Fluval filter lost pressure

Hi, I have a Fluval 2+ filter (one of the completely under-the-water types).
It's been running fine for a month or so but lately it keeps losing
pressure. Instead of firing a mighty jet of water it has reduced to a
trickle. I've "fixed" it in the past by unplugging, taking it apart and
reassembling but that doesn't seem to be working this time. It's not clogged
up or anything so I don't know why it should be running so weakly. I would
have thought the motor would either work or not work, but it just seems
erratic. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Dan

[Flash Wilson]

On Sun, 16 May 2004 13:30:23 +0100, a <a> wrote:
>Hi, I have a Fluval 2+ filter (one of the completely under-the-water types).

I have a fluval 3 internal, similar but a little bigger I think.

>It's been running fine for a month or so but lately it keeps losing
>pressure. Instead of firing a mighty jet of water it has reduced to a
>trickle. I've "fixed" it in the past by unplugging, taking it apart and
>reassembling but that doesn't seem to be working this time. It's not clogged
>up or anything so I don't know why it should be running so weakly. I would
>have thought the motor would either work or not work, but it just seems
>erratic. Any ideas?

How quickly does it do this?

Mine does this and even though it appears not to be clogged up,
taking to bits and rinsing sponges and reassembling works a treat.
Also lifting it so the jet is just above the surface of the water
at least gives the illusion of improvement and shows me how well it
is doing.

I think it *does* clog easily - even if it doesn't seem to - it's
the only conclusion I can draw. I've got turning it off, removing
sponges, rinsing in a sink of dechlorinated water, reassembling
and turning on back to a 2 minute job. I'm aiming for 1 minute
30 next time! :) (Seriously. Isn't it sad that I've timed it?!)

But you say this doesn't help any more.

Have you tried running the pump head without the rest attached
(e.g. in a sink or bucket full of water) and seeing whether all
is miraculously well, or whether it is still weak even when the
water doesn't have to be drawn through the sponges?

I'm just hunting more clues...

--
Flash Wilson
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bother. Must not drink tequila before midnight on a weeknight.

"Flash Wilson" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 16 May 2004 13:30:23 +0100, a <a> wrote:
> >Hi, I have a Fluval 2+ filter (one of the completely under-the-water
types).
>
> I have a fluval 3 internal, similar but a little bigger I think.
>
> >It's been running fine for a month or so but lately it keeps losing
> >pressure. Instead of firing a mighty jet of water it has reduced to a
> >trickle. I've "fixed" it in the past by unplugging, taking it apart and
> >reassembling but that doesn't seem to be working this time. It's not
clogged
> >up or anything so I don't know why it should be running so weakly. I
would
> >have thought the motor would either work or not work, but it just seems
> >erratic. Any ideas?
>
> How quickly does it do this?
>
> Mine does this and even though it appears not to be clogged up,
> taking to bits and rinsing sponges and reassembling works a treat.
> Also lifting it so the jet is just above the surface of the water
> at least gives the illusion of improvement and shows me how well it
> is doing.
>
> I think it *does* clog easily - even if it doesn't seem to - it's
> the only conclusion I can draw. I've got turning it off, removing
> sponges, rinsing in a sink of dechlorinated water, reassembling
> and turning on back to a 2 minute job. I'm aiming for 1 minute
> 30 next time! :) (Seriously. Isn't it sad that I've timed it?!)
>
> But you say this doesn't help any more.
>
> Have you tried running the pump head without the rest attached
> (e.g. in a sink or bucket full of water) and seeing whether all
> is miraculously well, or whether it is still weak even when the
> water doesn't have to be drawn through the sponges?
>
> I'm just hunting more clues...

Thanks for your help on this. Turns out it was just clogged up. I'd assumed
it couldn't be this as I only thoroughly cleaned it out a couple of days
ago. I gave it a good clean today and sure enough back to decent pressure. I
guess this means there must be an unusual amount of waste in my water, think
I might be overfeeding. Will cut back a bit and monitor the situation.

Thannks again,
Dan

[Dinky]

<a> wrote in message
...
|
| Thanks for your help on this. Turns out it was just clogged up. I'd
assumed
| it couldn't be this as I only thoroughly cleaned it out a couple of
days
| ago. I gave it a good clean today and sure enough back to decent
pressure. I
| guess this means there must be an unusual amount of waste in my
water, think
| I might be overfeeding. Will cut back a bit and monitor the
situation.
|
| Thannks again,
| Dan
|
|

FWIW, I've had similar experience with the internal power filters.
They seem to clog up quickly. I have 3, in a box in my closet, and
never use them, because I just don't have time for the maintenance.

my 2pennies

billy

[Flash Wilson]

On Mon, 17 May 2004 00:56:21 +0100, a <a> wrote:
>> I'm just hunting more clues...
>
>Thanks for your help on this. Turns out it was just clogged up. I'd assumed
>it couldn't be this as I only thoroughly cleaned it out a couple of days
>ago. I gave it a good clean today and sure enough back to decent pressure. I
>guess this means there must be an unusual amount of waste in my water, think
>I might be overfeeding. Will cut back a bit and monitor the situation.

As I said, they do clog fast. I use mine for supplementary filtration
so it's no biggie if it clogs while I'm away for a few days, etc. But
usually it's only a problem if one of the fish has dislodged a plant
so there are leaves loose in the tank - otherwise it needs sorting
about once a week at a guess.

They do need sorting often, but as I indicated it's possible to sort
it quite quickly, so I don't mind at all.


--
. ( www.gorge.org/fish )
\_____)\_____ O
/--v____ __`< . o
)/

[Brett Doran]

Might be time to geta new filter

8^)

[Bucky]

Or give it a good cleaning......



"Brett Doran" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Might be time to geta new filter
>
> 8^)
>
>
>