newbie-filstarXP not pumping

Had a similar problem w/ a fluval canister recently... I just took a
power head and pointed it into the water intke for the fluval for a
few seconds.... This drove all the air out of the system and it works
perfectly now...

On Thu, 31 Jul 2003 00:58:57 +0100, "Iain Miller"
wrote:


"Shirin Samiljan" wrote in message
rthlink.net...
Hello

I've set up my 35 gallon freshwater planted tank. My FilstarXP 1 isn't
pumping more than an annemic trickle. This is what I've tried so far.

Disconnected quick connect and let the filter sit idle for two minutes to
let extra air escape. topped off tube with water, reconnected quick
connect,
plugged in filter. Trickles little bits of water from outflow.

filled canister with lots of water--put it on a towel and squished the top
back on, connected quick connect, etc. Trickles.

Checked that the impeller is installed--it is.

Nothing seems to be leaking--no drips down the back. The pump runs
quietly--doesn't seem to have air in the system--I can't figure out how to
prime the pump to get it going though. Thanks for any help.

Assuming the filter is new & this is not just a case of a dirty
impellor/magnet it sounds like a simple air blockage......

Try disconnecting the hoses from the cannister & then making sure that the
top end of the return tube is out of the water, stick a bucket underneath
the quickconnect thing and open the tap. Hopefully, you will get water out
both hoses initially but then the outflow side will stop/empty itself. At
which point you will just be getting water down the flow side. Turn the tap
off & you now have the inflow hose full of water and the outflow hose empty.
Reconnect the hoses to the filter and open the tap - this should empty the
filter of air and you can then start it.

Altrentaively (and if you have enough slack in the hoses) tip the thing over
to 45 degrees & see if it starts pumping. if it does, when you let it stand
up again it will probably stop again - you'll need to rock it back &
forwards agood few times till the air clears itself - don't be too violent
with it!

Hope all that makes sense.

I.