Equipment Review and Discussion :: Xp1 filter maintance question/help

[ZombieTurtle]

i got a xp1 canister filter not to long ago, and its about time to clean it. Last time i went to clean it though i unplugged it (and the book said release the quick disconnect value), so i did that right after, assuming after that the water will somehow leave the tubes. so i did that and nothing happened with the water in the tubes so i can open up the filter to do the cleaning (the filter is on the floor and tank is on my dresser). i figured maybe if i slowly pull the quick disconnect value off maybe the water will flow out of the pipes, so i slowly moved it a little and i heard noise and a few drops of water came out so i quickly put the disconnect value back on (didnt make a mess only few drops of water).
basically i dont know how to get the water out of the in/out tubes without making a big mess everywhere so i can take out hte filter media etc..

when i first went to do this i figured it would kinda be like when the filter first primed and all the water rushed from tank into the filter, but i figured it would do the opposite somehow get the water out of the tubes (not the actual filter).
well if anyone could give me advice on how they accomplish shutting off the filter/disconnecting the tubes (without making a mess) etc.

[SpotsMama]

First turn off the power then disconnect the tubes. Wait a couple of seconds before removing the tube holder from the filter. The water won't run out of the tubes all over the place. Maybe a few drops will drip but that's all. I do it every month and haven't had any water damage at all.

Something that might give you comfort - let your canister sit under the tank in a plastic tub with sides that are several inches high. I do that in case the canister ever springs a leak. It won't protect against all eventualities but it will protect against some.

[ZombieTurtle]

thanks, i wasnt to comfortable with taking the tube holder out of the filter being unsure of what was going to happen, especially after it made a strange bubbling noise and i saw few drops of water come out, so i decided to look into this further before experimenting.
thank you.