Decreasing flow on a Fluval 304

[StarStruck8]

I've had Rena Filstar canister filters on all of my tanks, and I am used to being able to adjust the flow rate using the spray bar. When I bought a 40 gallon tank it came with a Fluval 304 so I'm a little out of my canister filter league. I bought the spraybar piece thinking it would allow me to adjust the flow, but alas it does not. Is there something I am missing that is adjustable? I have the water outlet tube only halfway pointing into the spray bar to decrease it a little bit. My poor endler fry are getting blown around the tank! At this point I was just going to cram the filter full of filter floss and hope for the best.

Are there any tips/tricks/blatantly obvious things that I have missed? As soon as I have more money I am considering getting a Rena just to get back into my comfort zone...:nilly:

 

[BettaFishMommy]

maybe turn the spraybar so that the holes are facing the back wall of the tank? i have no personal experience with any canister other than the rena xp's (which i love!).

 

[Willard2.0]

You can decrease the flow with the aqua-stop valve that connects the hoses to the canister itself. On that valve thingy there are 2 levers, the top one to stop the water flow, the bottom one to release the valve from the canister. Simply lift the top lever until you are happy with the flow.
Just make sure you don't block more than ~50% of the flow or it is hard on the impeller and motor.

 

[StarStruck8]

You can decrease the flow with the aqua-stop valve that connects the hoses to the canister itself. On that valve thingy there are 2 levers, the top one to stop the water flow, the bottom one to release the valve from the canister. Simply lift the top lever until you are happy with the flow.
Just make sure you don't block more than ~50% of the flow or it is hard on the impeller and motor.

Thanks! I figured that Fluvals should have a control mechanism...without the manual I would never have figured it out!

 

[ExPeNsIvE HoBbY]

Plus when you get into large aquariums/ large filters, you will find new comfort in the fluval filters considering no Rena can come close to a fluval's performance. Just look at the FX5 and reconsider your comfort zone when you get a +125gal tank. I run 3 large fluval's including 2 405's and one Fx5 on my 135gal tanks. They are pretty beast for under $250.

 

[StarStruck8]

Plus when you get into large aquariums/ large filters, you will find new comfort in the fluval filters considering no Rena can come close to a fluval's performance. Just look at the FX5 and reconsider your comfort zone when you get a +125gal tank. I run 3 large fluval's including 2 405's and one Fx5 on my 135gal tanks. They are pretty beast for under $250.

One day I would love to get a 180 gallon tank, but that day is waaayyy off into the future when I finally graduate from school and get a real job! So far I prefer the Rena since I think it is easier to deal with (I'm going to destroy that ribbed tubing..it doesn't do what I want it to!) and much quieter, but this is also the first used filter I have had so I am spoiled. I may have to look into replacing the impeller or something since it rattles. By the time I replace the parts I should have just gotten a new filter! :headshake2: