GKat250000

Hey fishies,

I just bought and set up my first aquarium, a Marine Hex 5. (Got a titanium heater too) Spring water's up to 80 degrees. Biospira is ready. BUT no water seems to be entering the pump filtration assembly (where it would be turning the bio-wheel and running through the filter cartridge, etc). The impeller is whirling (by the way, I am a first time fish keeper so I am saying all these words, but I'm not an old pro) and I can feel it vibrating, but when I put my fingers near the intake tube and strainer, I feel no pull and no current whatsoever (I even put a bit of tissue paper down near it and it's drawing nothing towards it).

Does it just take a long time to get going?
Did I just get a bum Pump Filtration unit?
Did I forget to add a part? (On the hex five, it looks like you just attach the magnetic impeller assembly to the pump filtration assembly, and then add the intake tube and strainer. I have no extra parts left to add.) [Unless I have to do something to the impeller?] I already took off the Intake tube to see if a loose connection was causing no suction.

Let me know your thoughts, thanks. GERRY

Wolfgang8810

make sure there isnt anyhting in the intake tube. Also you shouldnt use the bio spira untill your ammonia is at 3 PPM you can but it is most effective when starting it at 3 ppm so the bacteria have something to eat .

GKat250000

Hello all
I just bought and set up my first aquarium, a Marine Hex 5. (Got a titanium heater too) Spring water's up to 80 degrees. Biospira is ready. BUT no water seems to be entering the pump filtration assembly (where it would be turning the bio-wheel and running through the filter cartridge, etc). The impeller is whirling (by the way, I am a first time fish keeper so I am saying all these words, but I'm not an old pro) and I can feel it vibrating, but when I put my fingers near the intake tube and strainer, I feel no pull and no current whatsoever (I even put a bit of tissue paper down near it and it's drawing nothing towards it).

Does it just take a long time to get going?
Did I just get a bum Pump Filtration unit?
Did I forget to add a part? (On the hex five, it seems like one simply attaches the magnetic impeller assembly to the pump filtration assembly, and then adds the intake tube and strainer. I have no extra parts left to add.) [Unless I have to do something to the impeller?] I already took off the Intake tube to see if a loose connection was causing no suction. Even without the intake tube, there is no suction

Thanks for your advice and thoughts.

GKat250000

nothing in the tube. Even when I remove the intake tube, there is no suction directly from the impeller housing/assemby.

Wolfgang8810

make sure the intake tube is firmly pressed down around the impellor. did you prime the filter?

COBettaCouple

Do you have a pic of it? The water is up to the line, right? Do you have a turkey baster that you could use to try to blow air out the filter intake from where the water comes into the assembly?

GKat250000

just fixed it. Awesome you guys!THANKS!

susitna-flower

Ever heard the old western song about priming the pump? Not to imply you are old, but I am, and it is something I'm familiar with. Long story short, you have to prime the pump.

Take the top off the bio-wheel, and pour some tank water through, it can take several times, but it should pick up the suction, and keep going. You don't want to run the motor without the cooling effect of water, so don't just run it without it pumping.

GKat250000

Perfect! It works. THANKS!

Wolfgang8810

no prob have any pictures?