Fluval 105 Help

[AndreaC]

Right I bought a fluval 105 filter today. There good as I already have one on my other tank. Only problem is I didnt build it up, connect it or anything. A friend who came up from London did. Ok I should of watched how he did it but was busy at the time.

Ive had it all out the box, read the book 8 times and still none the wiser Some instructions sound contradictive in them selves!

I darent just attempt it and see how it turns out because if I get it wrong It can break the whole thing. Didnt realise how complex they are, should of been around when other one was done.


Other problem is, the tubing for input and out are pretty thick. Never thought about it before but its just sprung to mind that the hood on my tank has no gapping at the back, it runs smooth with top of glass. So How will I get the hood on?? Need the hood as it houses the lighting unit and of course the light itself. I thought of cutting holes in the back but there is no space to do this as the lighting unit part runs across back.


So now Ive spent £50 on an external filter I cant install due to being thick and not having spacing under hood

Any pros out there that knows about the fluval 105 external filter and lives in Nottingham??

 

[Rooster]

Theres no alternative really, you will have to drill or cut some holes, or slots to accomodate the pipes
There must be somewhere on the hood you can drill... never seen one that you cant, but dont forget that it must be on a non-moving part too - does the hood have a flap for feeding etc ?
Failing that its new hood time, DIY is easy enough.... wouldnt pay Bardill prices ! LOL
Im in Strelley if you need moral support

 

[AndreaC]

DIY Why are you swearing at me!! Im crap at DIY, cant even drill a hole into a wall with out making a crater Good with electricals though

Here are some pics of the hood:

Back closed, no gap at bottom

As you can see there is a gap inside at back, but this goes a third of the way into tank, also wouldnt be able to use support clips to keep hoses in place and they would come out??

Rooster, you live pretty close to me Im in Hyson green

 

[Rooster]

Difficult to tell from those pix... could you come in at the sides ?
That lighting unit could be removed at a pinch, and sited below the tank if its in the way, but can you not just remove some plastic (?) either side of it ?

 

[AndreaC]

Its metal not plastic lol. Lighting unit can be moved into middle of hood, loads of room.

Will try and build filter up and have a play about I think. Its going to take a week to suss putting filetr together lol. The pipe is one peice and it has to be cut in the middle to make 2 (why they dont just do that I dont know!)

God I wish I never bothered now but want best filter.

 

[AndreaC]

Still havent done this. Should I just buy a new internal filter and give up on this one??

 

[Rooster]

Its well worth the effort Im sure, externals are the "dogs" can you post more pics of the hood ? maybe another member has the same hood ?
Failing that, Ill bring my grinder round ! LOL

 

[AndreaC]

Well I spent the lasr 3 hours setting it up and going for it. What a total disaster and lots of swearing. I had it up and going from best way I could which was at side of tank. But no matter what I did I couldnt get the hood on. Cant leave it off because of the light. The filter was at side front of tank/unit so thought Iddrill and cut a hole in back inside of unit and feed pipes through and go up the back (as your meant to lol) After fighting with drill, sawing with a knife lol alot more cursing it all bloody failed anyway So I gave up, pulled it all back out, put media back into old internal and drained external off. Everything back as it was with a peeved off me. I think I best stick with an internal filter. Waste of money, but im sure I would be able to sell the external one/ Alot less stress and hassle.

Quit whilst im ahead and remain chilled and happier

 

[shrimply]

Personally If I had spent £50 on a filter the hood would be getting drilled until it fitted in,lol.

If you want someone to take it off your hands I would be happy to give it a home

I think that externals beat internals hands down anyday.