Fluval C4 trickle flow issue

by Sandman1969 Sat Jan 28, 2017 7:10 pm

I just cleaned this thing out entirely and still there's no flow from the trickle tube regardless of intake tube position.
I've re-inserted the impeller cover a few times with no luck.
Any ideas??

by Fores41 Mon Jan 30, 2017 4:24 pm

Can you put a small pump pushing water up the intake after you start it up? If you can this may start it up then if pump is removed and it stops it will be a air leak issue. Sorry I am not familiar enough with this filter. Hope this idea helps.

by Sandman1969 Tue Jan 31, 2017 1:05 am

The trickle part is right above the filter's pump/impeller.
This link is the part that sits over top of the pump/impeller.
https://www.homesalive.ca/fish/replacement-parts/filters/fluval/c4/fluval-c4-impeller-cover-assembly.html

by Fores41 Tue Jan 31, 2017 6:01 pm

Sandman take the trickle filter part out and see if you can get the water running without it to start that way you may have a better way of seeing what is wrong.
This may need to have the impeller motor cleaned well with out the impeller in it. Sometimes there is sludge build up on the inside and can be removed Via. spray bottle filled with Vinegar and spray to the bottom of motor then run with vinegar for 5 seconds to help clean motor. Hope this helps

by Sandman1969 Fri Mar 10, 2017 1:47 am

Ok, sorry for the late reply. But I think I found that cause. I had switched impellers & noticed the replacement didn't have as many blades compared to the original.
But now there's a new issue.
The impeller spins well without water. After the filter starts to fill, it gets to a certain level & it struggles and slows down for some reason. It flows fine without water, but with it slows down. Any ideas??

by Fores41 Fri Mar 10, 2017 10:21 am

the motor part may be wearing out as the magnets on the inside may not be as strong or the impeller magnet may not be as strong on the replacement one.
Those ate the only things I can think of off the top of my head. Unless the motor and has sludge in it?

by Sandman1969 Fri Mar 10, 2017 11:57 pm

I'm going to swap motors with the aquaclear & see how things work out and then go from there. Motors have always been pretty clean.

by Sandman1969 Sat Mar 11, 2017 2:12 am

Swapping motors does the same thing. Once enough water is in the filter, it restricts the impeller's movement.
Tried 2 different motors & impellers.

by Fores41 Sat Mar 11, 2017 11:42 am

If You are a fisherman try putting a bead (glass or stainless steel) under the magnet in the motor to raise the impellers up so they spin freely and with enough speed. Put bead over center pin on the bottom. If that does not work I am out of ideas at this point.

by Sandman1969 Sat Mar 11, 2017 11:54 am

These same 2 motors work perfectly fine in the aquaclear filter. The one impeller is even missing a single blade but still works perfectly. I don't think it has to do with the motors or impellers. If it sits any higher, it may snag on the part that sits above it that the intake tube sits on.
I have opened a ticket with Fluval support but they are pretty bad at giving any support.

by Sandman1969 Sat Mar 11, 2017 12:14 pm

This makes absolutely NO sense what so ever!
So I took the motor assembly apart again & cleaned it again using a Q-tip. Took the shaft out & cleaned it. Put it back together. Primed the filter & it ran fine for like 5 seconds then it goes restricted again.