This filter drove me nuts, too, but finally I suceeded. This is how i've set mine up - plastic grid on bottom, filter sponge next and noodles on top around the clear plastic outlet tube. The guy in the shop said this was right?? Makes it fun to clean. I take out plastic clear tube with black elbow - ease it off pump. Then you have to get a container - I use a plastic jug - and manually pick up all the ceramic things then the filter foam and wash them. To put it back you do the reverse but you'll have to fiddle with the ceramic noodles so they fit under and around the clear tube. Done this many times now, and you may develop your own faster way. Good luck! ps this tank has a tendency to get warm - my cold water fish kept dying so I checked water temp - 27! So be careful - I've now got tetras and guppies along with a flying fox algae eater with no heater! Also the one lone goldfish that obviously likes it hot. Cold water snails kept karking it too.
