Fluval 306 rattling

[qquake2k]

Yesterday I took the Fluval 306 canister filter that's on my 46 apart to add some Poly-Fil. But now it's rattling. As far as I can tell, the rattle is inside the filter, not from one of the tubes or the cord.. I tried moving it around, and tilting it from side to side. Some air came out, but the rattle didn't change. Any ideas?

 

[Colin_T]

It sounds like the impellor is not seated properly. They normally have a rubber grommet on each end of the impellor shaft, which is a steel rod that runs through the middle of the impellor. Sometimes they have a small plastic washer on the grommet and these can fall off when your aren't looking. If this happens they make noise.

Take the filter apart and make sure everything is where it should be and try again.

 

[qquake2k]

I thought about that, but I didn't touch the impeller. It has a cover that snaps into place in the filter head.

 

[seangee]

Sometimes the little cover that goes over the impellor gets disturbed. They are quite noisy when there is air in them - but it sounds like you have that covered.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

I had a similar problem with an old external filter a few years ago. The impeller was wearing out and needed replacing. Went back to being quiet after the new one was fitted.

 

[qquake2k]

This particular filter is almost new.

 

[qquake2k]

I took the head apart and inspected the impeller, but didn't see anything obvious. It turned freely, and no "catch" or rattle. But I cleaned it anyway, and greased it, then put it back together. Voilà, no rattle. Whatever it was, it had something to do with the impeller, as some of you suggested.

 

[qquake2k]

I may have spoke too soon. It's rattling again, but not as bad.

 

[howard_hopkinson]

This might sound like a silly question, but in your pictures I haven't seen the grey cover that goes on top of the filter baskets see attachment. Are you using the grey filter basket cover?

 

[qquake2k]

Yes, the cover is in there.

 

[howard_hopkinson]

In that case since the issue only started after you added poly filter, I suspect air has gotten/is getting into the filter. Check the large rubber O ring for issues and make sure it's seated correctly. Also, make sure the top filter housing is seated properly on the canister. Lastly, make sure the grey water flow valve is fully open in the down position.

 

[qquake2k]

I don't see any leaks anywhere, it's completely dry. So I don't know where air would be getting into it. But it is still rattling.

 

[howard_hopkinson]

Please put the flow control leaver in the full flow position. If that doesn't help, temporarily remove the poly filter material and retest.

 

[qquake2k]

Quite a bit of flow on full. I added some water and it's better.

 

[qquake2k]

It's still rattling. The good news is there are still no leaks.