Marineland 360 won't seal

[walkinghorse]

  So every time I clean the marineland 360 it has a problem sealing back up. Usually I can fiddle with it a bit to get it to run quiet again.  This time not so much. I tried Vaseline but it still won't seal and it leaks a bit. Do I need to replace the rubber every six months. This isn't even a year old yet.

[Regalblue]

Wish I could help you out with this, but I haven't used this canister.  I do know that vaseline will break down certain rubber types. Maybe that compounded the problem?

[cranialdisturbance]

I have had similar problems with the Magnum HOT filters.  A couple things that have worked for me:  I use the supplied silicone lubricant to lubricate the o-ring, although not very often.  I have also found that when putting the top on, I make certain that the gasket is evenly spaced all the way around.  I then gently place the top on and use a very subtle twisting motion to get the gasket and mating surfaces aligned with one another.  I have had instances where even this doesn't work.  I caledl Marineland and they sent me out some spare parts.  I found that on one of my Magnums I actually had to run 2 o-rings and that finally got the proper seal.  I have also had to bend the clamping mechanism to achieve more closure force, but the clamping system is different on the 350.  Another thing to check would be the mating surfaces for any burrs or nicks that would distort the shape of the gasket. 

[Ron]

Wish I could help you out with this, but I haven't used this canister.  I do know that vaseline will break down certain rubber types. Maybe that compounded the problem?

x2, though normally when the rubber is breaking down you'll start seeing stress cracks in it.

I haven't used this filter either, but have used fluvals that use a similar o-ring for the seal. Instead of using vasoline, I would just wet the o-ring immediately prior to reassembling it.

6 months doesn't seem like a long time - how often are you taking it apart?

[Steve]

I don;t have the Marineland filter but I do have four Rena canister xp3/xp4's and they seal pretty much the same style with the clamped top holding the large O-ring and every once in awhile I will have a bit of trouble getting them to seal perfectly after some filter work.

Like the others have said the Vaseline is not the best idea. I would take the O-ring out and clean all the Vaseline off the O-ring as well as the mating surface on the filter body. Any little sand or grim can cause a leak on canister O-rings. On my Rena filters when I re-clamp them I always  clamp them opposite when doing it. In other words since I have four clamps I do the LF, RR, RF,LR that way it seals the O-ring better than just clamping down in order around the top of the filter. If you have four clamps then try that as well and it will seat the O-ring better.

Hope you can get it sealed, I know what a PITA that can been when they keep dripping on ya and won't stop.

[walkinghorse]

 Thanks for the help. I just take it a part to clean it when I know it's filthy. Probably had it longer then 6 months. I'm stopping at critters on the way to work today to replace the seal ( 5 bucks)