Oh no!! Fluval 305 malfunction Please help!!

[Matteus]

so I just came home from a weekend away to find a damp spot at the base of one of my tanks. Upon further investigation it seems as if my fluval 305 has had a leak, I'm guessing since Friday when I last opened it up. So 2 days of this slow but steady leak. Looks like I have lost about 5 gal of water.

On Friday I just did a quick water change before I left to make sure my water was good while being gone. So I only took the connection off the top and let the water syphon out of the tank from that. I didn't even open up the 305. The water was leaking from the front of the filter at the opening not from the tubes or the bulkhead. (Thankfully) the filter has a seal on it that is roughly about 6 months old as the seal that was on it when I first acquired it was busted.

Has anyone ever had this happen, or know what it could be? I double checked the seal and it seems to be fine. I don't understand how this could happen because I didn't even take the top off. I have noticed it do this in the past if the seal was disturbed from replacing the lid but never with no agitation.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[Matteus]

Also my stand is a wood, looks like particle board stand. It has swollen quite bad. I'm concerned that it may be compromised, is there anything I can do to fix this or will my tank cave. I'm trying not to panic......

 

[Matteus]

Wow the stand keeps swelling and I'm hoping it stops soon. I have a space heater on it and I have lowered the water level as much as I can. I am looking into reinforcing the stand but there is no hardware store open to get any wood.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

It won't return to normal after it dries. That's why weetbix stands like that are basically a consumable.

Best bet is to check all the hoses. loosen the fitting that screw onto the hose, push them together and retighten. Recheck everything is tight.

 

[TheWolfman]

Sounds like a gaskets on its way out. They have replacement gaskets available. I had to replace one on my marineland canister about a year ago. In the past I have been able to remedy it by taking it apart and putting it back together. But it’s only a matter of time before that o ring needs to be replaced. Jump on Amazon and pick up new o rings. As far as the damage goes to stand either reinforce it or build a new one. What size tank we talking.

 

[Matteus]

Sounds like a gaskets on its way out. They have replacement gaskets available. I had to replace one on my marineland canister about a year ago. In the past I have been able to remedy it by taking it apart and putting it back together. But it’s only a matter of time before that o ring needs to be replaced. Jump on Amazon and pick up new o rings. As far as the damage goes to stand either reinforce it or build a new one. What size tank we talking.

The gasket is only 6 months old. It should be fine still. I have taken it apart, cleaned it and put it back together. The tank is a 70 bowfront. It has holes drilled in the bottom for the canister filter so it will be kind of a pain to build a new one.. I think I will reinforce it for now.

 

[nossalucard]

NEVER EVER maintenance a canister before leaving unless you have a week or two before leaving is my personal opinion that I go by.....(YMMV)

Also one of the reasons I use pre-filters so I don't have to open and maintenance my canisters so often(6mos to a year for me), as each time you open, clean and reseal, there is always a chance something "goes wrong" upon putting it back into service.

Also, did you lube all of the o rings when you were re-assembling? Could be a "crack" in the housing as well (hopefully not)...

EVERYTHING is made so dam cheap now, but prices just keep creeping up UGGGHHHH....

So sorry this has happened to you.

Best of luck....

 

[aotechs]

I advise my friends that have canisters to place them inside a 5 gallon bucket or a Rubbermaid tote. This allows for some time to catch a leak before it overflows and damages anything.