Ocean Clear Canister Help

beefwhistle · 02/22/2015, 04:33 AM

After nearly 20 years we had to replace our ocean clear filter due to a mystery leak. We got a new canister (model 319), lid and o-ring and have everything set up with just one problem, the lid.

Our old canister uses the thinner o-ring which goes into the groove around the side of the canister near the top. When putting the lid on it would be a snug fit.

The new canister uses the thicker o-ring(we phoned to verify) and we can not get the lid down. We tried a spare o-ring of the same size and still the same problem. I am using both hands and putting massive force on it and the lid simply wont go down. we have tried the old thinner o-ring just to see if it would work, it leaks. the vent plug is also out so its not an issue of air pressure.

Did something change with these canisters or is there a trick to this im missing, any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

rgulrich · 02/22/2015, 06:20 AM

The OCF's were great pressure filters - mine ran off of a Little Giant 3MD for years...Finally retired it with the 225 about a year and half ago.

If it's the new parts that aren't sealing, I'd take it up with the either the company that sold it to you and/or the manufacturer.

I remember I used to use silicone grease on the rubber o-ring and lightly tap the lid down with the (rubber covered) handle of a hammer and then the same when tightening the retainer ring and the lid vent open. If you can't get the lid to seat over the o-ring, though, I'd give the manufacturer a call.

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ray

ca1ore · 02/22/2015, 09:03 AM

I'm not entirely sure I'm following your explanation. Longtime user of these things, also retired within the last couple of years. My cannister has a thick O ring that is more oblong than round though. There is a groove on the top lip of the body of the cannister and a matching groove on the lid. O ring seats into both grooves but there will still be a gap between the two plastic rims (as designed). When you put the band clamp around (it should easily fit) and tighten it it will compress the Omring slightly and seal the cannister. However, the gap still remains (maybe 1/8th of an inch).

beefwhistle · 02/22/2015, 09:50 AM

here maybe this will make things easier to understand the issue.

1. the bottom of my lid. there is no groove or anything, looks the same as the old canister lid.
2. this is where the o-ring is seated
3. close up of the o-ring showing the fit
4. this is about as far down as the lid goes. with our old setup the plastic of the canister and the lid would meet, completely covering the o-ring.

rgulrich · 02/22/2015, 02:27 PM

OP - could you set up a couple of pics by any chance? I used a hand full of these for nearly 25 years (anyone else remember the trickle filter/air pump version of the OCF canister system?).
We might be able to figure something out with a few pics to go along with your explanation.

Cheers,
Ray

ca1ore · 02/22/2015, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgulrich

(anyone else remember the trickle filter/air pump version of the OCF canister system?).

Yeah, yeah, I remember buying one and bringing it home in my brand new Edsel

PS - did a quick search and it appears the old stainless band clamp has been replaced by a more traditional lid. Not sure my prior comments are useful.

beefwhistle · 02/22/2015, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgulrich

OP - could you set up a couple of pics by any chance? I used a hand full of these for nearly 25 years (anyone else remember the trickle filter/air pump version of the OCF canister system?).
We might be able to figure something out with a few pics to go along with your explanation.

Cheers,
Ray

I posted pictures right above your post.

Quote:

PS - did a quick search and it appears the old stainless band clamp has been replaced by a more traditional lid. Not sure my prior comments are useful.

even our old canister from 20 years ago used the same lid. you sure your aren't confusing ocean clear and nu-clear

rgulrich · 02/22/2015, 06:33 PM

Sorry - I'm not seeing any pics in the thread (I'm sitting at a PC).
Here's a copy of a pic from Drs. Foster and Smith's site, using Photobucket:

rgulrich · 02/22/2015, 06:33 PM

@Simon - You got that Edsel! Man, I am jealous!

beefwhistle · 02/22/2015, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgulrich

Sorry - I'm not seeing any pics in the thread (I'm sitting at a PC).
Here's a copy of a pic from Drs. Foster and Smith's site, using Photobucket:
[IMG]http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq239/rgulrich_photobucket/Marriottsville%20Reef%202014-/OCF.jpg[IMG]

my picture shows up fine for me. heres a direct link:

http://i.imgur.com/gEgMjvk.jpg

ca1ore · 02/22/2015, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beefwhistle

you sure your aren't confusing ocean clear and nu-clear

Yes, that is exactly what I am doing

Mine is indeed a Nu-clear - out of sight out of mind is guess. So, in the immortal words of Gilda Radner, 'never mind'.

