Fluval 3 plus filter keeps breaking, help!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
S

sixftsam

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Mar 29, 2008
78
0
36
England, Surrey
Hello everyone.

Ive had a 33 gal set up for a good couple of years now. Since the start we had a fluval plus 3 internal filter running in the tank. Perform maintenance when needed (when the bubbles stop blowing too good) etc.

The first filter we had started needing more and more maintenance (and got fairly loud), then started not turning on when replugged in after maintenance. a few bangs and it would work. Eventually it needed to be banged a lot to get it re-running, so we got a new one.

New one has just started to do the same after about 8 months. needs a good few thumps to get it working after replugging in.

Can anyone suggest whats going wrong? are these filters just crap? What would MFK recomend, a canister filter? a different brand? deal with it because they all do it? I'm counting on you!
 
sixftsam;4479306; said:
Hello everyone.

Ive had a 33 gal set up for a good couple of years now. Since the start we had a fluval plus 3 internal filter running in the tank. Perform maintenance when needed (when the bubbles stop blowing too good) etc.

The first filter we had started needing more and more maintenance (and got fairly loud), then started not turning on when replugged in after maintenance. a few bangs and it would work. Eventually it needed to be banged a lot to get it re-running, so we got a new one.

New one has just started to do the same after about 8 months. needs a good few thumps to get it working after replugging in.

Can anyone suggest whats going wrong? are these filters just crap? What would MFK recomend, a canister filter? a different brand? deal with it because they all do it? I'm counting on you!
Click to expand...

The Fluval FX5 is a great filter that gets a lot of good press around MFK, which I agree with, but I have found the rest of the fluval line to not be quite up to par.

For a larger setup, 55 gallon or higher, I would absolutely recommend a canister filter, or alternatively a sump, however for your 33 gallon, I would personally run an aquaclear 110 hang on back filter, run with two sponge inserts and bio media. You could alternatively run a smaller canister, but I would spend the money on a larger tank... ;)

Have you thought about getting a larger tank? Petco currently has a sale of $1 a gallon, so 55 gallons are 55 bucks brand new... also a ton of great used deals on craigslist.
 
needs a good few thumps to get it working after replugging in.

The impeller in the filters pump is getting mucked up.
A good, through cleaning should get it spinning like new.

Petco currently has a sale of $1 a gallon, so 55 gallons are 55 bucks brand new

Not sure if they have outlets in England.
 
KaiserSousay;4479365; said:
needs a good few thumps to get it working after replugging in.

The impeller in the filters pump is getting mucked up.
A good, through cleaning should get it spinning like new.

Petco currently has a sale of $1 a gallon, so 55 gallons are 55 bucks brand new

Not sure if they have outlets in England.
Click to expand...

Sounds like it COULD be the impeller, or the motor is just dying.

Well, if they did, he could get a hell of a deal with the conversion rate. :grinno:
 
Have you phoned hagen about the problem?

They were great with me when my filter broke and my heater.
 
I switched all my fluvals out for renas before my last deployment. much easier to deal with in my opinion and my wife only had to learn one filter. The only problem ive had with my renas is when the o-rings start going bad but its taken me roughly 3 years to have problems with that. apparently thats their lifespan because all 4 of them started at around the same time. My fluvals were a constant pain to prime and get started.
 
SemperFish;4479386; said:
I switched all my fluvals out for renas before my last deployment. much easier to deal with in my opinion and my wife only had to learn one filter. The only problem ive had with my renas is when the o-rings start going bad but its taken me roughly 3 years to have problems with that. apparently thats their lifespan because all 4 of them started at around the same time. My fluvals were a constant pain to prime and get started.
Click to expand...


It's an internal filter, not a fluval canister.

Does ANYONE like these filters? I have a friend running one on a tank he got used and it seems to work alright.
 
I dont have any experience with the internals. always had HOB or canisters. I do know that ive had fluval problems but not rena problems. I may try the fx-5 out though. my feeling is though that if youve had these problems with two of the same filters then either your tank set up is somehow not compatible with it or its not such a good product. One way or the other id try a different filter.
 
i own a fluval plus 3 and they are rubbish. i replaced it with a fluval u4 and its much better
 
Thanks for all of the replies guys. It does seem that these fluval internal filters just aren't up to par.

In regards to getting a bigger tank, I would love to, but only live in a 1 bedroom apartment with my gf for now. But in the future it'll get bigger (hence not minding an external now, as i could then use it on a bigger tank in the future anyway).

Thanks for the tips on Rena, I'll look into their products and give them a go, because for the filters to last about a year seems far too short.

Thanks again guys!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom