Habitat - Indoor :: Sheldon's new filter is not working

[steve]

The tubes on my XP3 have small cracks on them as well. After years of use, it was inevitable. I bought some replacements on planet rena but couldn't use them because they didn't have a snug fit. Air seeping in and the pipes coming undone is not a very exciting idea. How big is Sheldon's tank?

[cutepanda86]

Sheldon is living in a 40 gallon tank.

My mom and I took it apart and put it back together as suggested. Checked the impeller, filled things back up, did as we were supposed to do last night. It seemed to work better but it was quickly back to the air sucking. So I went back behind the tank to see if something was loose and found the new bucket I had put the filter in (no more wet carpets - only bonus this weekend) had three inches of water in the bottom. Water was leaking out of the lid near the power cord. This new development caused us to disconnect it and move it out to the bathroom for reinspection.

Upon re-inspection, we discovered that the motor housing was full of water. Just like the old one was doing. The quick disconnect valve was not seating properly - no matter what we did, the valve would not go all the way down, like we thought it was doing, there was a gap that was big enough to have the water go into the motor housing - and not only that I discovered a defect in the seal on the motor housing itself! The air was coming from the fact that the plastic (none of the o-rings) that should have created a tight casing was not straight. It bowed in and caused a gap which was letting air into the system. So water was going where it didn't belong and air was leaking in.

I am returning the defective piece of junk back to the pet store this evening. My entire weekend was ruined, I spent a bunch of money, and Sheldon is very unhappy living in his 40 gallon wheelie bucket.

That being said - Has anyone heard anything good about the Fluval 305/306 filter? It says it handles 70 gallons which would be fine. Just curious if people have had good luck with it.

[Kansasslider]

If its anything like my fx it will be a good filter. I never used one but did some research on it and it looks to be a quality product.

[cutepanda86]

Thanks Kansasslider. I was doing some research too and it sounds like a great little filter. I was just curious if anyone had heard something good about it. I would get the FX6 but it seems no store has one locally. I can't wait a week to get a filter, he's already been out of his tank since Friday night.

[Kansasslider]

I understand. If you do get it let us know how you like it. Good luck.

[cutepanda86]

Thanks! I will.

[cutepanda86]

Well I bought a 406 which is the next size up. Gives me a little wiggle room for later. It seems pretty sturdy and I like the hoses better than the Filstar. let you know how it goes!

[Kansasslider]

The hoses are black ribbed like the fx? Aqua stop valves from what I remember from reaserch?

[Kansasslider]

I hope you and Sheldon like it!

[cutepanda86]

Yes, black ribbed hoses. Those work pretty good on the fx? The aqua stop valve seems sturdy too.

I hope we like it as well! Thanks for all your help Kansasslider!

[Kansasslider]

Yep the same as the fx. I think you will really like this filter compared to the filstar. I for one will never buy another filstar piece of junk. Sorry Steve! But then again you are old school. Sorry had to give a shout out to old Steve! Putting it together tonight?

[cutepanda86]

It's together and running like a dream. Sheldon is back in his home and very happy. I must agree that even in putting this filter together I found the parts more sturdy. Of course the Rena filter was better than the API. To me Rena got bought out and then they went cheap.

Always have to give Steve a shout out!

[Kansasslider]

Great. Hope it works well for ya.

[cutepanda86]

Well there seems to be an issue already. It was whisper quiet for a little while but by the time I went to bed it was noisy. I took the impeller out and it made it a little quieter but it's still not "whisper quiet". It's like a mechanical humming noise. You ever have that happen?

[cutepanda86]

Called Fluval, tried their suggestion. Didn't work. Going to call again this morning.

Anybody know a good place to get o-rings? I think one around the impeller cover and one around the impeller shaft would do the trick.