Fluval 404 woes

[fishorama]

As some of you know I don't clean my canister filters often, just when the flow slows. The 404 is a PITA, hard to get the top off & it almost always takes 2 tries to get it happy again. Either the impeller isn't quite right or the quick connect is hard to seat or something. Finally got it back together & working! Then OH NO there's a pinhole leak in the return hose right at the tank top! When I moved it, the entire hose cracked between the corrugations & then between more of them .

Luckily I had already found all the pieces to a Rena XP3 in the garage. I just had to remember how to put it together, dump the 404's ceramic media in a basket or 2 & attach everything. I knew I needed to soak the hose ends in hot water to get them on the fittings. Well the stiff hose knocked over the mug I was using & it's amazing how far less than a cup of water can go! It didn't help that it's now dark early & my kitchen ceiling lights don't work (see another thread on that fun).

But the Rena started right up The only problem is the hoses are a bit too long & & I should have traded it to the other end of the tank with the AC 70. The hoses had to cross & the intake & return are crooked but I'm too tired tonight to care. Luckily there are leftovers for dinner after I clean up all the water spills & drips. Time for a glass of wine & ibuprofen. Thank goodness my husband knows when to help, when to leave the area, loves leftovers & that I may need a backrub too. Gah! What a day!

 

[FreshyFresh]

Oh no! How long have you had the 404 in service? I didn't realize those had corrugated hoses like that.

I haven't opened up my 3 canisters in probably 4-5 months. Probably should get on it, but like you say I don't care for the process much at all.

My Marineland C-360 and one of my Sunsun 302s has been going strong on all original seals and parts for 7yrs.

 

[fishorama]

I've had going for 6 years or so. But it's older than that, it came with a tank & angels. I know things don't last forever but since that part never really moves I'm surprised that's where it broke. Maybe the heat from the lights?
I know I won't be using it again for a long while if ever. I still have a couple Renas in the garage stash. I remember having minor issues sometimes, mostly air trapped making them noisy until I tilted & shook it. Difficult in the closed stands. I'll see how I feel when it's time to move clean this 1, hopefully not for a while.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Sounds like a plan. I've never used a Rena or penn-plax or what ever they're called today, but have always heard great things about them.

 

[fishorama]

Just an update on my Rena 3 (Not a Penn-plax, I think those were Cascades. I now see API Renas, who knew?)

Today I cleaned it for the first time & I'd forgotten how fast canister cleaning can be!!! Easy to take apart & put back together, no swearing or prying apart involved . The hoses are still too long but a bit of tilting to get the air out & it's all good. Shortening the hoses is a different project but I did add a prefilter sponge. I should be good for several more months!

It may be that my Fluval was old & Renas were my first canisters, so easier for me. I'm not dis-ing Fluval, just very glad cleaning went fast!!! today.

 

[dougall]

I'll vote for Rena/API/MARS too.

Not a fan of Fluval filters at all. But they are getting better, I have a canister and couple of Aquaclears laying around from last year, just not used them at this point.

Do like their tanks and lights though.

 

[fishorama]

I still have 2 more Rena 3s in the garage stash but could only find shorter hose pieces...might be long enough for the 110g...but again, another project for another day

 

[dougall]

You can just go buy more hose.

 

[fishorama]

LOL, when I need it. I don't want even more stuff in the garage. Our car actually fits in it now! I didn't hunt super hard for hoses or other parts, they're somewhere! I hate buying stuff I know I have...