Fluval 306? New Filter?

So I got a new 55 gal I’m super excited about. It came with a used fluval 306 canister filter that was full of water and sludge when I got it (so obviously was in use) but I was just super stoked to get such a nice filter along with the price of the tank. I set my tank up and set the filter up. Have no luck with the “primer” so I fill the lines with water myself and get it flowing. I plug it in and... WATER EVERYWHERE. The lid seems to be on securely and the o ring seems to be in good shape. However, water was not dripping, but actually spraying out of the side near the locks, and running down the back. When the lid is on securely the locks seem very loose. Also, there is dripping from the sides of the valves at the top where the intake and outtake lines connect. Is this filter too far gone? Should I buy a new one or is there any idea how this one may be fixed?

 

No wonder you got it free with the tank Do you have a fish specialized store near you? If you do take it to them and have them look at it

 

I highly recommend watching a youtube video on how to set the 306 up. Maybe you had the valve shut off on the top and pressure built up? Or the hoses weren't plugged in all the way? I wouldn't ditch the cannister since it is working, just not properly.

 

Seems to be a common complaint with the 06 series.

There could be debris on the o-ring, it might be in the wrong place (there are two places where it can fit apparently), or it may need a new o-ring.

 

No wonder you got it free with the tank Do you have a fish specialized store near you? If you do take it to them and have them look at it

I have a petland, and petco near me... whom I wouldn't even trust to be able to tell the difference between a platy and a guppy for me if I needed it. Haha

 

Seems to be a common complaint with the 06 series.

There could be debris on the o-ring, it might be in the wrong place (there are two places where it can fit apparently), or it may need a new o-ring.

hmm. I was also wondering if maybe a new o ring would do the trick. Mine seems to be in the correct spot though, and when I removed it and looked it over it looks to be in really good, clean condition.

 

I highly recommend watching a youtube video on how to set the 306 up. Maybe you had the valve shut off on the top and pressure built up? Or the hoses weren't plugged in all the way? I wouldn't ditch the cannister since it is working, just not properly.

I'm not sure. It seemed like the water was leaking from the grey, round end caps I guess you could call them on the sides of the valves. (Sorry if that doesn't make sense.) but because of that I'm not sure that it was the hoses being plugged in that was the problem. I could be wrong though! I also don't think my valve was shut off but the pressure build up seems like a really reasonable idea considering the way that water was shooting out. So I would say that maybe there is some kind of valve problem that is in fact causing pressure build up. However, I also think there is a problem with the canister bc even when not running, with lid snapped on if tipped to the side, water will run down the side.

 

The oring needs to be pristine or it will leak. It's easy to miss a crack or cut in the oring. I have a 206, 306, 406 and FX4. The 306 was bought used and I needed to buy a new oring and lube the other orings with silicone.

There is a lip on the lower canister that catches water. When you clean the canister, there will be some water in that channel and will leak out when tipped over.

Fluval 306/406 oring


Silicone grease for 0rings


You might also need these:
Fluval Aquastop


Fluval 306 motor head maintenance kit (oring, impeller, impeller door)


There's also a bunch of videos on youtube to show you how to fix/maintain the x06 canister filters.

** DO NOT USE VASELINE!!! **
It is petroleum based and will break down the rubber oring. I posted a link above for some 100% silicone grease.
*Another Edit*
You do not need to use that much silicone on the oring. Just a light coating will do.

One tip for priming is to keep the output hose shorter than the intake hose. I can prime any of my canisters with 1 pump. You can also close the valve (gray/white lever) and fill the intake hose before connecting to the canister. When you open the valve, it will start the siphon on that hose.

 

The oring needs to be pristine or it will leak. It's easy to miss a crack or cut in the oring. I have a 206, 306, 406 and FX4. The 306 was bought used and I needed to buy a new oring and lube the other orings with silicone.

There is a lip on the lower canister that catches water. When you clean the canister, there will be some water in that channel and will leak out when tipped over.

Fluval 306/406 oring


Silicone grease for 0rings


You might also need these:
Fluval Aquastop


Fluval 306 motor head maintenance kit (oring, impeller, impeller door)


There's also a bunch of videos on youtube to show you how to fix/maintain the x06 canister filters.

** DO NOT USE VASELINE!!! **
It is petroleum based and will break down the rubber oring. I posted a link above for some 100% silicone grease.
*Another Edit*
You do not need to use that much silicone on the oring. Just a light coating will do.

One tip for priming is to keep the output hose shorter than the intake hose. I can prime any of my canisters with 1 pump. You can also close the valve (gray/white lever) and fill the intake hose before connecting to the canister. When you open the valve, it will start the siphon on that hose.

Great information. Thank you!