Fluval External aquarium filter A217 A217 Data Sheet
Product codes
A217
8
9
3. Prepare the Filter
First disconnect AquaStop from filter and bring the filter to a sink making sure there are no soaps or chemicals which
could contaminate the filter.
First disconnect AquaStop from filter and bring the filter to a sink making sure there are no soaps or chemicals which
could contaminate the filter.
IMPORTANT: The Bio-Foam, BIOMAX, fine pads and carbon filter media supplied with your
Fluval filter have been deliberately placed in Upper, Mid, and Lower level baskets to indicate their
recommended placement for optimal basic filtration. Be sure to note this positioning and place
media in baskets at the same levels as you prepare the filter for use.
Fluval filter have been deliberately placed in Upper, Mid, and Lower level baskets to indicate their
recommended placement for optimal basic filtration. Be sure to note this positioning and place
media in baskets at the same levels as you prepare the filter for use.
1. Remove the foam screen frame, media cover, and media baskets from the filter canister.
The small white styrofoam square must be discarded. As you remove Carbon and BIOMAX
from baskets, note which levels they were packed in. Then remove their outer wrappers; do
not remove carbon from porous bag(s).
from baskets, note which levels they were packed in. Then remove their outer wrappers; do
not remove carbon from porous bag(s).
2. Rinse baskets and media materials under running tap water to remove any dust, and place
media in baskets. Or, if you prefer, select other media of your own choosing.
(See “Fluval Advanced Filtration” for more information.)
(See “Fluval Advanced Filtration” for more information.)
3. Place rinsed and filled media baskets back in canister, and put the media cover back on
top basket.
IMPORTANT: Make certain that each kind of media is positioned at the same level it
was packaged in, unless you are deliberately choosing a different filtration plan than the
recommended basic setup. Never overfill baskets. If baskets or cover are out of position, cover
may not close properly.
IMPORTANT: Make certain that each kind of media is positioned at the same level it
was packaged in, unless you are deliberately choosing a different filtration plan than the
recommended basic setup. Never overfill baskets. If baskets or cover are out of position, cover
may not close properly.
4. Rinse both sides of the foam screen frame under tap water before initial use to remove any possible
contaminants, and slide it back into position in the canister, flat end down. If the screen does not seem to fit
properly, be sure it is not upside down.
properly, be sure it is not upside down.
5. Complete canister cover assembly:
a. Lay the canister cover on a flat surface with its topside down. Remove the lubricated rubber gasket from
its plastic bag. To seal the cover opening properly, the gasket must be moist but it need not be wet.
Carefully fit the gasket into the channel around the base of the cover.
Carefully fit the gasket into the channel around the base of the cover.
b. Slide the impeller cover tab into the tab
receptacle on the rim of the impeller
chamber. Push down the opposite
side of the impeller cover making sure
the impeller starts to seat itself in the
center of the impeller cover. Continue
to push down until the retailing tab
“clicks” and locks into position.
chamber. Push down the opposite
side of the impeller cover making sure
the impeller starts to seat itself in the
center of the impeller cover. Continue
to push down until the retailing tab
“clicks” and locks into position.
6. Place the cover on the canister. Be sure to position it properly. There is only one
orientation possible. Make certain that the MSF logo on the cover and canister is
aligned and that the power cord fits into the notch on the rim of the canister.
aligned and that the power cord fits into the notch on the rim of the canister.
7. Lock the cover in place. Push the double tabs of the lift-lock clamps under the
rim; then press the upper tabs firmly against the cover.
DO NOT FILL CANISTER WITH WATER
8. Place the unit in its final position inside the cabinet.
9. Insert the AquaStop valve into the intake and output connectors on the cover, and
push down on the locking lever to lock it in place.
10. Keep the AquaStop valve closed with the valve lever all the way up.
11. DO NOT PLUG IT IN NOW. The Filter is ready for start-up, but it can
be started only after all aquarium accessories have been installed
and the filter is full of water. For the filter start-up, refer to start up
section below.
and the filter is full of water. For the filter start-up, refer to start up
section below.
ADVANCED FLUVAL FILTRATION
The Fluval Stack of Media Baskets
The stack of media baskets in the Fluval 06 series filters enables you to employ all three types of filtration in whatever
configuration or sequence you determine is best to meet the needs of your aquarium environment.
The stack of media baskets in the Fluval 06 series filters enables you to employ all three types of filtration in whatever
configuration or sequence you determine is best to meet the needs of your aquarium environment.
Filtration always begins with a mechanical stage of waste particle removal as water flows through various foam screens,
and continues with subsequent biological and chemical stages as it flows up through the media in the baskets.
and continues with subsequent biological and chemical stages as it flows up through the media in the baskets.
Because you can use the media of your choosing at each level, you will able to design a system that provides additional
mechanical, biological and chemical filtration if you wish.
mechanical, biological and chemical filtration if you wish.
For detailed information, as well as general guidelines for media selection please visit www.fluvalaquarium.com
General Guideline
• Location can determine function:
For example, BIOMAX can act primarily as a screen for debris or act more as an environment for growth of beneficial
bacteria, depending on where it is placed in the filtration sequence.
• Proper preparation is key:
Some materials, such as Ammonia Remover, require thorough rinsing so that their finest particles do not clog other
modules or discharge into the aquarium. For best results and the protection of your fish, always read and follow
the preparation instructions for the media you are using.
