How To Prime Fluval 306 Filter?

Hi, I'm trying to prime my Fluval 306 and I just can't. I've been trying for 3 hours and the blisters on my fingers from pumping the little plunger have broken open.
I tried pouring water into the intake as well, I just made a giant mess.
Fish keeping us the only thing I do for myself and I absolutely love it, but this happens every time I clean my filter. This time I just can't do it.
I have a HOB back up running right now.
Can anyone tell me what to do?
I'm working in a very tight area.
I'm afraid I'm going to have to give up my hobby, and I really feel like I'm failing right now.

 

Did you put the flow control lever all the way down after you cleaned the filter?

 

Did you put the flow control lever all the way down after you cleaned the filter?

Yes

 

I'm not familiar with the 306, but it does sound as if it is having a priming problem. Make sure the output is completely submerged when priming the filter, if not the system will still be open. Something I had to do on one of my filters after the primer button got stuck was use the hose from a python style system and fill the filter until water was flowing thru the output.

 

I have this filter it used to be a pain but now I'm a pro with it lol, I clean it once every 3 months. I do this in the front yard and when I put it back together I fill the canister up till its over flowed then shake it a little for any air in the media then make sure its brimming before I put the head back on. Next I place the pipes back on inlet submerged, outlet above the surface. Then plug it in and pumped the primer like crazy full up and down strokes for a 1 min. Then it usually starts to trickle and I pick the can up and roll it side to side place it back down and pump like mad for a further minuet and it usually goes. Failing that I take a big inhale on the output that 110% works but its scruffy lol.

 

I have the C4 Fluval and have never had a problem with it priming itself; you still do, however, need to fill the canister as #max h has said until water is actually spilling over the outflow. And yes, it's easy to 'think' the tube is seated all the way, when actually is may be resting on the lip above the impeller housing. #HeatherL makes a good point by making sure the control lever is all the way to the maximum outflow position. This does help the priming process. I'm not familiar with the 306, so good luck! If it's under a year old, Fluval may replace it for you. Worth giving them a call if you continue to have this issue when restarting it.

 

I have this filter it used to be a pain but now I'm a pro with it lol, I clean it once every 3 months. I do this in the front yard and when I put it back together I fill the canister up till its over flowed then shake it a little for any air in the media then make sure its brimming before I put the head back on. Next I place the pipes back on inlet submerged, outlet above the surface. Then plug it in and pumped the primer like crazy full up and down strokes for a 1 min. Then it usually starts to trickle and I pick the can up and roll it side to side place it back down and pump like mad for a further minuet and it usually goes. Failing that I take a big inhale on the output that 110% works but its scruffy lol.

Lol... thank you! I'm going to try that

I have the C4 Fluval and have never had a problem with it priming itself; you still do, however, need to fill the canister as #max h has said until water is actually spilling over the outflow. And yes, it's easy to 'think' the tube is seated all the way, when actually is may be resting on the lip above the impeller housing. #HeatherL makes a good point by making sure the control lever is all the way to the maximum outflow position. This does help the priming process. I'm not familiar with the 306, so good luck! If it's under a year old, Fluval may replace it for you. Worth giving them a call if you continue to have this issue when restarting it.

Thanks! My output is not submerged, I'll try that!

 

I have a 306. Here's what I do when I clean it. I remove the canister and put it in the sink. I then take off the top. I then take out whatever sponges I need to clean, while keeping the canister full of water. I then put the various sponges back in, take some tank water to fill the canister to the brim, then put the top back on. I then hook the canister back up, prime it two or three times and start it back up. Works great.

But this weekend, I needed to replace my Aqua Stop (i.e.the valve). After accidentally spilling some of my ceramic media and a bunch of crushed coral into the canister, I ended up having to empty the canister. Rather that transport a bunch of tank water from the tank over to where the canister was in the sink, I just figured I'd hook it back up and prime it to get the canister to fill.

It became evident to me (before I got blisters...hey, just showing off there) that it wasn't gonna fill the canister. So I just sucked on the out take until it drew the water up the intake and started to siphon. Luckily, I have pretty good lung capacity! I was also very happy that I had chosen to clean out the hoses while I had everything apart, other wise I think I would have gotten a mouth full of whatever that stuff is that builds up inside the hoses over time (I chose to believe it is algae).

 

I have a 306. Here's what I do when I clean it. I remove the canister and put it in the sink. I then take off the top. I then take out whatever sponges I need to clean, while keeping the canister full of water. I then put the various sponges back in, take some tank water to fill the canister to the brim, then put the top back on. I then hook the canister back up, prime it two or three times and start it back up. Works great.

But this weekend, I needed to replace my Aqua Stop (i.e.the valve). After accidentally spilling some of my ceramic media and a bunch of crushed coral into the canister, I ended up having to empty the canister. Rather that transport a bunch of tank water from the tank over to where the canister was in the sink, I just figured I'd hook it back up and prime it to get the canister to fill.

It became evident to me (before I got blisters...hey, just showing off there) that it wasn't gonna fill the canister. So I just sucked on the out take until it drew the water up the intake and started to siphon. Luckily, I have pretty good lung capacity! I was also very happy that I had chosen to clean out the hoses while I had everything apart, other wise I think I would have gotten a mouth full of whatever that stuff is that builds up inside the hoses over time (I chose to believe it is algae).

Love it! I'm going to try this next time.

Thank you all for the wonderful tips, I will defiantly be trying them!

Turns out I'm a fool! I was waayyy over tired and hungry when I started this and I mixed up the hoses when I reassembled the unit.

I'm both relieved and embarrassed.

 

Don't be embarrassed, mixing up the hoses is way too easy to do. I really paid extra attention when reattaching mine on Sunday.

 

Don't be embarrassed, mixing up the hoses is way too easy to do. I really paid extra attention when reattaching mine on Sunday.

Thank you. You are kind

 

We are all human, and not perfect.

 

Speak for yourself. I'm perfect...it's my only flaw.

 

Lol I ran it dry last night doing a big water change and as I have a full 25g fry tank in front of the 306 I had to use the in-hale method. Works every time though.
can you see it in the back lol what a pain.