fluval experts needed

junbug1970

junbug1970

Member
Hey people,
I just bought fluval 303 brand new in the box from ----. installed everything in my refugium. when i turn it on, is makes grinding noise and not sucking anything or blowing anything. ofcourse i did fill the canister full of water first. and seal it with the rubber ring in place.
so i took it apart again for the tenth times, to check make sure the props are intact and no broken pieces and placed it back and slide the cover back on and again, not flow and loud noise. The props does turn, because i ran it dry for 2 seconds to see it the props is turning.
i was thinking maybe i have to suck the air out of it to get the water flow going like i do with my magnum 220. The question is, how the hell do i do that? i attempted to put air tubing and suck the air out, but i can't get far enough for the air tubing to go through all the way the flexible hose.
however i ran it it dry again for a good 3-5 seconds, i feel very little suctions into the intake hose and don't feel anything in the output hose. ofcourse all the valve is open silly :)
please help, this piece of ~~~~ is making me mad. or do i have a bad can and just ask for exchange.
another thing, since the hose is not standing erect up and down to the display tank, instead the hose runs horizontally to the fuge, does this makes a different? the level of the fuge and the can is about the same height.
i set up my magnum the same way and i have no probs
thanks
Junbug
 
oceanic110

oceanic110

Member
Turn on the unit and try to tilt the unit. What you are trying to do is get the trapped air out. Make sure the intake and exhaust tube are under the water, this may help.
 
junbug1970

junbug1970

Member
cool thanks, i will try to suck the air off the out put hose first and get the water to flow and then try to plug it in. but is this normal for these fluval?
 
smokinstarfish

smokinstarfish

Member
Yeah, that's normal for a Fluval. Until it's primed the unit will make a grinding sound. Mine grinds until I suck on the outflow tube to create flow. Did the filter come with a siphon-starter-thing? I turn it on first, then suck the air out.:)
 
marvida

marvida

Member
It's a pull ring type thing on the top of the filter. You pull it up & push it down like a pump. The 204 has it, I am not familiar with the 303.
 
stanton

stanton

Member
The 303 does not have a primer.It sounds as if you still have a air pocket somewhere in the cannister.The best way to prime for the first time is to suck on the return line until you see water in the hose past the isolation valves.Close the return isolation valve and start the pump.Shake the cannister and burp the outlet/ return.Continue this until all the air is out.The pump will make less noise the more you get the air out.After you have primed,use your valves to always keep water in the hoses.If either end is out of the water like water changes while the pump is off you will lose your prime again.Hope this helps ya
 
smokinstarfish

smokinstarfish

Member
The 303 is what I have. Yeah, it's apparently not as "glitch-free" as the 304. :p Here's a pic of that suction-thingy I was talking about...
 
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