Equipment Review and Discussion :: My new filter "farts"

[jerry turtle]

I just bought a new fluval 404 canister filter, I got it up and running but every once and a while it shoots short burst of bubbles. Is this going to be an issue and should I fix it or can I just leave it?

[mikee]

j-t -- It is not flatulent! It is sucking air from your intake side or you did not get all the air out when you put it back together. If it continues, check you Intake or suction side of your tubing and piping. m.

[marisa]

You could try to "burp" the filter---move the canister from side to side a bit to help the trapped air out of it.

[jerry turtle]

Is this going to lead to bigger problems? I kink of like the idea of random air bubbles?

[Daniel3507]

i dont think its the best thing for a filter. if you like the bubbles you could always get an airstone

[Chrisbarnett]

It isn't going to lead to bigger problems. I have a Fluval 404 as well and it gets air trapped in the media easily when I clean it. It lets off bubbles for a few days every time I open it up to clean it. Kind of annoying actually.

I usually do what Marisa suggested however and it drastically cuts down how long the filter lets out micro bubbles.

[mikee]

j-t -- The only other thing that could cause the air bubbles is cavitation. If a pump does cavitates it will make a noise as cavitation does. That is usually caused by a partial blockage in intake side. m.

[jenaero]

Pop out the hoses from the top of the filter and check the water level in the canister. If you can't see the water thru the holes, add more until it's almost at the top. Pop the hoses back in and you should be good to go.

[seanwb]

You may not like this response but...

I have a retired 404 that did this all its working life. I never had a similar issue with other canistors.

It is normal to get bubbles from the filter for a day or so after you clean it, if this is what is happening do not worry. Also do not worry, as a few bubbles going through every now and then will not harm it but it will still be annoying.

With my the 404, it happened intermittently for weeks & weeks afer cleaning in fact until I cleaned it again.

Various people who I respected had various theories which may be worth trying if it continues. Ones I can remember are below. The number of different people who independently mentioned the o-ring was interesting.
1. Air is getting in on the inlet side - check all the joints - I did
2. Check the o-ring is fitted correctly - I did
3. Replace the O-ring - I did
4. Make sure the O-ring is wet before you fit it as otherwise it will not seat properly - I did
5. Make sure the O-ring is dry before you fit it as otherwise it will not seat properly - I did
6. Lubricate the O-ring with vaseline before you fit it or it will leak - I did, but was then not certain about "oiling" my fish
7. Buy an Eheim next time - I did
8. The bacteria are creating gas, due to the design of the 404 large bubbles can build up and it is just that being expelled, you will need to live with it - I did
9. It is a known issue with 404s especially in marine tanks, you will need to live with it - I did
10. Make sure it is under the tank rather than alongside - I moved it to the floor to try, and it may have slightly improved, but did not totally resolve.

Nearly everyone prefaced their comment with "It is a powerful filter and cheap" as if that was an excuse for it. Nearly all said it was a known problem, but only affected a few people.

Curiously, Fluval seem to have designed into the FX5 the ability pause every 24 hours and allow trapped air to be expelled. My 404 never got more than about 30 minutes.

My 404 remains retired, as I would find the noise to annoying in my office. Every now and then I look at it with two thoughts.
1. That would really help filter the pond, I might try it one day in the hope it will be quiet
2. Why did I not demand my money back and replace it with an Eheim?

If you continue to have problems, and they annoy you, then I suggest you take it back sooner rather than later.

Just as I finish this I did a google search on "Fluval 404 air". It seems my problems were not unique.

Just to reiterate, although this is a known problem, it only affects a few people, and most people are really happy with these filters.

I hope this helps rather than depresses, and I am sure it will create an army of turtle owners correctly saying that they have found it to be an excellent, quiet, powerful filter with large media capacity.

Sean

[jerry turtle]

I seem to get the best reaction when I shake it side to side. Thank you for all the responses, when I replace the media I will try to make sure it has no air, maybe I just need to get better at getting it running.