thefishdude Posted November 14, 2004 Report Share Posted November 14, 2004 Hey, Just bought a fluval 403 for a little extra GPH flow in my 90. However I can't seem to get the thing running properly.... Here's where I need a little help. After looking over the manual online, I thought that I had everything set up properly. To test it out I put a 2 pails on my kitchen counter with the cannister on the floor. The intake is going to a full bucket of water and the output is going to the empty pail (duh!) I then made sure that the unit was filled with water (ie. sucked air from the exhaust hose until the syphon filled the cannister) The exhaust tube would then fill up if it was below the level of the water in the full bucket (syphon effect). At this point I plugged the unit in to the wall. I can hear the impeller going inside, but the exhaust tube would not spit water into the bucket on the counter..... ANYONE OUT THERE WITH EXPERIECE :well: Is this airlock??? I tipped the unit onto its side and tried to make sure all the air was out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemi Posted November 15, 2004 Report Share Posted November 15, 2004 Hey dude Had the same problem with mine. sometimes i had to keep sucking on the exhaust hose with it plugged in to get the thing to run right. hope this helps. Hemi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefishdude Posted November 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 Okay, I have the unit pumping water... However, the output is somewhat lacking. Could this be remedied by getting a new impeller? Would this boost my GPH? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahim101 Posted November 16, 2004 Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 A new impeller AND shaft may help. Maybe try to walk through the trouble shooting on the onle website. Those older Fluval a notorius for leaking as well!!! I hope you did not pay too much for it... PS: I do still have a Rena Filstar XP1 for sale if you know anyone that's intersted http://s6.invisionfree.com/AlbertaAquatica...p?showtopic=929 Don't just change the impeller....the shaft is also VERY important to change. It may help to flow...again go through the trouble shooting first!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefishdude Posted November 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2004 Got her for free... Was going to go to the dump, but the dude said it may need a few parts. Seems to work OK. Isn't loud or leaky, just the outflow doesn't seem to be what it should. It might just be me though; after being spoiled with the 500+GPH of the AC500. Just looking for extra flow... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefishdude Posted November 19, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2004 In order for a cannister filter to work, does the intake have to be lower in the tank than the outflow?? I would like to have both the intake and output tube at the same level ABOUT 3-4 inches from the bottom... See any problems?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtac Posted November 23, 2004 Report Share Posted November 23, 2004 The rattling sound seems to me that here is still air in the head of the canister. Try tipping the can at ~45* while plugged (full of water of course) in and it should start pushing water. When it does, slowly upright and "smak" the side of the can to burp out bubble trapped at the head and in the foam block. If the output is quite low, a new impeller and shaft may help if the shaft is worn or the imoeller has lost some of it's magnetism. If it doesn't work, the windings in the head is slowly failing. HTH Wilson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefishdude Posted November 24, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2004 Im gonna try a new impeller when I get paid on Friday... What is the GPH on a 403??? Anyone know?? does the GPH change porportionally in relation to the distance the cannister pumps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtac Posted November 28, 2004 Report Share Posted November 28, 2004 I think it's around 300gph. Flowrate will decrease dependant on height for the output (head height), length of hose and number and type of elbows used. How's it running with the new part(s)? Wilson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefishdude Posted November 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2004 Just bought and installed a new impeller and impeller well cover... WORKS GREAT!!! GPH is really good now. Like having an extra garden hose running into the tank. Definately a must when caring for messy oscars. <_< (no offence my pretties) I can't believe how quiet the thing is too. Quieter than the AC500 I have in the tank as a secondary. :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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