This is a great video - the best I've seen about O-rings maintenance. Only 2 comments: a. There is one more O-Ring securing the seat of the impeller. It is recommended to clean and coat it too; and b. It is much easier to remove and reinstall the impeller O-ring after you remove the impeller.
Did you know there are 8 O-rings on an Fx6 Filter? If even ONE gets damaged, it can leak. o-Ring inspection and lubrication as well as impeller cleaning video. Let me know if this video helped you! UPDATE: I missed an o-ring in the plunge valve. Thank you to those who advised me of this! ❤️
One of the most important videos on UA-cam for FX filter maintenance. So important. Good work fella. I was about to search for an FX Impeller cleaning video
Thank you so much for this information 🙏🏻 one of my o rings snapped today and fell out of my aquastop valve. I couldn’t see where it came from or whether it was fixable but it looks very simple to replace after seeing this video 😌 I currently have no aquastop on my intake pipe 😬
Another tip is to keep on hand a service kit that comes with all new o-rings. Like you said you never know when it's going to leak. So be prepared I also keep a spare valve as well.
Hello cichlidcharmer I may be wrong but I think you may have forgotten a seal in your purge valve. You have to push out the open and close valve (dial). Be sure to remember how it goes back together. There is a seal in there that sits like a boot. You pull that off and lub that as well. My fx4 has a seal in that purge valve as well. There have been a few videos on this and have forgotten to mention the seal inside the dial. You have to take something dull and give it a bit of a knock, it will come out and you will find a seal in there. Cathy
Love your channel. So happy I found it! I have 2 community tanks currently but would love to start keeping cichlids. What’s a good beginner cichlid setup you’d suggest to get some experience with keeping them?
I sure appreciate the kind words, Nigel. Cichlids are tough no matter what you start with, since they always have the capacity to go serial killer on you. I don’t have any mbuna experience except for Ray, my yellow lab, so I will have to refer to peacocks and haps. I would recommend a 125 or larger no matter what, if you can do that. That gives them room to get away to some degree if someone goes crazy. You can do it in a 75, but in my experience I feel better about the additional two feet of swimming room. So you have to keep size in mind. I wouldn’t go any larger than a five inch fish in a 75. Maybe a benga sunshine, blue neon, flame tail, red shoulder, and a few other smaller and usually nicer fish. Usually 😜. Have a separate tank where you can quickly take one out if necessary, too. They say overstocking is the way to go, but I feel like no matter what, you can have trouble lightly stocked or heavily stocked. I think watching them is the best way to know. You might only have ten in a 75, and it’s great. Add one more and all hell breaks loose. I’m glad to help if you have any other questions.
You would probably be okay not doing it when it’s brand new, and I never have, but I will in the future just in case. Once a year or you could do more frequently if you like.
Hard to say without seeing it. When you say not working, do you mean there is no sound or anything? Like it's not plugged in, but it is plugged in? I may not be able to tell without seeing it. One thing I would do is check the impeller to make sure it is properly seated in the receptacle. If it isn’t sitting just right it won’t work.
I agree, hard to say but a stuck impeller is most probable. Suggest drain completely then remove to well lighted area and remove the pump. The center (impeller) should spin with a magnetic stick/spin but move freely. Also very important, in the motor hole at the bottom is a rubber grommet that holds the impeller shaft. It has to be seated and the shaft slides into it. Then re-assemble. I am usually against dry spinning and impeller but in your case once reinstalled plug it in for 2 seconds and you should hear it spin. Never spin it for more than 2 seconds dry with several minutes between attempts as the rubber can heat up. Best of luck. Frank - 20 year reef keeper.
Would the oil version work? Bought the Silicone oil instead of the Silicone grease from the same brand that is used in this video. Also how often should I lube the main gasket and the Aquastop gasket. The 407 have only three O ring that I know of
I really am not sure about the oil version, but I know what Fluval suggests we use, and that's the silicone, so I am using that. I am going to lube mine every year, but you can lube them more often if you like. I've read some people lubing their gaskets every 6 mos.
What about the bottom canister o-ring? I only ask because mine looks dried out and I can't figure out how to replace it. Does anyone know the size or a comparison?
@@CichlidCharmer hi thanks .im in south africa struggle to get after sales support from manufacturers i was hoping to have one made.appreciate the response
@@ebrahimmohamed4829another trick that works perfectly AS LONG AS YOU HAVE ONE THAT'S IN GOOD CONDITION, is a good RUBBER BAND , and as most rubber bands have certain limits before the inevitable, there's no real one that is the Best , that's why depending on the size of the band and thickness the best way to go with whatever you can get that FITS is using multiple within reason but 3 - 4 thin bands or 2 minimum of the more heavy duty variety. Also remember that they can be different visually speaking, but work perfectly together since the process of making them has a lot to do with their limits for strength and the mineral makeup in the water , ETC. but once you have a few that are going to have the POTENTIAL TO WORK UNTIL finding the replacement this is the next best thing.
@@CichlidCharmer It's at the bottom of the canister just where the basket assembly rests. And another such O-ring the same size came in the box....a spare?? Is there a way to send a photo here?
