Fluval 205 Filter Problems

[orientmatt]

My external Fluval 205 filter keeps leaking everytime I set it up again after cleaning.

Water seeps out around the seal where the 'lid' attaches to the main cannister of the filter after I have filled it up with water, allowed the water to start flowing again and turned the impeller on. It carries on even when I turn the impeller off. Sometimes the water absolutely gushes out as well.

I presume there is something wrong with the rubber gasket although it seems to be in perfect condition? The manual says to it needs to be moist or lubricated, but lubricated with what?

I can't work out what I'm doing wrong as I'm following the instructions perfectly!

Any ideas?

 

[Loops]

The rubber seal should be ready lubricated providing it's a new filter?

If not maybe a little Vaseline would do the trick?

You're sure the seal is seated properly in the groove?

 

[orientmatt]

It's not new, I've had it about 18 months I think. I'm pretty certain the gasket is in the groove properly, although there is some movement; are they liable to shrink perhaps?

I thought about vaseline, but doesn't that degrade the rubber over time? I might try it out of desperation soon though!

 

[GrubbyGirl]

This is what you need to lubricate the rubber http/www.ukpetsupplies.com/Details.aspx?CatId=1296&ParentId=595&ProdId=2600

 

[three-fingers]

Yeah, you can get proper filter lubricant, or just use vaseline (I always feel safer with the proper stuff).

So you've gone 18 months without lubricating it? Lubricating it now wont help, it probably got a tiny bit of dirt or sand in behind it over the 18months and affected it, so just buy a new gasket. When you do, get lubricant too.

If the gasket doesnt help, the only other possible thing could be that the casing has somehow been warped or stood on...it's heavy duty plastic so this would be quite hard to do, and very unusual.

 

[waterdrop]

Agree, you want to apply a nice generous coating of lube to each and every silicone rubber part in a filter each and every time you clean it. Its actually kind of fun once you get used to it. Likewise, the proper sized small brushes make quick work of cleaning between all the impeller blades and down in the impeller well and any associated chutes and tubes in the pump head. Its weird but true that silicone rubber, which is wonderful at keeping water out is also subject to easy oxidation when directly subjected to air and water without the protecting coat of lube. Fluval and Eheim offer silicone lubricant that's aquarium safe, probably the others do too. And probably the hardware guys here can advise us which hardware store version would be safe and yet dirt cheap by comparison.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[davereap]

fluval say vaseline is ok