Fluval 3Plus Stopped Working

[alecb]

Hi All
First post so here we go.
I've had the aquarium for about a year and it hasn't been the happiest year but that's another story.
I have a Fluval 3Plus filter which has been working OK until today. I cleaned the filter media but when I replaced the pump the filter wouldn't work.
The only two things that I can think of that were different from usual were:
a) While cleaning the pump the impellor became attached to a pair of scissors that I had been using to cut some of the plants in the aquarium. I don't know if this could have affected the magnetic properties of the imnpellor.
b) The polyester filter pad was very grubby at the top so I snipped about 2 cm from it. Could the fact that the filter is shorter than original spec have an effect on the working of the filter?
Fortunately I have a 1plus that I am using in the meantime as back up but would appreciate any advice.

I have some spare polyester pads but can't put one in yet as my hands are covered in white spirit and the fish might not take too kindly to that.

Thanks
Alec

 

[Essjay]

Fluval filters do have the repuation for not starting again after they've been switched off. The first thing to try is take the pump off the filter. Then hold it underwater with the outlet pointing downwards (or you risk an unexpected shower if it's pointing upwards) turn it on, and flick the fins on the impeller. It could well start going. If it does, carefully put the pump back on the filter, keeping it underwater all the time - without giving yourself a soaking.

As you may gather, I've had experience of coping with this type of filter, and the results of not pointing the outlet downwards Mine was a Hagen trio, and Fluval are made by Hagen.

Edited for my inablity to type properly

 

[Lawdy Lu]

Hi All
First post so here we go.
I've had the aquarium for about a year and it hasn't been the happiest year but that's another story.
I have a Fluval 3Plus filter which has been working OK until today. I cleaned the filter media but when I replaced the pump the filter wouldn't work.
The only two things that I can think of that were different from usual were:
a) While cleaning the pump the impellor became attached to a pair of scissors that I had been using to cut some of the plants in the aquarium. I don't know if this could have affected the magnetic properties of the imnpellor.
b) The polyester filter pad was very grubby at the top so I snipped about 2 cm from it. Could the fact that the filter is shorter than original spec have an effect on the working of the filter?
Fortunately I have a 1plus that I am using in the meantime as back up but would appreciate any advice.

I have some spare polyester pads but can't put one in yet as my hands are covered in white spirit and the fish might not take too kindly to that.

Thanks
Alec

Are you using a type of sand as a substrate? Sometimes once it gets in there, it can burn out the motor

Lu

 

[alecb]

Fluval filters do have the repuation for not starting again after they've been switched off. The first thing to try is take the pump off the filter. Then hold it underwater with the outlet pointing downwards (or you risk an unexpected shower if it's pointing upwards) turn it on, and flick the fins on the impeller. It could well start going. If it does, carefully put the pump back on the filter, keeping it underwater all the time - without giving yourself a soaking.

As you may gather, I've had experience of coping with this type of filter, and the results of not pointing the outlet downwards Mine was a Hagen trio, and Fluval are made by Hagen.

Edited for my inablity to type properly

Thanks for that. I'll give it a go in the morning when the white spirit has disappeared ( I hope!) but I don't fancy having to go through dunking the filter every time I change the water. Might have to bite the bullet and buy a new filter. I see that the 3plus is going for approx £20 as it has been replaced by a later model.

Hi All
First post so here we go.
I've had the aquarium for about a year and it hasn't been the happiest year but that's another story.
I have a Fluval 3Plus filter which has been working OK until today. I cleaned the filter media but when I replaced the pump the filter wouldn't work.
The only two things that I can think of that were different from usual were:
a) While cleaning the pump the impellor became attached to a pair of scissors that I had been using to cut some of the plants in the aquarium. I don't know if this could have affected the magnetic properties of the imnpellor.
b) The polyester filter pad was very grubby at the top so I snipped about 2 cm from it. Could the fact that the filter is shorter than original spec have an effect on the working of the filter?
Fortunately I have a 1plus that I am using in the meantime as back up but would appreciate any advice.

I have some spare polyester pads but can't put one in yet as my hands are covered in white spirit and the fish might not take too kindly to that.

Thanks
Alec

Are you using a type of sand as a substrate? Sometimes once it gets in there, it can burn out the motor

Lu

No, I'm using 5mm gravel but thanks for the tip anyway.

 

[alecb]

Fluval filters do have the repuation for not starting again after they've been switched off. The first thing to try is take the pump off the filter. Then hold it underwater with the outlet pointing downwards (or you risk an unexpected shower if it's pointing upwards) turn it on, and flick the fins on the impeller. It could well start going. If it does, carefully put the pump back on the filter, keeping it underwater all the time - without giving yourself a soaking.

As you may gather, I've had experience of coping with this type of filter, and the results of not pointing the outlet downwards Mine was a Hagen trio, and Fluval are made by Hagen.

Edited for my inablity to type properly

Juat wanted to say thanks again.
I spoke to a nice man at Hagen who suggested that I clean inside the hole where the impellor magnet goes and to make sure that the impellor is wet when refitted - he said that the water acts as a lubricant.
Anyway I cleaned the hole with a cotton bud and removed quite a lot of gunge. He suggested that I test the motor by just plugging it in and switching it on briefly which I did and Eureka it worked.
All working fine now

 

[Essjay]

Glad to have been of help.
Back in pre-internet days, I always found Hagen helpful when I phoned to buy new suckers for the filter (the ones that hold the filter onto the glass).

 

[Twinklecaz]

Mine did this and I rinsed out the section where the impeller is ( I have sand btw) and it worked again

 

[shnbrookes]

Just like to say thanks for your advice on Fluval filter stopped working. Cleaned fish tank had a panic googled and found forum. Followed instructions now working again Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou....