noisy and leaky fluval 204

A

aglarond

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Jun 11, 2008
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I recently acquired a used fluval 204. The guy sold it to me without telling me that it was a noisy piece of garbage that has a tiny leak.

I thought the noise might have been due to the fact that the ceramic impeller shaft was broken ... I replaced it with the correct part, no, it's still very noisy. I also thought it might be due to some grit buildup in the impeller cavity, no, I cleaned it out, still noisy. Anyone have any ideas on how to quiet it down?

Also, it leaks slowly through the edges when I press the top down on it. There is a rubber O ring around the top, it just doesn't seem to seal it very well. Anyone have any ideas on how to stop it from leaking?

So, this thread can be about three things. One, how to make canister filters less noisy. Two, how to make canister filters leak less. And three, how to avoid getting ripped off when buying used canister filters :angryfire:
 
1, put it in a small wooden box... thats what my dad did to his old compressor(he has a shop)
2. buy a new o-ring, they are cheap or you can use silicon(I think)
3. thats easy, buy from a reputable seller
 
noisy - depends on the noise, all fluvals are a little noisy from trapped air for a day or two after you first put it together while they work trapped air from the sponges out... if yours is more than that... you said the ceremic impeller shaft was busted when you got it? depends on where it was busted, but did it possibly scare up the inside of the impeller itself and maybe that also needs to be replaced. Also, check and make sure the impeller actually stops, i.e. the fins spin on the magnet about half way around, but stop. Once a fluval is working properly it is silent and I have to look for water flow or touch it to know it is on.

Leaking - make sure the o-ring is in the groove that goes around the top and that the o-ring is actually round instead of flattened off. Make sure the o-ring is not cracked or has any other obvious damage to it. Make sure the lip of the housing where the o-ring will be setting is smooth. You can use food grade silicone grease on the o-ring to make it seal better, but that will only cure a very light trickle. Replace the o-ring if needed.

ripped off - have the old owner set up the filter and run it on water in a bucket or in the sink so you can see that it works, doesn't leak and he can explain the initial noise.
 
robbob2112 said:
noisy - depends on the noise, all fluvals are a little noisy from trapped air for a day or two after you first put it together while they work trapped air from the sponges out... if yours is more than that... you said the ceremic impeller shaft was busted when you got it? depends on where it was busted, but did it possibly scare up the inside of the impeller itself and maybe that also needs to be replaced. Also, check and make sure the impeller actually stops, i.e. the fins spin on the magnet about half way around, but stop. Once a fluval is working properly it is silent and I have to look for water flow or touch it to know it is on.

Leaking - make sure the o-ring is in the groove that goes around the top and that the o-ring is actually round instead of flattened off. Make sure the o-ring is not cracked or has any other obvious damage to it. Make sure the lip of the housing where the o-ring will be setting is smooth. You can use food grade silicone grease on the o-ring to make it seal better, but that will only cure a very light trickle. Replace the o-ring if needed.

ripped off - have the old owner set up the filter and run it on water in a bucket or in the sink so you can see that it works, doesn't leak and he can explain the initial noise.
Click to expand...
well, it seems I have been PWNED again
 
1oooop said:
well, it seems I have been PWNED again
Click to expand...


Not so much, I just happen to have Fluval's and have had several of the troubles he has.

One more thing on the noise... the ceremic shaft should be inserting into the housing in a little rubber nipple to keep it centered and dampen vibration... Is that present?
 
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