Fluval 305 Broken Well Cover Clips And Leaking

[Lori Barber]

I did a water change and filter clean on Thursday for my Fluval 305. The last working clip on the well cover snapped off, but it seemed to pop into place ok. When I tried starting the filter again, the usual easy priming process didn't work. I had to pour water in the intake tube; turn it on and off and on again; more manual priming etc. When the filter finally started again, there was a slow leak and a sound of lots of air bubbles in the canister. I opened it, cleaned and lubed the ring, and reinstalled. Still leaking; still sounds like it's sucking air. Before I go about doing a more thorough wipe down etc, I'd like to know if the clips missing on the well cover are probably the source of the problem.

 

[Skavatar]

without a tight seal, probably.

here's a part, double check if its the same as yours

 

[Lori Barber]

Not that part. This part:

without a tight seal, probably.

here's a part, double check if its the same as yours

rt

 

[kallililly1973]

is that the impeller cover? can you just order that piece? do you have another back up filter running on your tank as well? HOB or sponge filter? if you have ceramic media in your 305 and its in a mesh bag you can drop it in your tank till the new part arrives so you don't mess up your cycle.

 

[Lori Barber]

Yes. The impeller cover. Would that cause a leak?

 

[kallililly1973]

I don't think it would being its an internal part.. Is it leaking around the intake and return tubes? or the entire canister where the top and bottom are locked together? or are you suggesting the leak is internal cause your hearing the bubbles? if that impeller cover is not locked in right I would think its making the impeller itsself move up n down a little too much.

 

[Skavatar]

is the impeller held in place by magnet or by the cover?

 

[kallililly1973]

I believe its held in place by the magnet but I also believe the impeller cover has a tiny hole in the center to keep it spinning at a "true" balance instead of wobbling. yes if you look at the op's link that was added the impeller cover has that small beveled area and the hole where I believe the impeller itself lines up once the clips are snapped into place

 

[Skavatar]

the misalignment could be causing the problem.

I can't find a video of the 05 series, but this video of the 06 series shows that the cover locks in place for a reason. (the spindle broke)

 

[kallililly1973]

the misalignment could be causing the problem.

I can't find a video of the 05 series, but this video of the 06 series shows that the cover locks in place for a reason. (the spindle broke)

What a great video! Thanks for sharing that!!

 

[grump299]

If the impeller cover will not clip closed and seat tight the impeller will vibrate and cause bubbles and rattle in the well.

 

[Lori Barber]

It's leaking from the wells on either side where the cover latches on. I had a really, really hard time opening the canister to clean it. Maybe I damaged the rubber ring?

I don't think it would being its an internal part.. Is it leaking around the intake and return tubes? or the entire canister where the top and bottom are locked together? or are you suggesting the leak is internal cause your hearing the bubbles? if that impeller cover is not locked in right I would think its making the impeller itsself move up n down a little too much.

If the impeller cover will not clip closed and seat tight the impeller will vibrate and cause bubbles and rattle in the well.

The air bubble sound has died down over night. No rattle. Still leaking...

the misalignment could be causing the problem.

I can't find a video of the 05 series, but this video of the 06 series shows that the cover locks in place for a reason. (the spindle broke)

Fantastic video! Thank you.

 

[kallililly1973]

I would say to replace the O-ring and when you order 1 order 2 so you don't have any issues in the future. opening the top is easy on the fluval once you unclip it from the motor head you shouldn't pry between the head and canister but instead you just take the two clips and push them downward and it will help lift the head off by releasing it from the O-ring seal. ( that was the only mistake I seen in the video that was posted he pryed it off instead of using the handles to separate )

 

[Lori Barber]

I would say to replace the O-ring and when you order 1 order 2 so you don't have any issues in the future. opening the top is easy on the fluval once you unclip it from the motor head you shouldn't pry between the head and canister but instead you just take the two clips and push them downward and it will help lift the head off by releasing it from the O-ring seal. ( that was the only mistake I seen in the video that was posted he pryed it off instead of using the handles to separate )

That's a good tip! I'm always worried about breaking a nail.

 

[kallililly1973]

Check out this video. skip to about 55 seconds and he will show how the locking clips once unclipped you just push them downward and the motor head will raise up.

 

[Lori Barber]

I've replaced both the impeller cover and the ring. Still a small leak. I've discovered a tiny crack in the intake hose above where it connects to the canister. No water is leaking from here, but this is probably the source of the air bubbles. If excess air is entering the system, could that be causing a slow leak?

I've done this, and the air sound and leak have gone away:

. Genius!