Fluval 3 Problems

[BPH]

I am used to 10% water changes and filter cleaning weekly.

Recently the filter has been tempermental; it will sometimes not run after cleaning.

Now it isn't running at all and it was only cleaned on Friday.

It's a Fluval 3 with foam pads. Always cleaned in the 10% of water removed.

It is approximately 6 years old. Time to replace?

I'm guessing the problem is with the "little barrel type thing that spins" (technical description hey!)

Anybody got any thought?

Thanks,

K

 

[vinylman]

That's the impellor. Do you take that out of it's slot and clean it, too (along with the slot)?.

 

[BPH]

That's the impellor. Do you take that out of it's slot and clean it, too (along with the slot)?.

I sure do. I give the beast a run under the tap and a manual clean with my hands and I use a sharp edged blade to run around the walls of the slot...

 

[vinylman]

Is that a Fluval+3 internal?. Could just be time for a new one. You may get lucky and find some of the old ones cheaper as the shops make way on their shelves for the new one.

 

[rabbut]

What makes you think it's the impeller that's gone? Is it just not rotating? Is it free to spin on it's shaft? Has the filter been ran dry or clogged recently?

All the best
Rabbut

 

[BPH]

Yeah it's a 3+ internal.

It's free to spin on it's shaft, it does feel like it's got a bit of "pull" on it though. Can anybody give me instructions on how to thoroughly clean my filter before I buy a new one?

Also, it has been suggested that I turn the filter off for half an hour after feeding to stop the food getting sucked in....true?

I only feed about 2 small pinches of flake once a day....not enough/too much?

Thanks for all the replies,

K x x

 

[hollanda88]

Yeah it's a 3+ internal.

It's free to spin on it's shaft, it does feel like it's got a bit of "pull" on it though. Can anybody give me instructions on how to thoroughly clean my filter before I buy a new one?

Also, it has been suggested that I turn the filter off for half an hour after feeding to stop the food getting sucked in....true?

I only feed about 2 small pinches of flake once a day....not enough/too much?

Thanks for all the replies,

K x x

Turning it off for half an hour isn't going to help with your problem its more of a feeding stratergy for fish that only will eat stationary foods. Do you fish manage to eat the flakes without them hitting the bottom? if so then you should be fine for feeding.

you could use a bottle brush to clean the impellor well thoroughly otherwise 6yrs is a good life span any way. I would take the oppertunity to upgrade to the u series of internal fluval . Don't throw the old one tho run them side by side until its cycled

andrew

 

[rabbut]

If the impeller is free to move and there is no abnormal looseness of the blades, it isn't the impeller. When plugged in, can you feel the impeller trying to turn? If not, start by checking the fuse If so, check for forign objects in the impeller cover, and check the bearings

I leave the filter(s) on when feeding

The amount of food required depends on how many of which fish you have...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Mikaila31]

You should leave the filter on when running. I have a fluval 3 or 2 (not sure exactly). I would suggest pulling out the inpeller and the slot it goes in again. Then put just the top of the filter with the inpeller in it in a bucket of water, and turn it on. If the motor is working you should feel it vibrate, if its vibrating, but the impeller is not turning try giving it a push with your fingers. If it still does not work, I would call it dead.

This is VERY important, if you get a new filter, put the old filter pads in the new filter.

The fluval 3 is an internal. If you do what rabbut suggested and open it, the motor compartment is most likely sealed shut. You will probably need a little knife to get it open. You will also need a little tube of aquarium silicon to reseal it shut.

 

[BPH]

Many, many thanks for the replies. I'll give it some attention after work tomorrow and report back.

Niiiiiiiice

 

[petertr]

Have you tried taking the casing for the sponges off, and trying to to hold the filter in the tank water - does it run then?

If so, the sponges are too clogged.