Emergency

[jimbooo]

Hi guys and girlies.

okay simple problem my fluval 304 has totally packed up in my 50G cube. i have 1 tiny (about the size of a fag packet) internal filter in it and obviously healthy plants.

how long will my 50 or so guppies survive without a filter. i did 25% water change last night.

cant get a new external until tomorrow. they look okay at the moment but do you think they'll be okay for another 24 hours or so.

Edit: i put this in here as the plants will be a factor. but how much time they will buy me i dont know...

 

[George Farmer]

Personally I'd do a water change every couple of hours or so if you have the time.

You could probably get away with less but the possible ammonia spike (even a tiny one) due to the massive loss in nitrifying bacteria may result in a massive algae bloom, even if your fish are fine.

That's just me being ultra-cautious.

I'm surprised your filter has packed up. It seems a lot of people have bad experiences with the Fluval 04 range. My 204 has been running for over two years without problem. Just luck I guess.

 

[smithrc]

try and get some other circulation in there - the evil air pump and stone will keep the water moving

whats actually happened tothe filter - there is not a lot to go wrong with them...

 

[karlp]

I would be very surprised if you have any fish losses between now and tomorrow with so many plants to take up the ammonia and a small substitute filter (is the internal filter mature ?) and guppies being pretty resistant to ammonia. You are much more likely to get an algae bloom.

Just a suggestion, but why not take all the filter media out of the fluval, clean it in tank water to get rid of excess detritus and put it in the tank in a make shift mesh bag in a good flow of water (e.g, turn the internal upside down and aim the outlet of the internal at it). You'll still get quite a lot of benefit then from the nitrifying bacteria.

Cheers

 

[smithrc]

I would be very surprised if you have any fish losses between now and tomorrow with so many plants to take up the ammonia and a small substitute filter (is the internal filter mature ?) and guppies being pretty resistant to ammonia. You are much more likely to get an algae bloom.

Just a suggestion, but why not take all the filter media out of the fluval, clean it in tank water to get rid of excess detritus and put it in the tank in a make shift mesh bag in a good flow of water (e.g, turn the internal upside down and aim the outlet of the internal at it). You'll still get quite a lot of benefit then from the nitrifying bacteria.

Cheers

Good suggestion

its all about maintaining water flow past bacteria

 

[jimbooo]

gf- i'm at work all day so cant touch it till 6 ish tonight. fingers crossed, i'll do anoth4er 25% then.

Smithrc - got an airstone running already, i forgot to mention that.

basically last night was the first time i switched off the filter since i set up the tank. i thought some maintenance was desperatly in order. LOL

pulled the thing apart, cleaned it out and put back together. filled with water and it literally pours out the sides like a tap. the seal has totally gone but looking at it it's not worn at all. i took it off and on again 20/30 times but the same result every time. my LFS said they dont supply the seals any more and to replace it asap. i even put my whole body weight on it, kneeling on the lid before closing the clips and still no joy and a very wet carpet.

sorry missed the last post. good idea, i'll do that when i get home.

the internal has been in there for about 3 weeks. i use it for asthetic purposes to get the leaves in the right place LOL sad aren't i

 

[George Farmer]

Have you tried some silcone grease or similar on the seal. They should be coved in a light film of grease to maintain the hermatic seal. Vaseline also works but over time it may degrade the material.

I had a leak in my 204 until I greased up the seal.

 

[Waterloo Kid]

SOunds like you're not putting the filter together properly. For the amount of water leakage you are implying the seal would have to be obviously broken (visual damage). I might be teaching you to suck eggs here but I'd sit down with the destructions for a bit and check that you're going it right. I've had many a disaster putting all sorts of things together slightly incorrectly. From car engines to electric razors, I've messed them all up! Then I learned the value of the instruction booklet.

WK

 

[smithrc]

you'll also find that water that enters the lid via the aquastop tap thing, will pass through the lid and runs out the unit by the handles... the other thing is the water that build up in the 'groves' round the outside of the seal... that too runs down the outside.

we now have the 404 on the trigon sat on a tupperware lid to collect the over spill. it only runs for a few minutes but its enough to cause concern until its cleared it's self out... could it be that?

 

[karlp]

One more stupid question. The rubber O-ring that makes the seal hasn't fallen out during the clean down has it ? Its quite easily dislodged and would account for the problem you're seeing.

 

[George Farmer]

One more stupid question. The rubber O-ring that makes the seal hasn't fallen out during the clean down has it ? Its quite easily dislodged and would account for the problem you're seeing.

The O-ring (seal) was what I was refering too regarding grease - just in case there's some confusion there.

 

[jimbooo]

you'll also find that water that enters the lid via the aquastop tap thing, will pass through the lid and runs out the unit by the handles... the other thing is the water that build up in the 'groves' round the outside of the seal... that too runs down the outside.

we now have the 404 on the trigon sat on a tupperware lid to collect the over spill. it only runs for a few minutes but its enough to cause concern until its cleared it's self out... could it be that?

ohh excited now... thats exactly what happened.

i filled the canister (lid off) to the brim

fitted lid with all my weight on the lid then closed the clamps on the sides.

poured water in the two holes on the top (for the taps) to get rid of the air pocket and it just ran straight out the sides (by the handles)

i assumed this meant the seal had gone and never did put the pipes back on for fear of 50G on my floor.

are you saying the leaking is normal mate?? it kind of has a heavy dribble from both handles/clamps.

george - vaseline, great idea


i really cant afford a new filter right now...

 

[kenneth_kpe]

what a disaster jimboo ! i like fishymads suggestion, kinda like a DIY temp filter.

 

[jimbooo]

lol damn tanks why oh why do we get ourselves into this.

Smithrc... if you've just loged on read my reply above this. i dont want you to miss it. you may have saved me £180...

 

[lljdma06]

I'm sorry I can't help you much Jimbooo, I have no experience with internal filters. I've always used hang on the back types that allow for flow adjustment. All I can offer is my sympathy and I hope that you get this situation resolved soon.