A question for fuval canister users.

[DontPetTheWater]

I have a 404 and 304, they were both secondhand.

304/404 PDF
http://www.marineandreef.com/v/vspfiles/pdf/Fluval_MSF_Manual.pdf
page 8&17 part "J"
5 series
http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/Fluval_series5_manual.pdf
page 5&21

Again, this seems to be a NEW feature so older models and manuals won't show it.

 

[H3D]

304/404 PDF
http://www.marineandreef.com/v/vspfiles/pdf/Fluval_MSF_Manual.pdf
page 8&17 part "J"
5 series
http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/Fluval_series5_manual.pdf
page 5&21

Again, this seems to be a NEW feature so older models and manuals won't show it.

Thanks. I knew they had made several versions of the 04 series. I going to have to look at my 405 more closely cause I don't remember ever seeing that ball thingy, and my intake looks completely different.

 

[DontPetTheWater]

NP, you would def remember cause it sits in the intake strainer. It apparently can be retrofit if you wanted one on your older model, but not sure if the ball actually improves it or if its just another new gadget.

 

[krytan]

304/404 PDF
http://www.marineandreef.com/v/vspfiles/pdf/Fluval_MSF_Manual.pdf
page 8&17 part "J"
5 series
http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/Fluval_series5_manual.pdf
page 5&21

Again, this seems to be a NEW feature so older models and manuals won't show it.

Thanks, i think i'm going to try them without the balls for a while and see what happens.
IMO not all new features that manufacturers add to their products make them better.

 

[rocky213]

my fluval 305 has ball on the intake also let me know how it goes without the ball krytan

 

[will74]

ball

It makes priming a whole lot easier because it doesn't let the water back out the input.

 

[H3D]

Upon inspection during my water change my 405 does in fact have this ball as well. LOL

 

[DontPetTheWater]

lol, I guess I was wrong saying you couldn't miss it.

 

[powercompact]

Fluval 404 / 405 Check Ball

Hey There Guys,

The check ball is vital to making the self primer function effectively.

It is present on both the 04 and 05 series fluvals.

During normal operation the check ball is completely out of the way, but during priming it moves back and forth with each stroke of the self-primer to prevent water from flowing out the intake tube.

It shouldn't impede flow, as Fluval designed the filters to have maximum flow with the check ball in place.

As for the "new and improved" version on the 05 series - the intake screen itself is significantly larger in diameter, and this does a lot to prevent premature clogging of the intake.

Hope this helps!

-Joe at TheAquaticDepot.com

 

[johnhoover]

I think powercompact described it really well. I've got one on my 405. The only problem I've had is having small plant parts caught by the ball and slowing down the water flow. While I had small leaf plants, I just pulled off the strainer with each water change and made sure it was clear.