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When I was cleaning the filter today, I guess I broke the ceramic shaft (which the impeller sits on). Not sure how it happened, but stuff happens, right?
Anyhow, I initially just fit it back together and started the filter up again (before I realized it wasn't supposed to be in two pieces ). The filter ran alright, but was a bit noisy. When I figured out that it actually was broken, I shut off the filter.

I tracked down a replacement part at a local petstore, but wasn't able to get there before the shop closed.

Should I run the filter with the broken shaft? Or leave it off until I get the new part in there? Has anyone else had this problem?

I haven't owned a Fluval before, so I wouldn't know anything about how one works, but if it's only for one day, if you're going to get the replacement part tomorrow, I'd leave it off. Unless your turtle is messy enough to dirty up the water in 12 hours, I wouldn't turn the filter on.

If you run it like this, it could leak, or damage the rest of the filter, I don't know, just my hunch.

Don't run it with a broken shaft! You can damage the magnetic impeller. Also make sure the little rubber ring is seated properly in the bottom of the well...

That's what I figured, although the water already looks a bit cloudy, messy little turtle

Grey goose- I also read that in the instruction manual, but I don't really understand what it means... How can I tell if the rubber thingy has "come out of its seat"?

It's tough to see, I use a penlight. But if the new shaft feels loose after you put it in, its not seated or its missing. You should feel a slight resistance when you press the shaft into place...also make sure the shaft goes into the top cover properly, theres a little rubber thingy there too.

Thanks very much! I'll pay close attention to that when I put the new one in