Will filter media too full, make the filter leaking?

[ching4ever]

Hi!

Recently my old filter jebao 818 burned so i've to buy new filter. Due to money problem, i force to buy a china made filter and it is a totally new brand which just released out for few months only. The brand named JET, model is 3388(suitable to my 4ft tank).

I bought it at Saturday afternoon, set it up and run it for no problem occurs but until just now, 2pm, i found out the water got some leaking out from one closing part(the filter have 4 close part). The water leaking will stop for a while then continue again then stop again.

I've opened up and close it properly again for twice. every time it won't leak for the first hour, after 1-2 hours then only it start the leaking problem. It is very strange as my old jebao also having the leaking problem before, it leak direct after the filter is switch on for 5 minutes only.

I've check some old post from HK forum, some of them that using branded filter like eheim, hydor, fluval, etc will have the leaking problem also. Some of them said that if the filter media put too much(over the basket that can put in), the filter cover may not able to cover it properly so the leaking happen. Is this true?

Anyway i can know whether is the canister problem or the filter media problem? They teach me a method to test the canister, take out all basket left a empty canister and run it, if no leaking means not the canister problem, else it is. But the problem is my canister very strange, it will only leak after 1 hour minimum, then through out the test, i need to wait for an hour and hour?

Long story but anyone, please help me. Thank you very much!!

[valice]

Wait lor... Have to wait for that hour right? Else you will never know if it is indeed the media problem...

If you find it too troublesome to open the canister up so many times just to test, take out some of the media, and run the filter... Other thing is to check the O-ring to see if it is spoilt... (I assumed all canisters should have this) The black rubber thingy that makes the canister water tight...

[ching4ever]

Thanks. look like no other choices, i need to wait....

Is it new filter also will have chance to get O-ring spoilt? If O-ring spoilt, i'll take it back to the shop and ask for replacement!

[valice]

There is always a chance...

[albert]

I suspected the O-ring at the very first thought too. I have used two canister filters before and none had this problem.

[GaspingGurami]

Dried O-ring can allow air into the cannister, and cause leaks. Take out the O-ring carefully. Make sure there are no cracks or nicks on the O-ring and smear it with some petroleum jelly like vaseline, then reinstall it.

[valice]

Petroleum jelly might not be aquarium safe... Use lubricants which are...

[ching4ever]

have to wait till this friday go back home then only can do the checking. already ask my sister to keep her eyes on the filter, if serious leaking, she'll help me swtich off the filter and the inlet/outlet pipe.

hopefully nothing serious happen else i got no spare filter for the tank...

[ching4ever]

problem solved. leaking was stopped at last wednesday while the leaking is start at sunday. but for safety purpose, i take out some normal sponge and replace it with bio-sponge and test run for 2 days, no problem!!

and for the burned jebao 818, i use it as for my cichlid tank, use a pump head to push the water in the filter and back to the tank, works great!!