Fluval 305

stonedcamel · Aug 30, 2011

Hello all,

its been a while since i have posted on here but am always there in the backround reading.

I have an issue with my fluval 305 external filter, over the last 7 months (approx) its been running slower and slower to the point today where virtually nothing was coming out. i installed an airstone a little while back to get some water movement back on the surface. The filter unit was bought brand new and is approx 2 1/2 years old

I emptied the water and gave it the once over and everything looks normal.

any ideas?

p.s. i have searched and couldnt find anything

Thanks

StandbySetting · Aug 30, 2011

Have you cleaned the media in old tank water?

ZoddyZod · Aug 31, 2011

have you detached the guard from the inlet pipe and had a look in there? That can easily block with plant matter and drastically reduce the flow.

minnnt · Aug 31, 2011

Probably gunk and all sorts inside the pipes that have basically restricted the flow that much that it is pumping less and less all the time. Rinse all the media in old tank water, but rinse half of it very well and then do the other half really well next month.

Worth a try before you buy another.

DevotedToDiscus · Aug 31, 2011

If everything looks clear(pipes, pick-up, spray bar, etc.) my first check would be the impeller. Take it out and give it a good clean, you may have a build up of gunk on the magnet, and/or in the impeller housing. There is a small rubber cap on the top of the impeller shaft too, check this is not damaged. Once you have cleaned the impeller and reinstalled it, plug in the filter with the top off and watch the impeller speed.....it should spin so fast it is a blur, if not I would suggest buying a new impeller.

stonedcamel · Sep 1, 2011

thanks for all the replies.... thing is now that its completely stopped and i wont be home till a week tomorrow, will it be ok? or should i go home tomorrow?

Rickzayne · Sep 1, 2011

I don't think its wise to leave them a whole week with no filter... as the bacteria COULD die if it has no water moving through it for more than a couple of days....

stonedcamel · Sep 1, 2011

its already been practically still since tuesday.... so im not expecting much and possibly a big spike which i havent really got the time to deal with either

minnnt · Sep 1, 2011

Thats terrible. Is there anyway you or someone else could get an internal in there? Even if it is not big enough it would be better than nothing. I wouldn't fancy leaving it for another week without a filter running, especially if you have a few fish in there.