Fluval 305 weak flow HELP?

I have recently purchased a Fluval 305 for my 40 breeder turtle tank. I have noticed that with the intake strainer on the intake tube the flow is very weak. So I removed the intake strainer and the flow was strong. When I woke up the next morning my gold chinese algae eater was not in the tank so I thought my turtle ate it or the Fluval sucked him up. I open the Fluval to find my algae eater still alive in the canister. So I need to have the strainer on to prevent this again but I noticed that the check ball is what seems to be reducing the flow . Has anyone tried to remove the check ball in the intake strainer and if so does this increase flow?