Equipment Review and Discussion :: Is the XP3 hard to set up?

[SpotsMama]

If the baskets are loose, then they aren't quite seated properly, and you can't clamp down the top unless the baskets are firmly seated. If the top is loose at all, air will get into the system and it will go dry.

If there's any water in the canister when you try to restart, the primer won't prime properly. Make sure to empty the canister before you try to restart.

I've had two occasions where I needed to restart. In both cases I restarted the primer by putting water in the intake tube through the little funnel. After you've filled the intake tube with water - don't forget to remove the funnel and screw the top back onto the tube!

[Kallistos]

I re-assembled the internal compartments and it still didn't work.

My dad, being the annoying person that he is said that I can only fill the tank half-way to start off with to check for leaks. Do you think this may be the reason it's not able to filter? Only the inlet strainer and about 3 inches above it is submersed in water...I'm pretty sure this is the problem...


If this is truly the problem, how much of the inlet pip must submersed for it to be able to filter? All of it except maybe 6 inches or .....

[SpotsMama]

I don't know about a half filled tank but that could very well be a problem. The surface of the water MUST be a certain distance from the top of the canister. No less than 24". If the water level is very low, then you're probably not meeting this distance test.

In fact, this is one of the "trouble shooting" points in the user manual.

[Kallistos]

Who reads the manual?!?! Okay, well it seems that it's borderline so I guess that is the problem! Tommorow I'll fill it up higher or maybe even elevate the filter. Thanks for all the help.

[SpotsMama]

I don't think you want to elevate the filter - you probably need it low or lower. You need to raise the level of the water.

[Kallistos]

Yeah, If I elevate it then the tubes that I marked and cut will be thrown off. I'll just have to wait until tommorow to fill it up 3/4 of the way up...

EDIT: lol I realize why elevating it makes no sense at all...that'd make it even closer to the water line!

[Muirner]

Any way for a picture by chance? When you prime it you want the lever on the canister to be up, so that the water says in the tube. After filling the tube all the way up, you put the cap on the top, and then push the lever down, you should hear and see the water filling the canister. It works just like a syphon.

[Kallistos]

Thanks for the help everyone! The filter has been working steadily for over an hour now! Now I just have to wait for that 45 degree water to heat up to 75 degrees! Let's just say our hose water is cold and Wisconsin weather doesn't help it out at all...

[Muirner]

LOL, of course it is cold... I used to live in IA, i know the midwest coldness.

If you have room in the tank, you could add like a gallon of hot water, this would bring up the temp, and less strain on the heater. Then again, leaving the heater on for that long may cover the "break in period"...

[Kallistos]

Alright it's finally up to temperature so I put the turtles in. It took them awhile to get accustomed to such high depths and 110 gallons,but after about 10 minutes they started to frantically beat their appendeges and got to the surface. It's more fine tuned now and they've realized the filter isn't a threat and they're swimming around. I'll post pictures when I get all the decorations set up...

[SpotsMama]

They are going to love it!

[missibsu]

I'm excited for you. I remember not so long ago when I got everything done. I felt like I had accomplished a ton. Now it's just routine.