Help Fluval 304 Urgent

[markspark]

Hi guys and gals i have a fluval 304 external filter and i have noticed that its not pumping a strong as it used to, infact its hardly working at all, i have checked the impellor and that seems to be working fine, all hosws have been checked and no blockage or anything, if you unplugg the filter prime it then power it back up it will work fine for couple of seconds then go back to not working properly, have you and ideas what i can try next

 

[walkers101]

is the tank planted by chance unscrew the intake (tank end) and it should have a ball in there check that for blockages (i had the same thing in my 405 that was blocked with plant leaves)

 

[markspark]

yes the tank is planted but i have checked all the pipes and fittings and they are all clean and free flowing

 

[Bazza57]

Hi guys and gals i have a fluval 304 external filter and i have noticed that its not pumping a strong as it used to, infact its hardly working at all, i have checked the impellor and that seems to be working fine, all hosws have been checked and no blockage or anything, if you unplugg the filter prime it then power it back up it will work fine for couple of seconds then go back to not working properly, have you and ideas what i can try next

Same thoughts -blockage in the intake, also make sure the impellor chamber is not full of air, it sounds like there is some air trapped in there.
The ancient fluval that I had used 2x inlets & 2x outlets (4 hose fittings) and was a bit of a pain to set up, this is how I cleared mine of trapped air
Turn off pump - close inlet hose valve leaving outlet hose valve open, then gently shake filter body - if there is any air in there, it should exit via the outlet hose. Hopefully it should solve the problem.
In my experience - when an impellor driven pump packs up it happens suddenly, rather than gradually

 

[rdp50734]

Try the strainer t the bottom of the intake mine used to block up there you should see the white of it inside and hear it rattle when you shake it! Like a non return valve!

 

[markspark]

i cant see how air would get in the pump was running fine i noticed the tank going bit green and water movement had slowed down so think air is out of the question to be honest any more ideas

 

[walkers101]

is there any noise?

 

[Bazza57]

i cant see how air would get in the pump was running fine i noticed the tank going bit green and water movement had slowed down so think air is out of the question to be honest any more ideas

Air can get into the pump via the intake hose when disconnecting for servicing.
It sounds to me that - at start-up things are fine (as you stated) then the pump slows down, it could be that air has been drawn by the pumping process down into canister,then up into the impellor chamber and is causing the reduced flow.

What happens is that if there is any air trapped in the hose when re-connecting, it is drawn into the pump when the pump it is activated again. even a small air bubble is enough to be drawn into the pump & consequently ends up in the impellor chamber.
Giving your external canister a few taps prior to re-connecting should release any trapped air, also check hoses for air pockets prior to connection.
Even if it is not air, it is worth checking to eliminate it as a cause, it has to be cheaper than buying a new filter

 

[markspark]

The pump seams to be running noarmaly low noise level i have emptied the pipes of water and blown through them aon they are not blocked then refilled with water and pumpde the air out ive bang taped and rocked the canister side to side and no air comes out at all, i have run the pump head whilst not on the canister and it seems to work fine, im realy stuck now on what to try next im thinking new filter is due but as its xmas funds are low

 

[markspark]

And finally fixed the problem i feel rather silly now the only thing i had not checked was the filter matter the final filter satge (wool) was clogged up i have now changed this and after a long time bleeding the air out its finally working again i was getting quite worried that i would start to lose my fish. Anyway thanks very much for all your info and help in solving this problem
mark

 

[Bazza57]

And finally fixed the problem i feel rather silly now the only thing i had not checked was the filter matter the final filter satge (wool) was clogged up i have now changed this and after a long time bleeding the air out its finally working again i was getting quite worried that i would start to lose my fish. Anyway thanks very much for all your info and help in solving this problem
mark

No probs,
At least you got a good result, it didn't cost you & I expect you now have the experience to deal with any future filter issues.
Good things, these forums eh?