Fluval 404 disaster

Yes I know what you mean.

What's really fun is having the top slide open when you start it up.

I have found that the big O-ring will overtime get non-slippery and when
you close the top it will hold back some tension instead of sliding
fully into place. This seems to happen whether it or the case is wet or
not. I lubricate these days with petroleum jelly and has not happened
since. The top slides closed very easily. Before I had some Vaseline,
I used KY and chapstick.

These days I lubricate all the rubber O-rings on all my filters, even my
Emperors.


"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...
I turned the filters off (two fluval 404s on a 150 gallon tank) to do
a
partial water change. As I am doing the change, I notice water
creeping from
under the stand. Sure enough, one of the filters is leaking. This is
the
second time in one year that this has happened (leak when they are
off).
Anyway, because we had a bunch of storms in the area, this was always
in the
back of my head. Today I tossed the one year old filter (I would not
even
consider selling it) and have placed two Emperor 400s on order from
big als.
I don't think I will ever buy another Hagen product. Last time this
happened, and I called Hangen, I was told this is unusual. A quick
google
news search would suggest other wise. If this happened while I was on
vacation, I would have 150 gallons on the floor. At least with the
suspension filters, that's one less worry.

Thanks, did not know that. The KY liquid worked great and dissolved
away after all was in position....but it was embarrassing to have on my
fish shelf.

"NetMax" wrote in message
.. .
That's a good idea (lubricating all the O-rings regularly), especially
as
canisters are tight fits. I've been told to avoid petroleum jelly as
it
breaks down rubber O-rings (but not silicon O-rings). Plumber's
grease,
available in hardware stores is potable and supposedly good for any
O-ring material.

NetMax

"Stan" wrote in message
...
Yes I know what you mean.

What's really fun is having the top slide open when you start it up.

I have found that the big O-ring will overtime get non-slippery and
when
you close the top it will hold back some tension instead of sliding
fully into place. This seems to happen whether it or the case is
wet
or
not. I lubricate these days with petroleum jelly and has not
happened
since. The top slides closed very easily. Before I had some
Vaseline,
I used KY and chapstick.

These days I lubricate all the rubber O-rings on all my filters,
even
my
Emperors.


"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...
I turned the filters off (two fluval 404s on a 150 gallon tank) to
do
a
partial water change. As I am doing the change, I notice water
creeping from
under the stand. Sure enough, one of the filters is leaking. This
is
the
second time in one year that this has happened (leak when they are
off).
Anyway, because we had a bunch of storms in the area, this was
always
in the
back of my head. Today I tossed the one year old filter (I would
not
even
consider selling it) and have placed two Emperor 400s on order
from
big als.
I don't think I will ever buy another Hagen product. Last time
this
happened, and I called Hangen, I was told this is unusual. A quick
google
news search would suggest other wise. If this happened while I was
on
vacation, I would have 150 gallons on the floor. At least with the
suspension filters, that's one less worry.

"Stan" wrote in message
...
Yes I know what you mean.

What's really fun is having the top slide open when you start it up.

I have found that the big O-ring will overtime get non-slippery and when
you close the top it will hold back some tension instead of sliding
fully into place. This seems to happen whether it or the case is wet or
not. I lubricate these days with petroleum jelly and has not happened
since. The top slides closed very easily. Before I had some Vaseline,
I used KY and chapstick.

These days I lubricate all the rubber O-rings on all my filters, even my
Emperors.


I lubricated everything a month ago using the non-toxic 95% pure silicone.

"Stan" wrote in message
...

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"Stan" wrote in message
...
Yes I know what you mean.

What's really fun is having the top slide open when you start it up.

I have found that the big O-ring will overtime get non-slippery and
when
you close the top it will hold back some tension instead of sliding
fully into place. This seems to happen whether it or the case is
wet or
not. I lubricate these days with petroleum jelly and has not
happened
since. The top slides closed very easily. Before I had some
Vaseline,
I used KY and chapstick.

These days I lubricate all the rubber O-rings on all my filters,
even my
Emperors.


I lubricated everything a month ago using the non-toxic 95% pure
silicone.