Yes! I hopped on UA-cam just to find out about this one because it came off while cleaning & I want to be sure I put it back in the correct place. I can't find my instruction booklet. Guess I can download it from Fluval.
@@kristin6935 I didn't see any reference to it in my install instructions. However there's a narrow circular track at the base of the filter basket area, where the rubber ring is seated.
@@CichlidCharmer the red valves have some special orings, if you remove the purge valve and press the red valve out from the socket you see. It has the same but bigger in the outlet/inlet valves.
Great guide, but there are still areas that can and should be improved. I followed this guide - ua-cam.com/video/hYPxFFeu4hc/v-deo.htmlsi=zKbDhVInNaIBreuT, and it turned out to be not difficult at all. I think this guide will be helpful both to the video author and others.
Wtf is the other o ring for? That’s real smart to make a rubber band look like the o ring dip shit designers. It came around one of the merchandise packages in the fx6. It looks like a o ring.
This is a great video - the best I've seen about O-rings maintenance. Only 2 comments: a. There is one more O-Ring securing the seat of the impeller. It is recommended to clean and coat it too; and b. It is much easier to remove and reinstall the impeller O-ring after you remove the impeller.
Thank you! I'll have to refresh this video eventually.
Did you know there are 8 O-rings on an Fx6 Filter? If even ONE gets damaged, it can leak. o-Ring inspection and lubrication as well as impeller cleaning video. Let me know if this video helped you! UPDATE: I missed an o-ring in the plunge valve. Thank you to those who advised me of this! ❤️
One of the most important videos on UA-cam for FX filter maintenance. So important. Good work fella. I was about to search for an FX Impeller cleaning video
Thank you so much for watching, and remembering to drop a comment,Paul!
Great video. After watching this video I purchased this lubricant to put on both of my canister filter. Thanks for info.
Thank you, and you're welcome
Thank you, this was exactly what I needed to learn. Embarrassed to say I've never done this (or cleaned the impeller), but will tonight!
Awesome! Make sure you read the top pinned comment. I missed one!
Thank you so much for this information 🙏🏻 one of my o rings snapped today and fell out of my aquastop valve. I couldn’t see where it came from or whether it was fixable but it looks very simple to replace after seeing this video 😌 I currently have no aquastop on my intake pipe 😬
Yikes -- glad this helped though!
Another great video. I also stripped down the valves and lubed the O rings in them, makes it much smoother and easier to turn.
That’s smart 💡. Thank you!
This video wasn't just great it was sofa king great........ So indept yet so simple 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏
I appreciate the feedback more than you know! Sofa king great… 😆
Another tip is to keep on hand a service kit that comes with all new o-rings. Like you said you never know when it's going to leak. So be prepared I also keep a spare valve as well.
Excellent advice 😎
Thanks! This is a GREAT video. Very educational. Good editing and excellent explanations.
I appreciate that, Jose!
Hello cichlidcharmer
I may be wrong but I think you may have forgotten a seal in your purge valve. You have to push out the open and close valve (dial). Be sure to remember how it goes back together. There is a seal in there that sits like a boot. You pull that off and lub that as well. My fx4 has a seal in that purge valve as well. There have been a few videos on this and have forgotten to mention the seal inside the dial. You have to take something dull and give it a bit of a knock, it will come out and you will find a seal in there. Cathy
I did, yes. Thank you! Another viewer pointed this out. I will make a note in the comments and video description. I appreciate your help!
Great video when cleaning the impeller the oring can go first
Thank you 🙏
This is fantastic. Thankyou
Thanks, and you bet!
Love your channel. So happy I found it! I have 2 community tanks currently but would love to start keeping cichlids. What’s a good beginner cichlid setup you’d suggest to get some experience with keeping them?
I sure appreciate the kind words, Nigel. Cichlids are tough no matter what you start with, since they always have the capacity to go serial killer on you. I don’t have any mbuna experience except for Ray, my yellow lab, so I will have to refer to peacocks and haps. I would recommend a 125 or larger no matter what, if you can do that. That gives them room to get away to some degree if someone goes crazy. You can do it in a 75, but in my experience I feel better about the additional two feet of swimming room. So you have to keep size in mind. I wouldn’t go any larger than a five inch fish in a 75. Maybe a benga sunshine, blue neon, flame tail, red shoulder, and a few other smaller and usually nicer fish. Usually 😜. Have a separate tank where you can quickly take one out if necessary, too. They say overstocking is the way to go, but I feel like no matter what, you can have trouble lightly stocked or heavily stocked. I think watching them is the best way to know. You might only have ten in a 75, and it’s great. Add one more and all hell breaks loose. I’m glad to help if you have any other questions.
Excellent video about where do you buy the o-rings from?
Thanks! Amazon or BRS.
Is there anything I can use as a substitute if I don't have the specific lubricant that you're using?
I think just food grade lubricant.
So you mentioned you only need to do this once a yr? And do i need to do this the very 1st time I buy the canister?
You would probably be okay not doing it when it’s brand new, and I never have, but I will in the future just in case. Once a year or you could do more frequently if you like.
