Problem Getting Filter Going

[Hathaway]

More than likely some stupid oversight of mine but I can't seem to get my new filter running properly. It's the eheim pro 3 2075. Everything is connected and ready to go but I've had enormous difficulty priming it using the suction aid button. Water will trickle down but never automatically as it states it would. Doesn't matter if I pump it quickly or slowly, the water just bobs up and down in the tube and occasionally some trickles over... if I pump more vigorously the effect is actually worse, the water doesn't come over at all.
After letting a fair amount of water trickle in (and sucking on the tune myself hoping to kickstart it) I decided to turn the pump on, but it doesn't seem to always get the water down the pipe and as yet nothing has come out the other side. I have an inline heater on the out pipe but water has just about got beyond it, so I know it's not clogged.
Should I just keep the filter running, will that cause any damage? I'm pushing the suction aid button while it's on but I'm not sure if it's having any effect or if I should be doing that... nothing comes out the other side back into the aquarium anyway.
The instructions give no further clues so hopefully someone here can set me straight.
Thanks from a grateful newbie!

 

[ricbea]

Hi Hathaway,
 
Kind of ironic timing as I just posted last week about eheim filters I bought 2 the classic 600 and the professional 3. I had absolutely the reverse situation that you are having now, by that i mean my classic wouldn't prime and the pro 3 was instant start. 
First off i would definitely not leave the pump running to see if it can start the flow, IT WONT!
I would suggest unplug it,  turn to off and then disconnect the inlet and out pipe together via the red button on the front of the unit, open up over a bucket or sink in case there is more water than you thought. Then check all the cartridges are inserted properly make sure there is no loose plastic blocking anything, reassemble, make sure you hear a good click when you reconnect the hose housing, flip the grey lever from off to on and then depress the primer button, really it took me max 6 pushes and the water was flowing freely.
 
Just one other thing to check and it may sound silly to ask but do you definitely have the inlet and outlet hoses connected the correct way? if not the suction would be trying to pull through the spray bar. Just a thought please don't be insulted.
 
I hope this helps.
Richard. 

 

[ricbea]

I just read back over my manual and it gives a small troubleshooting section on Primer does not work. 
 
Cause                                                                           Solution
Prefilter flap in prefilter not closed                               Check flap for pollution see chapter 6.2 step 13
Prefilter is filled with water                                           Empty prefilter, repeat priming, priming ONLY works with empty prefilter
Check valve polluted/defective                                    Clean and, if required, replace the check valve see chapter 6.3
 
My money is on option 2, empty the prefilter and go again.
 
Richard.

 

[Hathaway]

Left it alone for a while and it started making a lot of gurgling noises on its own while still off. So emptied the prefilter as you suggested, put it back together, and after a noisy start (presumably air going through the system), it's all working!
Thanks for your help Richard, much appreciated.

 

[ricbea]

Hi Hathaway,
 
No problem, glad i could offer a little of something. Just as a point of interest what are planning on putting in your tank? I am nosey about other peoples tanks.
 
Richard.

 

[Hathaway]

Still doing a little thinking but I'm looking at Cardinal tetra, a single red tailed black shark, a couple of electric blue ram, tiger barbs, red line torpedo barbs and possibly clown loaches. I have a Juwel 300 (350 litre). Installed a 3D background, inline hydor heater and I'm currently aquascaping and looking about for live plants before I start my fishless cycle. I'll probably post up some pics when I'm a little further along

 

[AntonyB93]

I couldnt prime mine so i manually filled through the inlet hose until water started to trickle from the outlet then quickly submerged inlet and switched on, this works good luck.