Fleck 6700 Head with KDF filter stuck in the tank

[cgarai]

Hi,

I have a Fleck head with a KDF filter that I'm trying to remove from the tank, but it won't budge. I've fully unthreaded the head to the point where the threads are exposed and no longer advancing as I turn the head. At this point the head will twist back and forth, but it will not budge out of the tank. I've tried tilting it, shaking it, lying it down and gently rotating but the head won't move.

Any tips?

I'm trying to change the filter and the media.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Bannerman]

Most likely, the 'O' ring surrounding the riser tube has dried out and is stuck to the riser tube.

If the control valve's male threads are no longer engaged with the tank's female socket, then the control valve will normally be removed by pulling straight up while twisting to cause the valve's 'O' ring to slide up the remaining distance of the riser tube.

If the 'O' ring is adhering firmly to the riser tube, the riser tube will often become pulled upwards above the top of the tank while attempting to remove the control valve. Because you are planning to replace the media, it will be OK to continue to pull out the riser tube until the tube and lower screen clear from the tank, but, sufficient height above the tank will be needed my so you may want to perform the task outdoors. Suggest not laying the tank on its side while removing the control valve, as some media is likely to pour out, and pulling out the riser tube and bottom screen will normally cause media to be pulled out through the tank opening.

Hopefully, any KDF was installed within a media guard, which is a small insert suspended in the tank's opening. Once the control valve is removed, a media guard may then be removed by pulling it straight out from the tank, if it wasn't already pulled out while removing the riser tube & bottom screen.

KDF media should never be added loosely into the larger media tank.