Marineland Emperor 400-No water pressure

[ShadowBass]

You don't have the intake seated properly. That's the only thing that would cause it to shoot water for a few seconds then slow down. Push down on the intake and impeller housing and make sure they're seated really good.

If that doesn't work take it back because there's something wrong with it.

 

[Behemoth]

Could the bars be lifting the impeller out of its seating?

 

[ShadowBass]

Could the bars be lifting the impeller out of its seating?

Not sure what you mean. The only way the spraybars would effect the seating of the impeller is if you don't have the spraybars seated good either.
If you have the spraybars seated good (sometimes it takes a lot of force to get them seated good on a new filter), and have made sure the impeller housing and intake is seated good there's no way the spraybars should lift the impeller out of the seating. If that's the case they've molded the parts on the filter incorrectly and you should exchange it for a new one.

 

[ShadowBass]

My husband also mentioned the plate that clicks into the impeller housing (not sure what that's called, I could get a pic if you want. It goes on the bottom of the housing over the impeller). If that's not on straight it will cause the flow rate to be low or nonexistant.

 

[Behemoth]

It's going back tomorrow afternoon.

I took it all apart again...made sure the clicky thingy clicked...made sure the impeller was seated...shoved the spray bars in good and tight...and it worked like a champ just long enough for me to sit down. Crapped out again.

Thanks guys for all of your help.

 

[FishGoneWild]

Yep, that Emperor filter is shot. BTW, how much did you pay for it used? The filter is listed on Petsmart.com for $42.99. And free shipping if you spend $50 or more. Take it back and demand for an refund or exchange.

 

[Behemoth]

I paid 49.00 for it with two new bio-wheels. It's going back today and it will give me a chance to buy more fish

 

[Behemoth]

Just spoke to the LFS and she will have one waiting on me when I get there...I just didn't want to leave the island today.

 

[scadarette]

throw it out in the yard....

 

[Behemoth]

Took the filter back. The lady at the LFS said, "Wow...it looks like a new...straight out of the box."
It was because I spent all scrubbing on it...trying to get it to work!!!!

They gave me a different used filter and it is working fantastic. Thanks for all of the help guys. I definitely know how to tear one of these things apart and put it back together...I don't care what wife says!!