Fluval 306 Filter Not Pumping Water

Our fluval 306 wasn’t pumping water out that much so we took the tubes off it to clean them out. When we put it all back together it stopped pumping all together. Looks like there’s a air bubble or something in it and we don’t know how to fix it. We’ve pulled everything back off and put it back together, cleaned the filter itself and nothing is working.
Thank you

 

Most likely the line is dry - particularly the intake - or insufficient water in the canister to start the filter. I can't remember if your model comes with a priming button, but pushing on that would help ensure the intake has water in it... if not, try sucking in the output to get flow.


(Its also a lot easier to prime a filter when the tank is fuller then what's shown in the pic)

 

There is a little pull-push stick primer on the top of that model. I have to pump mine like crazy to get it started after I've turned it back on. It helps a lot to have both the in and out ends underwater while doing this. I shove mine under and then once it's working put them back where I want them.

Double check as well that your in-out lines are plugged in correctly to the canister. I never get mine back together the right way the first time, no matter how many times I double check.

 

+1 on priming. When I first got mine I was priming slowly and it just was not doing it. then I figured out that you have to pump the primer pretty fast in order for it to start priming. Also make sure the outlet is under the water line.
Cheers,

Eric

 

Hello, I have a different system from you but it looks like you have a water stop button between input & output next to prime button. Make sure this open completely (spent couple hrs trying to get mine to work!!!!!) if this doesn't help look up wikI troubleshoot your fluval 306.

 

I have to ask: aside from the primer, did you remember to open the aqua stop handle?

Also pull the impeller cover and make sure the impeller spins freely if you can’t hear the motor.

Otherwise it’s just making sure the air bubble gets out of there.