Used Fluval 404 Help!!!!

[Joey47]

I bought a tank with a used 404 and I have few questions on it.

the rippled tubing that came with it is too short. if i buy tubing from home depot will it work correctly and seal to fittings on top of the filter?

second, the filter pumps but it tends to fluctuate and gets weaker and stronger. what could the problem be with that?

also, with the canister empty besides the foam pieces, the filters water flow seems to be pretty weak for what its rated, what could be the problem?

Any advice is highly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[joey02]

For the shorst tubing, you could place the filter on a small stand, or you could do what you said and get the tubing from home depot, as long as its think and wont collapse. As for the flow going from strong to weak, It could be from the impeller or motor needing to be cleaned, but it is most likely lossing its magnetism. so either the impeller is worn out and needs replaced or it could be the motor itself.

 

[ziggy2]

It's the impeller. Give it a good cleaning and clean the area that sets in. Blow it out with some air if possible.

 

[Curly68]

I had a similar problem with a 404. I replaced the impeller, housing, hoses etc. It turned out to be the part that clips over the edge of the tank and the inlet/outlet pipes go into. It had cracked and was sucking air into the filter.
Maybe of some help to you?

 

[Joey47]

yeah im thinking about cleaning out the impellar and buying a new impellar cover because i just found out its missing a tab. and i'll try to get new hoses as well.

any more input would be nice.

thanks guys!!!