New Fluval 406 - Problems

HI all, I have recently set up my very tank with its very first filter, but it seems to have a couple of problems

Firstly, its the noise, I will attach a video to see if anyone knows the noise by experience. It sounds like the impeller is rattling? Also every now and it makes a swooshing sound and air bubbles and white particles come rushing out of the outtake. The tank is in the lounge so its a bit of problem, I can start to hear it as I come down the stairs so I know that's definetely not right!

I have taken many steps to see if it was something I did wrong

- Let it run for a couple of days, shaking it a little now and then to release any trapped air
- Slowly turning it upside down
- Run without media to check if noise is the same
- Run without polishing pads
- Check impeller and casing and clean inside ( it seems to sit a little loosly in its slot, is that normal?)
- Run outlet into a bucket at same level of canister
- Check for air locks at the top of hosing as it comes into the tank

Do you think its maybe time to go back to the shop and get a replacement? Its brand new but just wanted to check I wasn't missing something.

My other problem is that as I have loads of tiny white particles being blown around and around coming out of the filter outake. The filter doesn't really seem to clean any of it, it just keeps on coming. I thought it was just air bubbles but it seems to a mixture of both. When the filter first got going it seemed to throw a lot of this stuff straight into the water on the first day, but I can't be sure if that was just air bubbles or not.
I have tried to research about this but all I can find it about it being a bacteria bloom. I'm assuming this isn't possible for me as I haven't added any ammonia source or bacteria yet and its only been running a few days. It was there as soon as the filter was running so it must be something else.
After waiting a couple of days for it to clear I did a 50% water change and gave all my media an extra rinse just in case I didnt wash it properly but its the same today.
My media setup is foam bottom tray, then biomax for the two middle trays and purigen on top.

Apologies for the long post, I tried to research on my own but cannot find the answer! I may of also asked some noobie questions as this is my first try!

Thanks for reading

 

I had a similar noise with my 306. I found out I didn't snap the impeller in all the way. It looked like it was in but it wasn't. I recommend taking it back out and snapping it back in. It will make a definite snap sound. That should help with the noise hopefully.

Can't help much with the particle situation. I seem to have some floating around too, but I have assumed it was from my fish.

 

Thanks v much for your reply, unfortunately I definetely remember making the snap sound with it, trying to fix it earlier. I wish it was that simple with mine lol
I still appreciate your reply though! Hopefully I can get it sorted, or I am going to try for a replacment. I wish my first filter experience was a smooth one!

 

Hopefully it will all work out soon! I think the impeller is the most stressful part of the filter. I have to take mine out and clean the mineral build up on it since it will make the impeller noisy again. Oh! I just remembered someting! Did you add sand? If the filter sucks up sand, that can cause damage to the impeller and it make it noisy too.

Maybe someone else will be able to give some advice on what is going on.

 

I do have sand yes, but not the really fine type. As far as I know it hasnt sucked any sand up as I have tried to be very careful, but its possible! I have the intake quite high up in the tank also, as I was a little paranoid about that lol. It also seemed to have trouble from the first moment onwards so it shouldnt be!

Thanks again for your time though

 

Definitely sounds like your impeller....check it again and check the red piece that snaps over it. Make sure its all installed improperly. When I first got my 306 the metal pin on the impeller did not go smoothly into the hole on the red "door", which caused it to sit funny and make a similar noise. DO NOT use any lubricant. I have quite a few tools. I used a very thin file and ever so GENTLY went around the red hole a time or two.

This may or may not help you.

As for those particles floating around....remove the white rubber pieces from the intake and outlet(turn filter off first) clean them very well. I've had gunk build up(white in color) come shooting out after shutting filter off and turning back on.....

Hope I could help

 

@Shortfuuze,

Thanks so much for your reply, I just went to check it all out though and it all seems it sits in properly, and clicks nicely etc.

As for the particles, I just set up the tank up on Friday so I shouldnt have buildup. I have also taken off the parts for now while I'm dealing with these problems and just have the tubes going into the tank.

I wish that was the answer lol! I am not starting my cycle while I have these problems as I may need to do big water changes or switch my fluval out, so its fustrating!

I am thinking maybe tomorrow to do a 100% water change to see if it gets rid of the particles. Maybe I didnt wash out my media properly enough when I first set it up and now they are stuck in there cycling around?

Thanks again for trying to help though, I appreciate it

 

Well its the next day, all the exactly the same
fissh I was wondering if I may tag you as I have seen you about the forums and I know you own many many canisters! Was wondering if you had any tips for me?

The filter still does a swooshing sound now and then as if air has been trapped somewhere, but it surely must of cleared by now. Perhaps the white particles are micro bubbles from having a new tank and both of my problems are related? I'm kind of clutching at straws now, I will probably ring customer services later on!

Any other tips from anyone are very welcome, thank you

 

I have a fluval 406, I just tried to find it in the box I put it in when I retired it after using it 2 months. And replaced it with a sussun 403B. I find the fluval to be finicky and have lot of problems. I sold a lot of Fluval canisters over the years ( I was the #1 fluval canister dealer in NOR CAL 6 years straight) and I find the new design to be overrated, and way overpriced. Back to your problem, Don't worry about the white stuff until you get the filter working right. It sounds like the impeller. The rod that goes threw the impeller can be lubed with silicon oil, make sure the rubber bushing at the bottom of the shaft is seated. And everything fits nicely and you don't have to force any parts in place. Another mistake we all have made is reversing the intake and output tubes. If you check that stuff, and the filter still does not work, you could have a defective filter. If you can return it, I sure would.

 

Heya fissh,
Thanks v much for getting back to me, I went for the Fluval to be safe for my first try and get a bigger brand one, didnt turn out so well lol. Sunsun filters don't seem to be available here in the uk, apart from the random overpriced one ebay now and then.
I have tried all of the list that you gave me there already, so it does indeed seem like a faulty unit. What bad luck to have on first try hah. I rang Hagen today and they gave me a few steps to try, tried them out and didnt have results. I will be ringing again tomorrow and will try for a replacement. I guess I should just stick with Fluval for now and give it a second try as there isn't a whole of options around here.

Thanks so much for getting back to me though! Hopefully I can get it switched tomorrow...