Need help with Fluval 305

[tomany]

I got this Fluval when I puchased a used tank. I printed out the manuel online. I am trying to do maintenance on it so I can set it up. I am having a hard time getting the cover off. In the instruction on page EN-18 it states;
5. Release the lift-lock clamps, then push down on clamps to lift the cover/pump housing off the canister and set it aside.

What position should the clamps be in when you push down? If they are out like a set of wings it looks like they would break off. If in against the housing I am having no luck getting it off.
The person I bought it from said he had a leak but would fix it with plumbers tape, I have no idea where he would have put the tape. Could it be between the housing and the canister?

[snoopy65]

They need to be out like wings. Slowly push down with constant pressure and the seal should break free. If you quickly push, they could break off.

[jackiomy]

I always have a hard time getting the top off. Make sure the latches are up like wings, then I use a flat head screwdriver or the handle of a spoon between the top and the canister and gently pry up with the spoon.

[tyler79durdan]

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Im sure he plumbers taped the motor housing around the seal...

Make sense... why do it right anyway :) :duh:

[tomany]

Do you think the plumbers tape will make it harder to get off? Thanks everyone for the answers

[tomany]

Thanks tyler for the parts info. I don't know what I will find if I ever get into it. My understanding is it has been sitting for awhile with aquarium water in it. I've not had a cannister before.

[roscoe70]

I have to pry the top off of mine, with the latches out like wings, as above. I would order new O-rings and that is the first thing to replace after you remove the plumbers tape, the ring deal is from a recent bad experience, now I have three on hand. It is difficult to pull the motor housing off of the canister, just pry slowly and it will come free. I'm pretty sure the tape is not making the job easier. Good luck.

[tomany]

I have another question. The silver lever on the aqua tube assemly-is it suppose to be permanently attached or a seperate piece? I have the piece but can not figure out where it goes to get the assembly off. If it is suppose to be permanently attached, will it work porperly? I did get the housing off using the "pry it off" technique:)

[tyler79durdan]

If I remember correctly... The "Aqua Stop" valve disconnects for sevicing the filter... It has a lever in between the in and out with gradual lines representing flow... That lever is part of the valve, but as I said, the valve comes out
http://s3.amazonaws.com/tc-photos/11442/product/giant/510988.jpg

-Aaron

[tomany]

That's the lever I have, I found it in the bottom of the bucket. But it doesn't look like it has been broken. Still can't get it back in where it belongs and can't get the auto stop value out. Will the pump work with out it in place or will it leak?

[tyler79durdan]

You found it in the bottom of a bucket?


So its not connected to the top of the Fluval?


Notice the black lever is all the way up in the picture?
The only way to lift the silver lever(in picture) completely is with the black lever all the way up!

Also the only way to "seat" the valve is with the silver lever all the way up.

Is this what you are asking?

Im having a hard time understanding your post...

-Aaron

[tomany]

When I bought the tank the fluval was in a plastic tub, thats the way I carried it home. When I took the fluval out of the tub the silver piece was in the tub. The silver lever is not attached to the value.

[tomany]

The aqua stop value is connected to the housing at this time. I can do media changes by just taking the housing off with the hoses attached. I was wanting to know with the silver piece not being where it should, would the value assembly leak.

[tyler79durdan]

So the silver latch/lever is broken off?

If it broke off in the closed/in housing position, It should not leak...

If it broke off in the open/up position, the pressure might blow the "aqua stop" out of the housing...

If I were you, I might save my pennies for a new "aqua stop" for a 305.

-Aaron

[tomany]

I can get a new aqua stop at BigAls for $12, but in the meantime how do I get the old one out?? Any ideas? I'm beginning to think I don't like cannisters:(

[koipoloi]

Warning! Dont ever pry off the lid with a screw driver or spoon handle. You take a big chance of marring the area where the cannister seals. I find if I loosen the clamps, hold the lower portion against my chest then grasp one of the clamps and pull up it is pretty easy to get it off. Much easier than trying to remove it while it is setting on a countertop.

[tyler79durdan]

Im beginning top think you dont like BROKEN/SECOND HAND canisters. :)

Buy new, or really spend time checking out what you buy/inherit used.

-Aaron

[Que]

This is a good cannister and I think it would be worth while to fix it. If the silver aquastop lever broke off in the latched down position I don't know how you can get the aquastop valve off the top.

I also don't recommend prying the top off. It should come off with some effort.

I've had my 305 for 4 years now without any troubles.

Q

[tyler79durdan]

Fluvals are great filters, and I would caution one against using a Fluval if they were injecting CO2. The design of the Fluval causes the CO2 to create an air pocket near the impeller and have been notorious for rattling impellers when used with CO2 injected tanks.

-Aaron