Cleaning My Filter

[jamie2010]

right guys some help PLEASE.
how do i take the top from my external filter (fluval 205) without a torrent of wter engulfing me and my living room?i unplugged it,and took the intake and outlet pipes from the tank.then like an idiot i popped the top open and whoosh it looked like id been thrown in a lake.
so for a complete fool can somebody advise me on the best way to clean my filter.
its a good job my girlfriend is at work,if she saw the state of our living room she would kill me.

 

[DevUK]

Ouch!

I have a 204 so pretty similar I expect. I've only cleaned it out once so far as I've not had it long. From reading the instructions (always a good plan! ) it advised to switch off, close the hoses off, by pulling the flow lever up (ie, the flow is stopped) and then to take the hoses off and take the whole unit to a sink or some area where water isn't going to be a problem. You then tip some water out of the hose area, open it, empty the water and go about rinsing the sponges in your tank water (good idea to be doing this during a water change).

That should save your living room from more water hopefully!

 

[jamie2010]

ha bloody ha i know i know,but my booklet is long gone now think it got thrown with all the wrapping paper at crimbo,my flow was reduced so i thought id give it a clean out.now you say it sealing the pipes woulda been a sensible option.and taking it to the sink. :stupid:
i am now open to ridicule

 

[fatmarley]

I feel for you brother. Your girlfriend is going to know, and she might kill you.

We wont ridicule you, we are praying for your safety.

 

[DevUK]

We need to start an Aquarist's protection programme. Many an Aquarist has been lost to an enraged "Girlfriendicas Anoyedatus" to give them their latin name. We could whisk them away in the dead of night to a safe house

 

[Jules H-T]

I feel for you. Last time I did my external the pipe from the tank popped out of the removable assembly that joins the two pipes to the main body of the filter- and started syphoning all over the floor. Nightmare, was glad I have laminate flooring.

Must remember to put it in a bucket next time irrespective, this could have been avoided.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

pmsl, i'm so glad we have wooden floors, and Ian's so glad his missus likes fish too so understands!!