HELP!!! Filter stopped!!!

Dub-Dub

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Sep 27, 2004
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Okay so I have a one-month old Fluval 202, and I noticed this AM that when my fish swam by the output valve, they didn't get moved by it. So I stuck my hand in, and sure enough, nothing. It was working this weekend, I am sure of that... and I haven't done anything to it since. Why would it stop? What would cause it?

Secondly, I tried to follow the directions to get it going again, but nothing. Assuming it is not a more serious problem (and I am not sure I can assume that) how does one get the syphon going again? I tried pumping it a hundred times, but it didn't take... is there a special method?

Any info would be appreciated.
 
Thanks, I had read that thread recently, and tried the tipping... I don't know maybe I'll try the bucket when I get home. It pumps water through... I mean, it is full of water, and with the primer it sucks in more and pushes some out, but it doesn't get to the level of suction to get go on its own. Hmmmm.....

I really am at a loss as to why it would stop.
 
Check the tubes--something could be lodged within one (snails are infamous for clogging tubing, more so in SW, but I've seen it in FW as well). When was it last cleaned? The media compartments need to be checked, particularly if there is no mechanical filtration on the intakes.
 
Thanks OG. It is a new tank, so there really isn't anything in the tank to clog it up... one fish, and gravel. I will take it appart when I get home and start from scratch.

Love this site!
 
Canister filter damage inspection, check these things

Now, the most likely problem is that when you primed the unit there was some air left in the unit and during a brief power outage that air drifted back up the input line, breaking siphon. Then the unit tried to come on again, if there is a heat shut off like the Eheim, it has shut down to protect itself.

A leak on the intake line will do that, also, and if the impeller well cover is off it cannot pump. So, check the hose connections on the inlet and outlet first -- an inlet leak will allow air in, an outlet leak will spray water. Then check the impeller cover.

Since I just spend a long time on the phone with Hawaiian Marine getting help on the Eheim I thought I'd destroyed, I can walk you through some things to check. I'll just assume that most of these things will be similar.

So, first, check the hoses. No, wait, first be sure the unit actually has power, is it plugged in and any power directors switches on, any GFI blown in the circut? Be sure the outlet has power!

Now, check the hoses. A bubble on the inlet line tells you that you got air in somehow. Any airstones nearby? If not, then the hose may be leaking somewhere on that inlet line, check all connections. check your valves -- any left closed (been there, done that, Eheim 2213 survived that for 3 hours)

If not found, proceed to open up the canister. Check to see the impeller well cover is closed. If that looks good, remove it and remove the impeller to check for damage. Put some metal thing like a straightened paperclip into the impeller well and turn the unit on, if it vibrates it is getting power. Inspect the impeller for cracks or serious looking marks. (If the rubber bushing stays in the bottom of the well, don't worry about it, you will have to remove it to replace the impellor or shaft but it is Ok to leave it there for now).

Reassemble the pump head and run about 2" of water into the sink, put the pump head in it and turn it on -- be prepared to deflect water back into the sink if it works.

That seems to be all there is to it. You've tested the power line from the wall to the impeller well and looked at the impeller itself, tested the flow in the sink. You've looked at the lines, the shutoffs and the connections.

Just a postcript to my own filter troubles, I managed to put the Pro2Thermofilter back together out of parts from the other Pro2, switching heads and impeller covers and gaskets since the Thermo had a bad head and good cover and gasket, the other had a bad cover and bad gasket on a good head. So, now I have just one unit out of service needing an impeller well cover which I've ordered and maybe a gasket, which I already have on hand I think and that may actually fix the problem, or maybe not -- I'm still not certain that the head is bad or if it was just on thermal shutdown. A $4 part will tell me if I need to order a $80 head (unavailable) or a full replacement unit (and kick myself around the block for messing it up)

Meanwhile I've also ordered an impeller well cover for the Fluval 303 which will put it back into service.
 
Thanks for all the input. I pulled it apart last night, and was able to get it going again. Still no real idea what went wrong. I'll have to be careful to see that it doesn't kick off again.
 
I've just started having similar problems with the filter.. the Fluval is supposed to be a good filtration unit.. but it's given me the #$%! since day one.. assembly was the most annoying with attatching the hoses to the aquastop valve.. ended having to get some pawpaw ointment.. which has the same lubrication properties as vaseline buts all natural.. I'm regretting buying this thing now >: /

Air seems to be getting into the intake valve from somewhere.. I'll do the 2inch water test first then get back to you.. and being that my hoses are all behind my unit.. that's goin to be the biggest pain.. perhaps I should see if I can splice a clear hose from somewhere.. that atleast can tell me if and where leaks are happening.. *ponders if he can mod his fluval* :cool: Well just the hoses.. heh

Edit: Ok.. worked that the pump head is fine.. had water goin everywhere in the kitchen O_O So I can only gather that the inlet pipe has either a hole in it.. or one of the connections is dodgy to it O_o
 
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Golden Ouroboro said:
I've just started having similar problems with the filter.. the Fluval is supposed to be a good filtration unit.. but it's given me the #$%! since day one.. assembly was the most annoying with attatching the hoses to the aquastop valve.. ended having to get some pawpaw ointment.. which has the same lubrication properties as vaseline buts all natural.. I'm regretting buying this thing now >: /

Air seems to be getting into the intake valve from somewhere.. I'll do the 2inch water test first then get back to you.. and being that my hoses are all behind my unit.. that's goin to be the biggest pain.. perhaps I should see if I can splice a clear hose from somewhere.. that atleast can tell me if and where leaks are happening.. *ponders if he can mod his fluval* :cool: Well just the hoses.. heh

Edit: Ok.. worked that the pump head is fine.. had water goin everywhere in the kitchen O_O So I can only gather that the inlet pipe has either a hole in it.. or one of the connections is dodgy to it O_o

Take it back these have a 3 year warrentee, I had a leak with a 204 and took it back to PS and they creditted me and I upgraded to a 304 (I didn't even have my reciept).
 
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