Air bubble in canister filter intake tube

Hey there,

So I set up my aquarium yesterday and installed the filter, which is an Aqua One Nautilus 1100. To start the filter, I had to push the prime button continuously for like 5 minutes. Eventually, water started flowing through it without me pushing the button. After that, I left it for a few hours. I came back and observed the intake and outtake tubes. I noticed that at the top of the intake tube, there was small bubble. I didn't do anything about it. I cam back again after about 3 hours and noticed that my intake tube water level has dropped to about 5 cm below the top of it. I could see the water travelling down the tube to about 5 cm down. I have clear tubing so I can see. I shook the canister filter because I thought air might be trapped inside, and I saw bubbles shoot out of the outtake. I also pushed the primer button a few times, and this seemed to solve the issue, the bubble was gone.

Today, I woke up to see what was going on. I noticed that there was a small bubble at the top of the tube again. Over the course of the day the bubble grew larger and now there is two relatively small bubbles. However, the water level did not drop. Also, the outtake tube has never had bubbles and I believe is working correctly.

I want to know what is causing this, if there are any possible fixes, and if it affects the performance of the filter and the health of the aquarium. Everything else is functioning correctly.

One last thing, there seem to be very small white particles floating at the surface and some in the water of the fish tank. Is this normal, or is the filter meant to handle it. They are only visible from close to the aquarium when the light is turned on, and there are not too many.

Thanks

 

Hi George. I've got this canister on one of my tanks. Not sure where you're seeing the bubbles, the highest part of the intake has black plastic u-bends that you can't see through? I generally don't use the priming button since it doesn't seem to be very effective. I assume your canister is under the tank? To prime, try this method if the inlet hose is already full of water:

• Attach the closed (lever up) valve assembly to the empty unplugged canister.
• Ensure that the aquarium is full, then open the valve (lever down).
• The canister will fill through the intake, expelling the air out of the spray bar. Wait for filling to stop.
• Top up aquarium and plug in canister.

The sponges, especially the fine white sponge that comes with the canister should filter out all small particles. I found that it clogs quickly though and is difficult to rinse clean. Instead of buying replacement ones I bought filter floss that I use instead.

 

Hi. I can see it at the top of the clear section, just before the black u-bend. However, after some research, I have found that it could be normal and that because it is a new filter the air will slowly escape. If in a few days it doesn't clear up I will try your method. Thanks so much for the help.

 

Ok. I would have thought the flow of water would not allow any air to remain in the inlet hose. Make sure the connecting nut on the u-bend barb where it connects to the hose is sealing tight.

 

Yes I will. Also, there is some air bubbles on the glass, is it possible that the filter is sucking these in, because they are going away.

 

Air bubbles on glass will disappear after a couple of days. Quite normal in a new tank and unlikely to be affecting the filter.