Priming Fluval 406 Canister?

HI guys, I have a Fluval 406 canister, I am new to them. When I first "primed" it, what they call to get the water flowing, I don't think I was doing it right. I struggled a bit to get it going, I don't know what I did wrong.
Can someone help me with this? The intake and output are both submerged right? Then when its OFF, you prime it a few times then turn it on?
Or do you prime it when it is on?

Also, when do you maintenance on the canister, what exactly do you clean or change?

 

I just got my first canister today. I got the fluval fx4 and when I installed it, I read out of the book that I needed to put 1.6 gal of water in the canister before I started it. The canister ran and shut off a few times but now it has been running ever since. Hope this helps.

 

I have the 206. When priming it it needs to be off and completely empty. Pump the level up and down very rapidly until you here water start flowing. And make sure the gray piece that controls flow is completely open. Once the water starts flowing then you can stop pumping. Once there is no more water moving or air coming out of the hose then you turn it on.

 

I have the 206. When priming it it needs to be off and completely empty. Pump the level up and down very rapidly until you here water start flowing. And make sure the gray piece that controls flow is completely open. Once the water starts flowing then you can stop pumping. Once there is no more water moving or air coming out of the hose then you turn it on.

I see! So what about when I do water changes? Water stays in there correct? So is there any priming that needs to be done ?

 

When you do a water change you close the valve and that keeps water in the hose. Then you unplug the filter. When done with the water change just plug the filter back in.
And open the valve back up.

 

When you do a water change you close the valve and that keeps water in the hose. Then you unplug the filter. When done with the water change just plug the filter back in.
And open the valve back up.

Oh!!! I see thanks so much!

 

You can’t prime an empty, closed filter.. I have a 206, 306, and 406 at home and many more at the store. You should fill it up 2/3 of the way full, open the valve, plug in, start pumping.

 

That's not what the instructions say. I followed the instructions which say leave it empty and open it up all the way. Then pump the primer until it starts filling.