Canister filter question

[trble81]

I've got a quick newbie question for everyone. We just bought a Cascade 500 canister filter and set it up in our hex-tank. The output from the "out" hose is consistant but not very powerful at all. Is this a common occurance for either this particular filter or canister filters in general? Is this why one would put a power head to increase flow? Any insight would be great. Thanks!!

[jason the filter freak]

I theory you should be pushing about 315 gph with that filter, but I'm running the fluval 404.5 A 404 with a 405 motor on it, it's olny rated at 225, and it gives me good flow all the way across the surface of my 55 gallon. Unless your filter is already clogged you should be getting good flow... though i don't know about the cascade filter series... they're chaper so I assume they might be well cheaper, but having no personal exp with them I will avoid making judgement... they are rated at 315 so you should be getting a good jet of water. So trouble shooting

 

1. See if there are any kinks in the line

2. Make sure your valves right there where the lines hook up to the canister are completely open.

3. Make sure your intake isn't clogged

4. Make sure your filter trays are clogged.

[TROLL]

 

1. See if there are any kinks in the line

2. Make sure your valves right there where the lines hook up to the canister are completely open.

3. Make sure your intake isn't clogged

4. Make sure your filter trays are clogged.

 

Something wrong with #4? lol

[trble81]

Thanks. I'm going to check some stuff out and see what's going on. If it doesn't improve, I'm going to talk to they guy at Scales in Silver Spring who sold us the unit to see what he suggests.

[trble81]

I'm not one to bump my own discussion but just wanted to put an update. I checked the filter media which was clean. Checked the impeller and saw nothing. I fooled around with the gasket (giving it more "lip" to make a seal better between the joint where the water would be drawn into. Plugged it in and gave it a go. The flow increased big time. Using my 5 min worth of expertise I would say that it was the gasket and nothing else (until I come home from work and see a disaster ). Any way, thanks Jason for the tips.

[TROLL]

Could have been gasket or impeller. I have trouble with impellers sometime, they seems to stick a bit till repositioned then works well. You might want to get silicone lubricant to form extra water tight seal for gasket ring, I think Marineland sell them with Magnum filters.

 

Glad the canister filter's working out well for you