Hey everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone else may have run into this problem and/or might have some advice for me. If I remember correctly, about two years ago I picked up one of the new (at the time) Marineland C-Series filters...more specifically, the one that is rated for a 55 gallon tank. I actually liked that filter so much that I have two of them but about two weeks ago, after a routine water change, I suddenly had all sorts of problems, to include a mild bacteria bloom and a ginormous algae bloom. As silly as it sounds, I checked everything I could think of, only to realize that one of my filters wasn't running.

After cleaning the filter and taking care of the resulting problems, I'm still having trouble with this filter. The best description I can give is that for no apparent reason, it just starts leaking. Luckily I learned long ago to keep my cannister filters in a bucket so it's not like I have to change the carpet or anything but once the water level in the bucket reaches the point where the top and bottom of the filter come apart, the leaking stops, but so does the filter. I've already replaced the main o-ring and the leaking has slowed down, but hasn't stopped. When I cleaned the filter again last night, I tried what you might call a pressure test by plugging the "out" hole while pumping water into the "in" hole and vice versa. Believe it or not, it really does look like the water is finding a path out via the handles.

Other than "what do you think this problem could be?", I am also wondering if anyone might know if there might be some additional o-rings or gaskets inside the top of the filter (the part which has the handles)? I know that I could just open it all up and explore on my own but I thought I would bounce this situation off you guys to see what you might think. I also understand that the easy answer would be to buy a new filter - which I am not opposed to at all - but for some reason, I am very curious to figure out what is causing this problem, even if it is just to help me prolong the life of my other, identical filter.

Thanks in advance for your help!
-TG

Hey old friend,


Any news with the filter? We don't carry marineland cansiters at our store but have had heaps of trouble with a company called Reaction 4 with the exact same discription only it doesn't take two years. That is a little surprising to hear that a marineland filter is not lasting the test of time.

I am also still a bit surprised because I am having similar issues but they seem to happen less frequently now. I haven't given up yet and continue to make sure I check everything more often. Since I'm only having problems with one of the two filters I have, I am hoping this is an isolated thing but just in case, I've been running some HOB filters.

As for the bacteria and subsequent algae bloom, all is now very very clear in the tank and luckily I was able to get some decent pictures so hopefully I will be able to organize them here someday soon.

Ok, I figured it out finally! It seems as though some sort of 'gunk', for lack of a better term, found its way on to the primer button of this problematic filter which wasn't letting it pop back up completely. I'm not sure if it is lucky or not but I found the filter plugged in but not working again and could clearly see the water coming from the primer. A quick clean with some rigorous testing seems to have fixed the problem and it is also quite a bit easier to get the filter running again (or so it seems). I'm pretty sure that this is also the same filter I used on my SW tank before so perhaps this is a case of unseen salt build up. If this happens again (knock on wood), I'll probably be back with some more questions!

Talk about strange problems. I'm glad you got that figured out.