02/22/2015, 04:33 AM	#1
beefwhistle Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 6	Ocean Clear Canister Help After nearly 20 years we had to replace our ocean clear filter due to a mystery leak. We got a new canister (model 319), lid and o-ring and have everything set up with just one problem, the lid. Our old canister uses the thinner o-ring which goes into the groove around the side of the canister near the top. When putting the lid on it would be a snug fit. The new canister uses the thicker o-ring(we phoned to verify) and we can not get the lid down. We tried a spare o-ring of the same size and still the same problem. I am using both hands and putting massive force on it and the lid simply wont go down. we have tried the old thinner o-ring just to see if it would work, it leaks. the vent plug is also out so its not an issue of air pressure. Did something change with these canisters or is there a trick to this im missing, any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

02/22/2015, 06:20 AM	#2
rgulrich greybeard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: MD Posts: 893	The OCF's were great pressure filters - mine ran off of a Little Giant 3MD for years...Finally retired it with the 225 about a year and half ago. If it's the new parts that aren't sealing, I'd take it up with the either the company that sold it to you and/or the manufacturer. I remember I used to use silicone grease on the rubber o-ring and lightly tap the lid down with the (rubber covered) handle of a hammer and then the same when tightening the retainer ring and the lid vent open. If you can't get the lid to seat over the o-ring, though, I'd give the manufacturer a call. Hope this helps. Cheers, Ray __________________ The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 360 degree walk around 300 DD island–4 300W & 2 165W ViparSpectra, 4 Kessil A350W, 2 A360WE, 3 XF150, 1 XF250, 1 XF350 Gyre along with 2 PP40 and 2 IceCap 3K gyre for robust current. Basement 150 gallon RubberMaid sump, SKIMZ skimmer, DCP18000

02/22/2015, 09:03 AM	#3
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I'm not entirely sure I'm following your explanation. Longtime user of these things, also retired within the last couple of years. My cannister has a thick O ring that is more oblong than round though. There is a groove on the top lip of the body of the cannister and a matching groove on the lid. O ring seats into both grooves but there will still be a gap between the two plastic rims (as designed). When you put the band clamp around (it should easily fit) and tighten it it will compress the Omring slightly and seal the cannister. However, the gap still remains (maybe 1/8th of an inch). __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/22/2015, 02:27 PM	#5
rgulrich greybeard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: MD Posts: 893	OP - could you set up a couple of pics by any chance? I used a hand full of these for nearly 25 years (anyone else remember the trickle filter/air pump version of the OCF canister system?). We might be able to figure something out with a few pics to go along with your explanation. Cheers, Ray __________________ The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 360 degree walk around 300 DD island–4 300W & 2 165W ViparSpectra, 4 Kessil A350W, 2 A360WE, 3 XF150, 1 XF250, 1 XF350 Gyre along with 2 PP40 and 2 IceCap 3K gyre for robust current. Basement 150 gallon RubberMaid sump, SKIMZ skimmer, DCP18000

02/22/2015, 06:33 PM	#8
rgulrich greybeard Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: MD Posts: 893	Sorry - I'm not seeing any pics in the thread (I'm sitting at a PC). Here's a copy of a pic from Drs. Foster and Smith's site, using Photobucket: __________________ The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 360 degree walk around 300 DD island–4 300W & 2 165W ViparSpectra, 4 Kessil A350W, 2 A360WE, 3 XF150, 1 XF250, 1 XF350 Gyre along with 2 PP40 and 2 IceCap 3K gyre for robust current. Basement 150 gallon RubberMaid sump, SKIMZ skimmer, DCP18000

02/22/2015, 09:50 AM	#4
beefwhistle Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 6	here maybe this will make things easier to understand the issue. 1. the bottom of my lid. there is no groove or anything, looks the same as the old canister lid. 2. this is where the o-ring is seated 3. close up of the o-ring showing the fit 4. this is about as far down as the lid goes. with our old setup the plastic of the canister and the lid would meet, completely covering the o-ring.