Fluval experience?

Bottom posted.

"Koi-Lo" wrote in message
...

"Mellie101" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello, I have a Fluval 404 which is about 4 months old. I've read that
eventually the output becomes less and less and the pipes need
cleaning. A few weeks ago I rinsed my pads from the filter and
reconnected it all up. When it started it spat out a small amount of
'matter' no idea what. I've noticed that there doesn't feel as much
pressure coming from the outlet pipe. I'm very worried about cleaning
the pipes, will wait till hubby is off. Has anybody else had a problem
with this? Are the pipes easy to clean, disconnect, reconnect. Really
love the filter, feel like its doing a great job.
====================
At the moment I'm not using my old Fluval. I used to use the hose
cleaning
brush every time I cleaned the filter. A thick brownish slime would form
in
the opaque hoses and slow the flow somewhat. It just became too much of a
hassle to use/clean/reassemble so I retired it and went with all ACs.
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Aquarium FAQ are at: http://faq.thekrib.com/
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o





I use a billows type siphon starter (I have talked about it here before) to
force water through the fluval's hoses (I have 2 404's and one 104)
periodically and it keeps the hoses/etc. in prime condition (you need to do
this when you at the very least think the debris in the hoses is saturated
with water so if you pull an old 404 out from storage for example and it
already has dried debris in it then you need to soak it (the debris in the
filter and hoses) thoroughly first, but other than that the fluvals should
last the lifetime of the filter which is a VERY long time (years if not
decades).

"Daniel Morrow" wrote in message
...

I use a billows type siphon starter (I have talked about it here before)
to
force water through the fluval's hoses (I have 2 404's and one 104)
periodically and it keeps the hoses/etc. in prime condition (you need to
do
this when you at the very least think the debris in the hoses is saturated
with water so if you pull an old 404 out from storage for example and it
already has dried debris in it then you need to soak it (the debris in the
filter and hoses) thoroughly first, but other than that the fluvals should
last the lifetime of the filter which is a VERY long time (years if not
decades).
========================
I have the older model and it's a real PIA to clean and put back together.
Getting the top back on the canister is a fight by itself. Trying to line
it up and keep the rubber seal in place, and not have the intake or outflow
in the way of the 2 clips (one broke off shortly after I bought it) is a
real juggling act. Both valves broke almost immediately so I have to
wrestle the whole thing, including hoses splattering water everywhere to the
nearest sink. I tried to hold them upright while moving it across the
sunroom but always ended up with water on the carpet and floor. Flushing
the thick slime from the hoses didn't work. I had to first remove them from
the filter, then use the hose brush to get the hoses clean - then replace
them with those screw-down things I was always afraid would break like the
crummy clamps and valves did. All and all it wasn't worth the hassle.

If I ever set up a tank with a few small fish where the Fluval wouldn't need
cleaning but every few months I may use it again. But with goldfish and
plecos... forget it!
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Aquarium FAQ are at: http://faq.thekrib.com/
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o