Filter problems

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CichlidDevil

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 13, 2012
46
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Califa
I'm trying to set up my fluval 404 but i cant get it to start pumping. I filled the canister with water but nothing I turn it on and all I hear is the motor. What am I doing wrong? This is my first time setting up a canister filter (or tank in general)


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I have a 404 and it can be a headache to get it primed. I usually take the outlet tube and put it in my sump which causes a siphon through the filter and gets everything primed. Once it is primed it is usually pretty much good to go.

If you don't have a sump you might want to consider putting it in the kitchen sink and forcing water through the filter until it starts pumping on its own. (I am on well water so I don't have to deal with chlorine).

You can pretty much pump the little priming handle forever without any effect. Once the filter is pumping the priming handle is good for getting the remaining air out of the filter I have just never had any luck with it actually priming the filter.

I find the 404 very easy to assemble and not get completely sealed. Pretty much every time I clean the 404 I don't get the trays seated 100% and the lid does not seat 100%. So make sure you have the lid completely locked into the body before you start priming it.
 
Oughtsix said:
I have a 404 and it can be a headache to get it primed. I usually take the outlet tube and put it in my sump which causes a siphon through the filter and gets everything primed. Once it is primed it is usually pretty much good to go.

If you don't have a sump you might want to consider putting it in the kitchen sink and forcing water through the filter until it starts pumping on its own. (I am on well water so I do have to deal with chlorine).

You can pretty much pump the little priming handle forever without any effect. Once the filter is pumping the priming handle is good for getting the remaining air out of the filter I have just never had any luck with it actually priming the filter.

I find the 404 very easy to assemble and not get completely sealed. Pretty much every time I clean the 404 I don't get the trays seated 100% and the lid does not seat 100%. So make sure you have the lid completely locked into the body before you start priming it.
Click to expand...

Yea I was pumping that ****in lever for like 15 mins

I don't have a sump and my sink is pretty far from the tank how would I do that? When you say force the water thru the filter what exactly do I do? Do I force water thru the out take tube while the filter is turned on?

Sorry I'm really new to this


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Another way to get it fully primed is to direct a powerhead into the intake to force water through it, otherwise sucking on the output to pull the water through would still work. I have a 405 and agree that they can be a PITA to get going.
 
Option 1:
You might try putting the filter into the kitchen sink.
Directing the water from the faucet into the INTAKE tube. Kind of put your fist around the faucet and the intake tube to kind of link them together.
With the faucet on turn the filter on.
Once it is primed and you have most of the air out you can unplug the filter, set it up on the tank, and plug it in. Keeping your thumb over one of the tubes will keep the water from spilling out as you move the filter.
If it doesn't start flowing on the tank the priming handle may be of a little use.

Option 2:
Put a 5 gallon bucket on the floor.
Put the return line into the 5 gallon bucket.
Give the return line a good suck.
Plug the filter in.
Run the filter until the bucket is about half full.
Put the return line into the tank.
Poor the ~2gal or water back into your tank.
After a while you will begin to appreciate the finer points of the taste of fish tank water. :D

There are many other techniques to accomplish this same thing.

CichlidDevil said:
Yea I was pumping that ****in lever for like 15 mins
Click to expand...

I thought I was the only one that harbored such fond feelings for my equipment. :D

Once the filter is going it will do a good job for you!
 
Oughtsix said:
Option 1:
You might try putting the filter into the kitchen sink.
Directing the water from the faucet into the INTAKE tube. Kind of put your fist around the faucet and the intake tube to kind of link them together.
With the faucet on turn the filter on.
Once it is primed and you have most of the air out you can unplug the filter, set it up on the tank, and plug it in. Keeping your thumb over one of the tubes will keep the water from spilling out as you move the filter.
If it doesn't start flowing on the tank the priming handle may be of a little use.

Option 2:
Put a 5 gallon bucket on the floor.
Put the return line into the 5 gallon bucket.
Give the return line a good suck.
Plug the filter in.
Run the filter until the bucket is about half full.
Put the return line into the tank.
Poor the ~2gal or water back into your tank.
After a while you will begin to appreciate the finer points of the taste of fish tank water. :D

There are many other techniques to accomplish this same thing.



I thought I was the only one that harbored such fond feelings for my equipment. :D

Once the filter is going it will do a good job for you!
Click to expand...

You think if I were to do it in the tank but use a water hose to force it thru the intake would work?

i hate this filter lol I got it on Craigslist for $20 so I figured I should get it can't beat the price but I originally wanted to get a Rena xp3


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CichlidDevil said:
You think if I were to do it in the tank but use a water hose to force it thru the intake would work?
Click to expand...
Yes, anything to force water through the intake is going to do the job.

I have an XP3 too. I use the same method of creating a siphon into my sump to get it going. The XP3 might be easier to prime but I think my Eheim is the only filter that actually primes somewhat easily... and it is really overpriced.

It gets easier once you work out the technique that works easiest for you.

With the outlet tube at a lower level than the inlet tube you might actually be able to get the water flowing with the priming lever since you have gravity helping you (I.e. 5 gallon bucket on the floor method).

The inlet tube has to be full of water to have any hope of the priming lever working.
 
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