Preparing for cleaning
Make sure you have any replacement or additional media you will need ready in order to cut down on the amount of time your filter needs to be disconnected.
STEP 1
Disconnecting the filter
- Unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.
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Lift up on the Quick Disconnect Valve lever trapping the water in the hoses to prevent water from leaking.
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Gently disengage the Quick Disconnect Valve from the top of the blue motor housing.
STEP 2
Cleaning the Canister
- Carry the filter to the sink using the handles molded into the motor housing.
NOTE: Never remove the motor housing and attempt to carry the canister by the canister clips. This could crack the canister rendering the filter useless.
- Once you have the filter in the sink, release the 4 clips that secure the Blue Motor Housing to the canister base and remove it.
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Remove the media baskets from the canister and empty out the water.
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Rinse out the canister and set it aside.
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Remove the filter pads from the baskets and rinse thoroughly or replace. The white Micro-Filtration Pad (#735A) collects very fine particles and is difficult to rinse clean. It is recommended to replace this pad at every cleaning.
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NOTE: If you are using a bio-media such as Bio-Chem Stars or Ceramic Rings do not rinse these in chlorinated water. Rinse them lightly with water from the aquarium.
- Consumable Media Pouches (Carbon, Phos-Zorb, etc) – This should be replaced as noted on the directions for the product.
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Rinse the media baskets and dividers and refill them with clean media
- Stack the media baskets back in the empty canister. Make sure they are stacked straight and that the top BASKET LID (#33) has the raised circle facing up. Note- Failure to do this will result in the filter NOT operating properly and damage to the filter may result. DO NOT fill the canister with water at this time.
STEP 3
Cleaning the Impeller.
- Flip the Blue Motor Housing over.
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Remove the Impeller Cover by turning it counter clockwise.
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Remove the impeller and shaft and inspect them. Clean these parts and set them aside.
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Inspect the opening that the impeller sits in for a build of sludge or debris that may prevent it from turning properly. If it is dirty, clean it out before replacing the impeller.
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Carefully put the shaft and impeller back in place and replace the impeller cover.
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Make sure that the gasket, which sits in the circular groove on the bottom of the motor housing is in place. NOTE: This gasket is not a continuous circle and may have a small gap. This is OK.
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Inspect the Gasket that sits in the grove at the outer edge of the motor housing. Make sure that this O-Ring is not twisted or damaged. If it is the motor housing will not properly seal to the canister.
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Place the blue motor housing back on the canister and secure it in place with the 4 clips. There should NOT be any water in the filter at this time. Do NOT fill the canister with water-
Step 4
Restarting the Filter.
- Return the filter to its position under the aquarium and press the quick release block back into the Blue Motor Housing.
- Push the Quick-Disconnect Lever down and water should begin to fill the canister automatically. (As long as you didn’t drain the Flexible Tubing. If you did, to re-start the filter, refer to the Priming the Filter Section in the set-up directions
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Allow 2 minutes for the canister to fill completely with water. You can use this time to inspect the tubing for kinks and make sure the strainer on the filter intake tube is not clogged.
- Plug the power cord in, remember the “Drip-Loop” to prevent electric shock.
If you have any difficulty at this time, refer to the troubleshooting section.
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