a bucket, and after all that work, the thing wont turn on!!!!! ARGE!!!!
BreezeRuehls
09-25-2009, 1:48 AM
cant you find a neighbor to help? this is not as hard as it seems. if you dont have cut off valves to shut off the water going into and out of filter just turn the filter off & have someone help you lift it up and carefully lift the hoses out of the aquarium careful some water will drain out of the tubes and drain back in the aquarium just hold a towel under the end of the hoses while you and your help carry it out side unsnap the 4 metal clips on the lid and have your helper help you gently lift up on the black lid and it will come off it just fits snug and do your maintance fill up to level mark replace lide making sure it lines up on the small fill pipe inside of canister the push down on the black lid make sure the lid seal is on properly snap the 4 metal clips on the lid set it back on the motor put the 2 hoses back in the aquarium and turn it on and your done really it just takes a few minutes to service a magnum 350. if you dont have the valves on the hoses dont worry about them just leave it like it is till who ever owns this aquarium gets home and let them add them if they want them i dont use them on mine.
Good info, but its my tank so I gotta do it :cry:
theredchaser
09-25-2009, 2:52 AM
It won't turn on as in electrically or motor runs but no water pumping?
coach_z
09-25-2009, 8:17 AM
good luck!
go revisit the link that has been posted already for the user manual and read 'step 6 start filter' and the 'troubleshooting' section.
dundadundun
09-27-2009, 4:11 PM
http://www.linen.com/show_product/20985/?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=datafeed&utm_term=156124
you could twist a couple times, take it to your sink or outside and open it there.
that should help. keep in mind i cannot vouch for the seller but the product makes things alot simpler. you will want one for each intake and return for a total of 2.
you will drip about a teaspoon maybe of water from both sides so use a rag when you open them.