Habitat - Indoor :: xP3 beside Rubbermaid, priming woes

[Robinos]

I knew I was asking for trouble when I bought this thing, knowing full well it should be below the waterline. I've read other threads where people have pulled it off. Can someone please tell me how they got theirs running. This is my first cannister filter and I'm lost .
Thanks,
-Rob

[Robinos]

In older posts people refer to "adjustments" or modifications. Any ideas?
-Rob

[steve]

If you are having difficulty priming (based on the manufacturer's directions), then you should fill the canister yourself and fill the intake tube as well.

Also make sure that those tubes are not longer than they have to be.

[marisa]

You have the XP3 on the floor next to the Rubbermaid? One thing you need to do is shorten the tubing to lessen the amount of air going to the filter.

[Robinos]

I've shortened the hoses and filled the filter manually, no luck. In your set-ups, is the filter even slightly below the water line? My intake is a few inches above.
Thanks for the help.

-Robin

[steve]

If your intake (the blue plastic tube) is a few inches above the water line, then it's not in the water at all?

[marisa]

My XP3 is about even with the water line. By intake you mean the piece that has the strainer on it? This should be below the water line, otherwise the filter is just trying to suck up air...

[Robinos]

Sorry about that, let me clarify, the intake pipe w/ strainer is in the tank below the water line, ~4" off the tub floor. I meant the intake valve on the top of the filter itself. The filter is on the floor beside the tub. The water line in the tub is a few inches lower than the top of the canister. I appreciate your help and your patience.
-Robin

[missibsu]

What would happen if you supported the tub on a few bricks. It would raise the tub a few inches at least. I don't know if that would be enough.

[marisa]

Do you have a Rubbermaid stock tank or a Rubbermaid storage container? If it's the latter, I wouldn't raise it on a few bricks---storage containers are not meant to hold water and wouldn't support the weight of the water if supported at just a few points. Even with the storage container on a flat surface, the chances of it developing cracks on the bottom are very good (I've had experience with this). When I was using a Rubbermaid storage container, I had it on a table and had the filter under the table at the recommended distance.

How long is the tubing now?

[steve]

Robinos, since you can't use the self-prime feature, you need to fully prime the filter yourself. Any air pockets will prevent your filter from running properly. Make sure the canister is completely filled with water. Then, if someone can offer an extra hand, lift the inlet pipe (blue) as high as it can safely go. Remove the strainer and have your helper use their palm to cover the bottom (to prevent water from leaking out). Remove the inlet pipe cap (black) and use the funnel (supplied with filter) to add water into it. Continue to do so but be careful of any water overflowing or pushed out from escaping air. Once the intake pipe AND tube is filled, put the cap on, submerge the pipe again and put the stainer back on. Make sure the "Quick-Disconnect" is NOT in the "close" (up) position and plug in the filter. Good luck!

[Spookster]

Do you have a Rubbermaid stock tank or a Rubbermaid storage container? If it's the latter, I wouldn't raise it on a few bricks---storage containers are not meant to hold water and wouldn't support the weight of the water if supported at just a few points. Even with the storage container on a flat surface, the chances of it developing cracks on the bottom are very good (I've had experience with this). When I was using a Rubbermaid storage container, I had it on a table and had the filter under the table at the recommended distance.

How long is the tubing now?

Couldn't you put a piece of plywood on top of the bricks and set the container on that? That way it would get just as much support as if it were on the floor.

[Robinos]

Well, thanks to everyone for the help. It's finally running and all it cost me was a mouthful of turtle water . In a last ditch atempt to start her up, I sucked on the output hose and she roared to life. Everything is running smoothly, with a lot less noise then I expected after hearing of other folk's experiences. I woke up this morning and the water was remarkably clean. Thanks again to everyone who took the time to assist me.

May your filters never run dry.
-Rob

[Spookster]

I sucked on the output hose

Can we say Salmonella?

[Robinos]

Right. Remember, kids, don't try this at home!
Aside from the obvious health hazard, the stuff tastes pretty foul.
-Rob