Hi. My fx5 was working well. I took the impeller out to clean like you did. Put everything back. Now it's not working. What did I do wrong? Thank you.
Hard to say without seeing it. When you say not working, do you mean there is no sound or anything? Like it's not plugged in, but it is plugged in? I may not be able to tell without seeing it. One thing I would do is check the impeller to make sure it is properly seated in the receptacle. If it isn’t sitting just right it won’t work.
I agree, hard to say but a stuck impeller is most probable. Suggest drain completely then remove to well lighted area and remove the pump. The center (impeller) should spin with a magnetic stick/spin but move freely. Also very important, in the motor hole at the bottom is a rubber grommet that holds the impeller shaft. It has to be seated and the shaft slides into it. Then re-assemble. I am usually against dry spinning and impeller but in your case once reinstalled plug it in for 2 seconds and you should hear it spin. Never spin it for more than 2 seconds dry with several minutes between attempts as the rubber can heat up. Best of luck. Frank - 20 year reef keeper.
Would the oil version work? Bought the Silicone oil instead of the Silicone grease from the same brand that is used in this video. Also how often should I lube the main gasket and the Aquastop gasket. The 407 have only three O ring that I know of
I really am not sure about the oil version, but I know what Fluval suggests we use, and that's the silicone, so I am using that. I am going to lube mine every year, but you can lube them more often if you like. I've read some people lubing their gaskets every 6 mos.
Could NOT using the lubricant cause the on and off pausing of my fx6 . It just recently started. I have changed the propeller didn’t change.
I don’t believe so, but did you thoroughly clean out the impeller housing?
I hear that FX6 is notorious for valve leak
No problems yet 🤞
I bought a 6 month one. Hopefully not an issue as well. Got an spare one with the fx6 tho.
What about the bottom canister o-ring? I only ask because mine looks dried out and I can't figure out how to replace it. Does anyone know the size or a comparison?
I do not.
Hi i purchased a second hand filter o ring is missing could provide me with the main o ring thickness
I am not sure about the thickness. I would just buy the one made by Fluval.
@@CichlidCharmer hi thanks .im in south africa struggle to get after sales support from manufacturers i was hoping to have one made.appreciate the response
@@ebrahimmohamed4829another trick that works perfectly AS LONG AS YOU HAVE ONE THAT'S IN GOOD CONDITION, is a good RUBBER BAND , and as most rubber bands have certain limits before the inevitable, there's no real one that is the Best , that's why depending on the size of the band and thickness the best way to go with whatever you can get that FITS is using multiple within reason but 3 - 4 thin bands or 2 minimum of the more heavy duty variety. Also remember that they can be different visually speaking, but work perfectly together since the process of making them has a lot to do with their limits for strength and the mineral makeup in the water , ETC. but once you have a few that are going to have the POTENTIAL TO WORK UNTIL finding the replacement this is the next best thing.
Just unboxed my FX6. There's a thin O-ring at the bottom of the basket assembly.
One I missed? Can you give me more details about where it is? I also found out recently there is another gasket inside the valves.
@@CichlidCharmer It's at the bottom of the canister just where the basket assembly rests. And another such O-ring the same size came in the box....a spare?? Is there a way to send a photo here?
@@gardensare I have never found any use for that “extra” o-ring. Could you send a pic to cichlidcharmer@gmail.com?
Yes! I hopped on UA-cam just to find out about this one because it came off while cleaning & I want to be sure I put it back in the correct place. I can't find my instruction booklet. Guess I can download it from Fluval.
@@kristin6935 I didn't see any reference to it in my install instructions. However there's a narrow circular track at the base of the filter basket area, where the rubber ring is seated.
I never use the purge valve either 😅
Yeah, I already have a pump out to refill, so why mess with the purge valve which can leak?
@@CichlidCharmerif I don't use the purge valve do I still have to lube the o ring or is it fine
What about the o rings that are in the valves. Mine were leaking not sure how to get to them with out breaking the little clip on the valves.
Not sure what you mean. I am not aware of more o rings than what I have in the video. Did I miss some??
@@CichlidCharmer the red valves have some special orings, if you remove the purge valve and press the red valve out from the socket you see. It has the same but bigger in the outlet/inlet valves.
@@Horna87Trying to picture this -- you're saying I missed a few, right?
@@CichlidCharmer it's hard to explain but i link a video and you understand. It's at 4.50 min. ua-cam.com/video/Wq6LQyT9vh0/v-deo.html
@@Horna87 okay, got it. I had no idea there was a gasket in there, but I can see it would need one. Thank you!
Yes of course, spend $30 on specialty lube when the maintenance kit is $60.
Great guide, but there are still areas that can and should be improved. I followed this guide - ua-cam.com/video/hYPxFFeu4hc/v-deo.htmlsi=zKbDhVInNaIBreuT, and it turned out to be not difficult at all. I think this guide will be helpful both to the video author and others.
Thank you. I'll have to eventually make another video on the subject.
Wtf is the other o ring for? That’s real smart to make a rubber band look like the o ring dip shit designers. It came around one of the merchandise packages in the fx6. It looks like a o ring.
Totally confused me when I set them up. I agree with you!!