Fluval 303 Help needed

[MorpheusGPR]

I just got my 75g tank set up and my fluval 204 running. My 303 I bought used and have no idea how to get it started. If I plug it in it makes a grinding noise to I shut it off. I see no priming took for it. It has water in the canister...

Help please?

[steve1s]

If it is making a noise when the canister already has water in it then the impeller is either not seated properly or there is something in the well where the impeller sits.

If the canister has water in it, then the water will fill completely on it's own as long as it is more than half full and the impeller is working properly. You could also give it a bit of a bump, could just be trapped air.

Cheers
Steve

[MorpheusGPR]

Thanks for the post.

The canister is full of water. My room mate who has one at home looked and saw that there is no gasket on the top. He said it won't build pressure and will leak all over without that.

So after I take my final I am off to the fish store to buy one.

Should that do the trick?

Thanks again.

[steve1s]

It most definately requires the gasket or it will leak without it. The noise from the impeller should still be checked.

My suggestion is that when you install the gasket, check for blockage in the tubes and make sure the impeller rotates smoothly and uninterupted. Also make sure that any media is not floating free, ie carbon granuals and such.

Was it making a clunking sound or a gurgling sound?

Clunking= impeller
Gurgling= gasket

Scientific eh...? :P

Cheers
Steve