Well, all I can suggest then is that you will be happy with twin
Emperors. I have 3 on my 150 gallon along with the Fluval 404. I
actually bought the Fluval after I decided to add a UV and needed a way
to pump water through it. It is a pain to service (especially with the
occasional leakage) and it weighs a lot to lift from the floor over the
top of my tank. I keep waiting for the day when I quick disconnect the
line and they do not stop, or a hose pops off when the lines get
wiggled.

Floss works great sandwiched in the Emperors media baskets. I have a
total of 6 of these filters and they are handsdown my favorite of them
all......I do have a 25 year old whisper that is still going.....who
knew...



Thanks! I had one of my 55 a while back! It was a great filter. I can't wait
till they arrive from Big Als so I can toss the other Fluval. Thanks for the
floss suggestion. That's what I will do!

"Stan" wrote in message
...

These days I lubricate all the rubber O-rings on all my filters, even my
Emperors.

I've done that on my eheims ever since one sprung a surprise on me one night
after I'd gone to bed. Eheim actually supply a tube of petroleum jelly with
the filter, but its role was forgotten until that incident.

Motto: Always lubricate rubber O-rings when you service the filter :-)


Graham.

"Stan" wrote in message
...
Thanks, did not know that. The KY liquid worked great and dissolved
away after all was in position....but it was embarrassing to have on my
fish shelf.

So put in on your bathroom shelf. lol :-)


Graham.

"Graham Broadbridge" graham at peachy dot org wrote in message
u...
"Stan" wrote in message
...

These days I lubricate all the rubber O-rings on all my filters, even my
Emperors.

I've done that on my eheims ever since one sprung a surprise on me one
night
after I'd gone to bed. Eheim actually supply a tube of petroleum jelly
with
the filter, but its role was forgotten until that incident.

Motto: Always lubricate rubber O-rings when you service the filter :-)


I lubed and it still went out a month after the lubbing. Still leaked.

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"Graham Broadbridge" graham at peachy dot org wrote in message
u...
"Stan" wrote in message
...

These days I lubricate all the rubber O-rings on all my filters,
even my
Emperors.

I've done that on my eheims ever since one sprung a surprise on me
one
night
after I'd gone to bed. Eheim actually supply a tube of petroleum
jelly
with
the filter, but its role was forgotten until that incident.

Motto: Always lubricate rubber O-rings when you service the filter
:-)


I lubed and it still went out a month after the lubbing. Still leaked.

When they go without lubrication for a long time (which is probably not
your case), then adding the grease only works temporarily. I'd inspect
the O-ring for damage. The pressure on the O-ring might reverse from
normal running operation (slightly negative?), to when it was turned off
(slightly positive), causing the contact to move to a damaged area of the
O-ring. An incorrect installation (having the O-ring installed too high
up the motor head) might also cause damage.

I would gladly take both your Fluvals. I'm running 8 of the 04 series
right now (7 in the shop and 1 at home). So far (knocking on head ;~),
all working flawlessly. Email me for shipping details, which I would pay
for. Can never have too many filters at home )

NetMax

"NetMax" wrote in message
.. .

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"Graham Broadbridge" graham at peachy dot org wrote in message
u...
"Stan" wrote in message
...

These days I lubricate all the rubber O-rings on all my filters,
even my
Emperors.

I've done that on my eheims ever since one sprung a surprise on me
one
night
after I'd gone to bed. Eheim actually supply a tube of petroleum
jelly
with
the filter, but its role was forgotten until that incident.

Motto: Always lubricate rubber O-rings when you service the filter
:-)


I lubed and it still went out a month after the lubbing. Still leaked.

When they go without lubrication for a long time (which is probably not
your case), then adding the grease only works temporarily. I'd inspect
the O-ring for damage. The pressure on the O-ring might reverse from
normal running operation (slightly negative?), to when it was turned off
(slightly positive), causing the contact to move to a damaged area of the
O-ring. An incorrect installation (having the O-ring installed too high
up the motor head) might also cause damage.

I would gladly take both your Fluvals. I'm running 8 of the 04 series
right now (7 in the shop and 1 at home). So far (knocking on head ;~),
all working flawlessly. Email me for shipping details, which I would pay
for. Can never have too many filters at home )

NetMax



The one that leaked, I already tossed. The other one, I still have. Let me
give it some thought.