Fluval 203 Problems

[yashinfan]

I have a fluval 203 on my 30 gallon and ever since the power failure it hasn't been working quite right. So I tried to fix it today and it seems to be working WORSE. Now it is making whirring noises and starts shaking. There's air bubbles coming out of my intake as well. Any ideas what it could be or how to fix it?? I think it has to do with the propellor but I don't want to mess with that!

 

[Frameshift]

Originally posted by yashinfan
I think it has to do with the propellor but I don't want to mess with that!

Why not? I have a Fluval 404 and cleaning the impeller is a snap. Take off the plastic cover, pull out impeller, rinse, insert. It's that easy. It's virtually impossible to screw up a canister filter by messing with the impeller.

 

[anonapersona]

Better take a look

You really need to check that out, just open it up. Could be a snail is in the way, or just junk that fell in the way when the power was off.

You don't want to burn it up you know!

 

[yashinfan]

The plastic ring keeps falling off and I can't make it stay!! Also, I can't open the part where the impellor is and how do I know if there's something wrong with it? It looks fine but it doesn't SOUND fine when I turn it on. I have made quite a flood in my room because of the filter by now so I really need some help!

 

[anonapersona]

Time for customer service!

If you got this from a LFS, call them to ask for help, or try calling Fluval, they probably have a help line.

 

[yashinfan]

I bought it second-hand and it worked fine until the blackout. It's definitely something with the impellor because we looked at it even when it's not attached to the rest of the filter and it makes that awful sound. We'll have to find a way to open it, maybe I will ask a LFS because they don't KNOW I didn't buy it there...