Emergency Filter Help

[zoeb2912]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place...
 
I got a new filter 3 days ago, got it all set up and working and first of all I couldn't get it primed but now its leaking everywhere!!!
 
Its a Hydor Prime 30. 
 
I've had to turn it off hence it being an emergency.
 
it wasn't leaking bad up until today. I just cant figure out what i'm doing wrong.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Pictures are of before I got it primed.
 
It seems to be leaking from the red clips
 
 

 

[Akasha72]

what does it say in the manual? and if you've followed the set up from start to finish from the manual there shouldn't be any leaks. I'd consider returning it to the store and exchanging it for another brand

 

[zoeb2912]

what does it say in the manual? and if you've followed the set up from start to finish from the manual there shouldn't be any leaks. I'd consider returning it to the store and exchanging it for another brand

 
Hi I haven't got the actual manual but have followed the online manual off of Hydors' website. I bought it second hand. Saw it up and running first and like I said it wasn't leaking when I first set it up. Thanks

 

[Akasha72]

ahh I see. It's difficult to know whether you've done something in the wrong order to cause the leak then or if it was faulty when you got it and the seller 'fudged it' for sale purposes.
 
I've never used one of these filters so beyond going back through the online manual and re-checking your steps I can't help. I wish I could cos this must be a nightmare. I hope you manage to fix it 

I've just thought .... is there a rubber seal between lid and canister? If so is it fitted correctly? ... is the rubber seal missing or kinked? These things are usually the thing that causes leaks

 

[zoeb2912]

ahh I see. It's difficult to know whether you've done something in the wrong order to cause the leak then or if it was faulty when you got it and the seller 'fudged it' for sale purposes.
 
I've never used one of these filters so beyond going back through the online manual and re-checking your steps I can't help. I wish I could cos this must be a nightmare. I hope you manage to fix it 

I've just thought .... is there a rubber seal between lid and canister? If so is it fitted correctly? ... is the rubber seal missing or kinked? These things are usually the thing that causes leaks

 
I don't think the seller did because it wasn't leaking when I first set it up??
Yea there is 2 rubber seals and they both seem fitted correctly. i've even added some plumbers tape just incase it was a little loose. 
I think im going to go through step by step again tomorrow, i'm so tired ill end up making mistakes if i do it now. thanks

 

[Akasha72]

no problem ... I'm just sorry I can't be more help to you. Get some rest, tomorrow is another day - hoping your fish are okay with out this filter 

 

[Blubble37]

I've never heard of Hydor and never used them.
 
Look for where it's leaking. There's a lot of pictures of pipes but i can't see any leaks on them, nor on the spraybar. If it's coming from the seal between the pump head and the filter bucket (which is a comon fault area for most of these externals) you've got a fair issue to deal with. To start, if it is leaking from there, see if you can wrap some rubber bands around where the O rings sit, tighten the seal. If it works, great, but bear in mind it is only going to be a temporary fix, not a long term solution. The bands will degrade over time.
 
Three important questions:
What size tank
What flow rate are you ideally after
Can you afford a well-known/respected brand
 
As far as I see, hydor make "budget" items. If this is a second hand budget item, i'm not suprised if it's going wrong. You get what you pay for, but only in some areas.

 

[zoeb2912]

Thanks for the replies.
 
I'm getting really irritated now. I have took the whole thing apart and added ptfe tape or rubber bands to all seals and its still leaking. I must be doing something wrong but I can't work out what.
 
I followed the instructions online although they are very vague only showing pictures.
 
It must be what i'm doing because it didn't leak the first couple of times. And its only leaking where the red clip are.
 
Sooo frustrating.

I've never heard of Hydor and never used them.
 
Look for where it's leaking. There's a lot of pictures of pipes but i can't see any leaks on them, nor on the spraybar. If it's coming from the seal between the pump head and the filter bucket (which is a comon fault area for most of these externals) you've got a fair issue to deal with. To start, if it is leaking from there, see if you can wrap some rubber bands around where the O rings sit, tighten the seal. If it works, great, but bear in mind it is only going to be a temporary fix, not a long term solution. The bands will degrade over time.
 
Three important questions:
What size tank
What flow rate are you ideally after
Can you afford a well-known/respected brand
 
As far as I see, hydor make "budget" items. If this is a second hand budget item, i'm not suprised if it's going wrong. You get what you pay for, but only in some areas.

 
The tank is 57l
Looking for 500lph
I cannot afford another filter after paying out for this one. 
Thanks

 

[Akasha72]

any chance you can get your money back on this one?

 

[zoeb2912]

any chance you can get your money back on this one?

 
Afraid not x

 

[Blubble37]

try raising the filter to be level with the tank once it is primed and running, this reduces the potential energy differential between the pump housing and the water's surface.
 
In other words, less pressure, less leakage.

 

[Akasha72]

only other thing I can suggest is that you get in touch with the person who sold it to you and see if they can help. Other than that I'm all out of ideas

 

[RCA]

Picked up your PM, however I am not familiar with Hydor filters.

To help you out please advise where exactally is it leaking from? If it is the seal then even a very tiny piece of grit could be causing it. I used to use Vaseline on my seals, but now I use the Eheim Spray. This helps ensure a water tight seal.
https/www.eheim.com/en_GB/accessories/installation/maintenance_spray

Out of interest how much did you pay?