Who here does maintenance on their canister filters?

[JNS]

And by maintenance, I don't mean opening it up and rinsing/replacing the media.

Reason I ask is my Fluval 404 motor seal went after about 3 years in service, and leaked half the water out of my tank, causing $6000 damage to my floor. I cannot say for sure, but if I'd spent $10 replacing the motor seal ring every year or so, this may not have happened.

Checking the instructions on both my fluval and my (new) Ehiem and neither say anything about replacing this vital seal. It would be in the maufacturer's interest to recommend replacement....they'd get money for consumables and an exprience like this means I'll probably never buy a Fluval again. Do these seals really last forever?

So does anyone here believe in shelling out a few dollars on such parts to prevent a disaster?

BTW, my fish survived. Luckily somone came home as it was happening and shut the filter down, the floor is insured, the fish weren't (phew!!)

[mr troph]

:( Sorry to here about that mate.
Yes I clean filters every 3-4 months using tank water. This dos'nt upset the benifical bacteria to much.
I have never used Fluval so I can't comment on the seal.

Todd

[FishLover]

I bought some seal rings for my two Fluval filters because I heard other people compaining about leaks after few years. Maybe I should replace them now. Had the filters for about 3 years now. Better safer than sorry.

I had to replace the impeller of the 404 because it was make too much noise. I guess it is time for the seal rings then. Thanks for the post.

I put some sponges over the intake of the filters and that cut down the need to open it up. I only do it when the flow rate is getting too low. So far I have not opened them for about 4 months now and no visiable flow rate reduction yet. Of course, I clean the sponges every week or so.

One thing I do check is everytime I open the filters for cleanning, I watch the filters very closely next few hours for any leaks just to be safe. I fiigure if anything is going to go bad, it should be within few hours. Otherwise, you are safe till next time.

[ILLUSN]

I replace the sealing rings on my eheims every 5 years or so, whenever they "feel" rough and dry, the same goes for the o rings on the double taps. i figure its cheep insurance against massive failure.

[Bill T]

Would a bit of petroleum jelly help to keep the rings supple?

[ILLUSN]

it does help alot, but after a while the rubber does start to break down, if i didn't use petrolium jelly i dare say i'd be relpacing them every 2-3years

[scuba123cliff]

You should try some silicon greese i use it on my filters o rings its good on all water tight orings .Just put a bit on your fingers and pull the o ring through your fingers while rolling fingers together at the same time you feel for nicks and cut if any are found replace o ring.

Cliff

[JNS]

Good to hear and I would advise those who do not do maintenance that they likely on a thin wire.

My Fluval Instructions do recommend silicone grease on the O-ring, but I think from now on I will make a point of replacing the ring every 2 years, even on my new ehiem. Ironically, I was going to replace the ring on my next online fish shop shopping spree (I like to buy lots so as to get the most of the shipping fees).

As for the Fluval, its mothballed, but I do have a spare tank, a spare heater, and I now have a spare filter that likely just needs some media and a motor seal, all I need is to convince the wife that another fish tank is a great idea!!! :) :) :)

There's always good things that come out of disasters, when your perspective is right!

[BT Gunner]

i've been lucky,ii havent change the o-ring on my eheim 2260, 2217, for over 7 years now and its still fine. my wet/dry 2229 and 2250 havent change for 4 years!

my fluval403 is still in tip top condition after 11years!

the only problem i have is with the cheaps aquapro and proaqua! cost me thousand to repair wooden flooring