How do I get into canister filter to clean media without flooding the place???

spammie5

spammie5

Member
I'm almost embarrassed to ask this - but I need to know and I guess I'm just an idiot....but, I have a Marineland C-360 canister filter and obviously I need to get into it to change out and wash out the various media filter trays. I need to unplug it yes I know, but even after I do that, if I open up the 'lid' to get to all the trays, won't the intake and outtake hoses still bring in water and flood the place or is my physics a little off?

I would think that you wouldn't have to disconnect the hoses every time you want to get into it but I just want to make sure before I flood my living room with precious tank water!
 
premilove

premilove

Active Member
there should be a lever that allows the intake hose to be closed..
man if i was you i would just invest in a sump/fuge to avoid these headaches
 
alix2.0

alix2.0

Active Member
raise it above water level before opening it. or take the intake/outflow hoses out of your tank.keep those raised oved the canister or do it over a sink and youll have no problem.
 
pezenfuego

pezenfuego

Active Member
Originally Posted by alix2.0
http:///forum/post/3002885
raise it above water level before opening it. or take the intake/outflow hoses out of your tank.keep those raised oved the canister or do it over a sink and youll have noproblem.
ALIX!!?!?!
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
I never have a problem with any of my canisters...I just shut off the valves, disconnect them from the canister and take it in to the kitchen...lose a drop of water at most.
If you do not have quick disconnects....I suggest you get them
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
This has a locking piece where both hoses connect that I can "unlock" and disconnect from rest of filter - I'm guessing I can just do that and that'll work. I even watched the stupid dvd that came with it and it wasn't very clear when it came to maintenance. But it did say to disconnect that locking piece...
Thanks for the help. I can't afford to have a sump/fuge right now...first order of business is new lights before anything else!
 
J

janestar

Guest
Originally Posted by Spammie5
http:///forum/post/3002900
This has a locking piece where both hoses connect that I can "unlock" and disconnect from rest of filter - I'm guessing I can just do that and that'll work. I even watched the stupid dvd that came with it and it wasn't very clear when it came to maintenance. But it did say to disconnect that locking piece...
Thanks for the help. I can't afford to have a sump/fuge right now...first order of business is new lights before anything else!
Yeah that should be it! Make sure it is unplugged first! then lug it over to the kitchen sink. Good luck
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
I don't know if there's a way to turn the valves OFF as opposed to just disconnecting them??
I am such a moron...
 
J

janestar

Guest
Originally Posted by Spammie5
http:///forum/post/3002915
I don't know if there's a way to turn the valves OFF as opposed to just disconnecting them??
I am such a moron...

You should take a picture of the canister.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
There should be a switch right before the disconnect...that will close the valve so water does not come out of your hose anymore...
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Stop beating on yourself...Look on the hoses there should be little valves, just above where they connect to the canister.
I am not familuar with your type of canister. Mine has the disconnects there. Please do not try and do anything yet, just study the situation for now.
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
Ok - took a picture - kinda dark and my tank backs up to a mirrored wall so that's why you see reflection...
The black curvy thing that goes from left to right is the just the handle
The black button thing that is just behind the handle is the "lock" that disconnects that whole piece from the rest of the filter. It doesn't have any valves anywhere...only black pieces that 'screw' onto the hoses to tighten the fitting but I don't think those are meant to be undone.
I'm not really beating myself up, but I do feel kinda silly not knowing how to get into my filter...but better for me to ask then to flood my living room...so thanks for y'alls help.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Alright,
Here is what I would do just to be safe.
1. turn off the unit
2.pull the hoses a little out of the water in the tank so nothing can siphon back down.
3. Have a 5g bucket handy
4. grit your teeth and push the button to unlock it and release the hoses.
Nothing should flood, since you pulled the hose out of the water. Quick put the bucket under the hoses to catch any water there from them.
5. clean the canister and put it all back together, reattach hoses (rinse your pads in saltwater to loosen stuff but don’t rinse in fresh water ...that will kill the good bacteria)
6.Put hose back into the tank.
7. plug it back in and cross your fingers you don't have to prim it.
You may have a very nice canister and the "lock" may prevent flooding. Mine allows me to disconnect the hoses by the valves and I can clean the canister.
You may have a fancier version, of what mine does...go over your instructions and watch the video again. Take a deep breath and pause it if you have to in order to get a good look.
You shouldn't have to jump thru hoops to clean the filter.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
HMMM...I do not see turn off valves....you really need to order double quick disconnects
Look them up...you will know exactly why when you see them
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/3002958
no clue on the cannister.. but seriuosly, a mirrored wall?
LOL...Yeah - sounds not only ghetto but very '70's....but actually it's a really small wall and it comes in very handy when looking at the back of the tank!
 
spammie5

spammie5

Member
Flower & Meowzer:
Thanks! The DVD said to disconnect the locking device but didn't show actually removing the hoses either from the tank or the canister but I'll watch it again before I do anything.
I do have a 5 gal bucket so that will be next to me as well when I attempt to do this AND I will research the double quick disconnects....
Thanks so much!
 
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