Help with Iwalki pump

[greg_keyser]

I just bought an Iwalki WMD pump, which requires priming before it will circulate water. Now, you'd think this would be a simple thing, but alas I'm in need of help.
Here's my setup. I'm using this with my protein skimmer, so it looks like this:
==>Water in pump==>water out of pump==>into PS
So, the "water out" line is plumbed into the PS, as you would expect.
The instructions say to prime the pump by pouring water into the outlet chamber, but of course this is plumbed to the PS so I can't really do that. If I try to prime it by pouring water into the inlet chamber, it just trickles through. The instructions also talk about using a "foot valve" on the inlet tubing/chamber, to make priming easier. Can/should I use a foot valve in this situation?
Any pointers on how I should get this working would be great.
Thanks,
Greg

 

[03]

why cant you take the vinyl tube off and pour a cupful of water in the line to prime the pump??

 

[03]

ps iwaki is a very good pump
i hope the tank is not in your living room
they are also very loud

 

[dreeves]

Between the pump and the skimmer...put a "T" connection in with a small ball valve, or even just a screw in cap. Or something in this direction. Then you would be able to open the "T", pour your water in and be done with it.

 

[pmauro]

I have the same pump in my living room and it is virtualy silent the overflow makes more noise

 

[03]

Originally posted by pmauro
I have the same pump in my living room and it is virtualy silent the overflow makes more noise
yeah right!!!

 

[krux]

just fill your skimmer, plugging the outflow from the skimmer. the water will flow back through the line and into the pump, unless your setup has the pump above the level of the skimmer or some such.

 

[pmauro]

03 you are welcome at my house any time, you may have gotten a noisy pump but mine is extremely quiet. in the dead of night allyou hear is the gurggle of the over flow, choose to believe it or not doesn't matter to me. but drop on by some time