Have I damaged my filter?

[Puff_Daddy]

I've had a Fluval external 206 filter for around 5 months.

The instructions did not give details of what to do when carrying out a water change so when doing weekly water changes I've been lifting the aquastop valve all the way to the top whilst still running so that the outake doesn't squirt water everywhere.

Realised after 5 months of use that the instructions warn to never to lift it over the half way mark when regulating flow.

I'm not sure if the flow seems as powerful as it should, or it might be my imagination.

Am I likely to have done some serious damage to my filter?

[JRC3]

If it's not making any noise I wouldn't worry about it.

Right before a water change just unplug the filter and then plug it back in once done. That's all you need to do.

[Puff_Daddy]

it doesn't seem to be making any out of the ordinary noises, although when i lift the valve up it does make a loud noise.

[JRC3]

I'm sure it's fine. There's only a few parts that would go bad and they are pretty inexpensive.

If it is flowing slow then it may need to be cleaned. Has it been cleaned since you set it up 5 months ago?

[Puff_Daddy]

I'm sure it's fine. There's only a few parts that would go bad and they are pretty inexpensive.

If it is flowing slow then it may need to be cleaned. Has it been cleaned since you set it up 5 months ago?

No it hasn't, that will be my first priority!

[Pufferpunk]

Be sure to pull the impeller out & clean that, too.