• Use mechanical filter media in the first stage of filtration:
This helps ensure that the water will be as free of debris as possible when it flows through biological and/or chemical
filters, which require clear water for maximum effectiveness.
To achieve maximum effectiveness, Fluval 06 offers three types of mechanical filtration: the white foam traps the
larger particles, the black foam traps smaller particles and the polishing pad removes the micro-particulate.
• Protect chemical media from debris:
Chemical filtering media modifies the chemical characteristics of the water by absorbing toxic compounds
(eg, medicines, odors and organic contaminants). The filtration effectiveness of Fluval activated carbon, for example,
is provided by its huge surface and contact with water (up to 1000 m2/g). Therefore it is necessary to prevent the
chemical filter media from clogging by macro and micro-particulate. Placing chemical filter media at the last stage of
filtration will allow it to work best.
• Location can determine function:
For example, BIOMAX can act primarily as a screen for debris or act more as an environment for growth of beneficial
bacteria, depending on where it is placed in the filtration sequence.
• Proper preparation is key:
Some materials, such as Ammonia Remover, require thorough rinsing so that their finest particles do not clog other
modules or discharge into the aquarium. For best results and the protection of your fish, always read and follow
the preparation instructions for the media you are using.
• Use mechanical filter media in the first stage of filtration:
This helps ensure that the water will be as free of debris as possible when it flows through biological and/or chemical
filters, which require clear water for maximum effectiveness.
To achieve maximum effectiveness, Fluval 06 offers three types of mechanical filtration: the white foam traps the
larger particles, the black foam traps smaller particles and the polishing pad removes the micro-particulate.
• Protect chemical media from debris:
Chemical filtering media modifies the chemical characteristics of the water by absorbing toxic compounds
(eg, medicines, odors and organic contaminants). The filtration effectiveness of Fluval activated carbon, for example,
is provided by its huge surface and contact with water (up to 1000 m2/g). Therefore it is necessary to prevent the
chemical filter media from clogging by macro and micro-particulate. Placing chemical filter media at the last stage of
filtration will allow it to work best.
Lower level basket
Media that continues the mechanical capture of small particles should be placed in the
lowest media basket, to purify water and/or remove particles before they can clog delicate
pores of biological or chemical substrates. The Bio-Foam is ideal to remove small
dirt particles that are not retained by the Foam Screen Frame. In addition, this foam
provides a large surface to accommodate bacteria colonies, providing an ideal
environment for proliferation of beneficial bacteria and increasing the biological
action of Fluval BIOMAX.
Media that continues the mechanical capture of small particles should be placed in the
lowest media basket, to purify water and/or remove particles before they can clog delicate
pores of biological or chemical substrates. The Bio-Foam is ideal to remove small
dirt particles that are not retained by the Foam Screen Frame. In addition, this foam
provides a large surface to accommodate bacteria colonies, providing an ideal
environment for proliferation of beneficial bacteria and increasing the biological
action of Fluval BIOMAX.
Mid Level Basket(s)
The mid level basket is a good place to begin the biological reduction process. A lot
of media types provide both mechanical filtration and biological treatment, creating an
excellent environment for beneficial bacteria to proliferate. With the primary mechanical
purification of the water stream occurring in the Foam Screen Frame and the lower
basket, it is typical to load biological media as BIOMAX into the mid level basket.
The mid level basket is a good place to begin the biological reduction process. A lot
of media types provide both mechanical filtration and biological treatment, creating an
excellent environment for beneficial bacteria to proliferate. With the primary mechanical
purification of the water stream occurring in the Foam Screen Frame and the lower
basket, it is typical to load biological media as BIOMAX into the mid level basket.
Upper level basket
This basket receives the clearest water, making it the ideal place for dedicated
chemical media. Placed here, Carbon, for example, efficiently removes discolorations,
medications and solubilized wastes that a mechanical screen cannot. To increase the action of chemical
filter media and to prevent clogging from micro-particulate, it is suggested to use a Polishing pad just prior to
the chemical media. The fine filtration and chemical materials require more frequent maintenance than biological
materials and their placement at the top makes it easier to wash and/or replace without affecting the biological
media.
This basket receives the clearest water, making it the ideal place for dedicated
chemical media. Placed here, Carbon, for example, efficiently removes discolorations,
medications and solubilized wastes that a mechanical screen cannot. To increase the action of chemical
filter media and to prevent clogging from micro-particulate, it is suggested to use a Polishing pad just prior to
the chemical media. The fine filtration and chemical materials require more frequent maintenance than biological
materials and their placement at the top makes it easier to wash and/or replace without affecting the biological
media.
FILTER START-UP
Prior to start-up, the aquarium must be full of water. Do not operate
filter dry.
Before proceeding, verify that the lift-lock clamps are securely closed.
Fill the Filter canister with water by opening the AquaStop valve. Push the valve lever on the AquaStop valve all the
way down. You will hear the aquarium water flushing into the filter canister for few minutes. As water flows into the
canister, it will force air out. Air will be expelled into the aquarium causing water to bubble. Once the bubbling in the
Fill the Filter canister with water by opening the AquaStop valve. Push the valve lever on the AquaStop valve all the
way down. You will hear the aquarium water flushing into the filter canister for few minutes. As water flows into the
canister, it will force air out. Air will be expelled into the aquarium causing water to bubble. Once the bubbling in the
Rubber Gasket