fluval 404 outlet to high out of the water

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Aquarium Advice Newbie
Joined
Aug 27, 2008
Messages
6
Here goes my first post:)
hope i posted in the right forum.

I have a 80gal fresh water tank that i just setup this is the first time using
a canister filter, had no problems getting up and running but it seems that
i cant get the outlet down far enough into the tank.

this 404 has the smooth hoses and the rim adapter to which the pickup
and outlet bits just push into.

i have the outlet elbow thing down as far as i can get it
(i even put a bit of tape to make a tighter fit so it could be on
even lower)
but the nozzle is still 100% out of the water and is very noisy and
there is lots of splashing going on, only way i can use it is to have
the flow turned way down, wide open it will move enough water
to start it flowing over the rim of the tank on the far side of the tank.
am i missing something?
is there a different nozzle that one can put on this thing to get it down
into the water?
any input would be good
thanks
matt
 
Hey, I just setup a 304 although it has the ribbed tubing.

I'm kinda confused by what you say. AFAIK the rim adapter is only for the 104/204 models. Also the 04 series is supposed to come with ribbed hose, the 03 series had smooth hose. Now I know that they made many changes even w/ the same model numbers but so far I'm lost.

If you had a pic that would surely help.

Does your output nozzle look like this?
Directional Output Nozzle 104/204/304/404

are you using this?
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18652/si1380737/cl0/fluvalrimadapter104204


Here's a pic of mine that I just setup
img_895114_0_f7ae258a6dff63354ef6bea420a4a0e5.jpg
 
If I understand your question right, you use one or the other... The rim adapter or the curvey thing (technical term). I'm not home right now to check for sure but I remember it being in the directions are one or the other. I'll check tonight.
 
I was wrong as they did make a 404 with smooth hose and its likely the older version. Mine had ribbed hoses.

Also now after looking at that manual(look at pic "f.18"), I'm thinking if you have a standard rectangle tank and its full of water it should be OK. If not then you may have to do something else. I'm currently switching mine to smooth hosing and different inlets/outlets.

Actually it says that its adjustable to raise and lower
Adjust the height of the Adjustable Output Adapter . It can be moved vertically above, below or at
the water surface. It can also be rotated horizontally to ensure output is pointed where current is
required.

Directions are here:
http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/Fluval04.pdf
 
Yeah thats how mine is, that is the "New" version 04, I think the OP's must be different because of the "rim adapter" and the smooth hose so it must be the "old" version 04.
 
Mine 404 ribbed came with both. You might be able to buy the parts. I think the hose size is the same and it's a snug fit so it should hold
 
WoW what a helpful forum, didnt expect so many replys so fast:)

the two parts listed bellow are what I have.

I thought I had the older 404 but when I went for a new impeller
I found that I have the straight blade version.
my manual and parts list show the ribbed hose and bent impeller.
who knows what I have since I picked it up used.
yes the tank is full.
the output nozzle is adjustable and I have it as far down as I can get it.
this is the reason I have the tape on it because its so far down that it
blows off without the tape.
even it I were to fill the tank to the max, the nozzle would still be out of the water.
I think I will end up getting some tubing / hose, and a couple hose clamps
and get it down where I think it should be.
matt




Does your output nozzle look like this?
Directional Output Nozzle 104/204/304/404

are you using this?
Fluval Rim Adapter(104-204) at Big Al's Online
 
Now that you say it is used, you probably can just but the hose and cut it to your specs. You may want to double check the output, mine is hard to get off, so you might have the wrong output or hose.
 
The hose is 14mm ID, but its a funny size, you can use 5/8" ID which is ~16mm. I just bought some smooth hose to replace my ribbed hose from Lowes. The 5/8 hose doesnt seem to fit tight inside the rubber ends but I'm not sure if the smooth hose versions even had these?

So for mine I'm going with 3/4" ID for the inlet since its syphon feed(if it will work?, otherwise 5/8"). Then 5/8" for the outlet. The hose I have doesnt bend very good so I'm using these to bend into the tank. Havent got all the parts yet.

Eheim Outlet-Tube For 400494 at Big Al's Online
Eheim Suction Pipe-Filter 2217/2017 at Big Al's Online

We shall see how it works. I hear the ribbed hose can clog easy, so this should help that as well as improve flow slightly as water doesnt like traveling through rough/bumby pipes
 
Yup, there's the missing link..

'who knows what I have since I picked it up used.'
 
now now be nice:)
It was a good deal, I got it because the last owner was having
problems with it.
I found that he had put the wrong shaft in the impeller so it was
noisy and hanging up, so i put the right shaft in as well as a new impeller cover and
now its like new..
He (the last owner) did say something about the splashing sounds bothering him
( I didnt think anything of it at the time) but i am starting to think that its got the
wrong nozzle too.

I looked at the instructions that came with the thing and i was wrong it shows the smooth
hose as well as what looks like a output nozzle that has a longer tube on it.
In the parts list it shows a part number A-20000
I looked on line at another parts manual and it shows a part number of what looks
like the shorter tube nozzle like what i have and whats shown on the link above
as part number A - 20001.
now i looked all over the place and i cant find a replacment part with this part number.
going to have to make a couple phone calles to see if i can figure this out.
I am sure once I get this last problem sorted it will be a good setup.
for now i just removed the nozzle, I am very impressed how quiet it is.

matt
 
ok after doing more looking around i see that both the A-20000 and 20001 have the same length tube on the nozzle. guess the picture in the instructions that i have
is just wrong.
If anyone knows if there is a nozzle with a longer tube to get the opening of the nozzle
farther down in the tank let me know the part number.
you would think that there should be such a item, what would the owner of a tank with
a tall rim do?
matt
 
take the part w/ you to Lowes/HD/LFS and just find one that fits. Cut to size.. and your golden
 
i think i have the answer to this problem with out having to change to much.
will post back how it goes.
I also contacted hagen directly will be interesting what kind of reply i get from them.
more later
matt
 
just an update to anyone who was watching.
the reply I received from hagen was a joke they were no help at all, thought I would
give them a chance.
I didn't have to change anything on my setup at all I just added one simple part.
I was going to buy the spray bar kit but found a replacement spray bar tube
at big al's. Its the same length as the pickup tube, matches everything nicely looks
good and creates a calm current and no noise at all.
I have to say the 404 is very very quiet the sound of the spray bar is more noticeable
than the pump itself.
cost for the tube was under 5 dollars.
thanks for all the replies and help.
later

matt
 
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