What Is Ment By "primeing" An External Filter?

[super-MAGuire]

I have no real experience of external filters, however thinking of setting up a tetratec 1200. Just curious what "priming" the filter?

I have cleaned an external before a aqua one 2450 filter, and siphoned water though the inlet pipe before reattatching it to the tap. If you dont prime it, does it cause any damage ect ect.

So how would i prime each of these filters, what does it do? cheers

 

[fluttermoth]

Priming means getting rid of all the air. If you don't prime it properly there is a risk that the motor will be running dry and could, potentially, burn out.

 

[Chad]

Depending on the filter it can be an easy process or an annoying one. My Fluval had a pump that pumped water in and air out which made the task much easier for me. You filter design will determine how you go about the prime.

 

[super-MAGuire]

so, when you prime it, the pump needs to be on or off. Their is a little push button pump thing on the tetratec. I assume this is what pumps the air out? and the water just siphons back in through gravity?

 

[Chad]

I'm not familar with that particular one so I can't say 100% of course but based on what I know of others that sounds exactly right. Then once the air is all out and the water all in you can turn it all on. That's how my Fluval worked exactly.

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, I think it's the same for most externals. Keep the filter off while you use the priming button.

When you can't see any air coming out of your inlet/outlet pipes (the air may come out of either), switch the filter on and the water should start to flow. If not, turn it off and use the priming button again.

Repeat until it works! Some filters are easy to prime and some are really tricky, even within the same make/model, IME.

 

[super-MAGuire]

Yes, I think it's the same for most externals. Keep the filter off while you use the priming button.

When you can't see any air coming out of your inlet/outlet pipes (the air may come out of either), switch the filter on and the water should start to flow. If not, turn it off and use the priming button again.

Repeat until it works! Some filters are easy to prime and some are really tricky, even within the same make/model, IME.

Thats great, cheers for the info guys. Bad news is the tetratec is leaking out everywhere lol. I got given it a little while ago, so no idea how old it is ect. But it even squirts out of the primer button when its just about filled... i think its broke

 

[Chad]

That is bad news. Sometimes the seals get old. They can be replaced or in the past I've used a bit of petroleum jelly on them, worked like a charm and has no ill effect on the tank.

 

[super-MAGuire]

That is bad news. Sometimes the seals get old. They can be replaced or in the past I've used a bit of petroleum jelly on them, worked like a charm and has no ill effect on the tank.

I'll take apart the head unit and have a explore of what is what. it did have the screw on taps, i seen them on ebay for £10 or so, is it worth getting them, or is jubilee clip and white petroleum jelly an ok, cheap fix? as that is what i done to test it.

 

[basboi85]

The easiest way I prime my external. ( ehiem 2217 + 2213 ) is once I've cleaned ect and put all the pipes back on I dont turn the filter on then suck on the outlet pipe (water return pipe to tank ) so it basically syphons the water through the filter ( you'll know when as the air pressure pushes in your mouth and this is sign to take your mouth off as you'll get a mouth full of tank water ) and it naturally pushes the air out the filter. Then I give it a little shake to make sure all the trapped air is out then turn the filter on and never had a issue this way.

 

[super-MAGuire]

The easiest way I prime my external. ( ehiem 2217 + 2213 ) is once I've cleaned ect and put all the pipes back on I dont turn the filter on then suck on the outlet pipe (water return pipe to tank ) so it basically syphons the water through the filter ( you'll know when as the air pressure pushes in your mouth and this is sign to take your mouth off as you'll get a mouth full of tank water ) and it naturally pushes the air out the filter. Then I give it a little shake to make sure all the trapped air is out then turn the filter on and never had a issue this way.

Cool, so its a trial and error thing for each different filter?

I just took apart the full head unit for the tetratec 1200, and made sure every o ring i found was clean, and vasolined up. It looks as though their has been water coming from the lock off/taps and inside both the o rings on the inlet and outlet where off... and just sitting on the bottom, not in their little sleever. so i think that was the obvious leak, i also stripped the prime button and cleaned the o ring on that, and lubed it, and made sure the little gasket thing on the bottom was fine, going to test it tomorrow. kind of enjoyed it and it is so simple, dont know how it wont work now.. if it somehow does leak, i might just silicone (aqua safe) it all together or ptfe tape the hell out of it.

 

[Chad]

A little engineering project!

 

[super-MAGuire]

A little engineering project!

yeah, i had a mountain bike accident last week, ruputred my quad pretty badly, so on crutches.. its something to do when i "rest" aka, be bored out my mind!

Found the internal to be very simple in the end, i think everything that came apart was took apart Will let yous know if its a success or failed attempt... i could be missing o rings and things with it being 2nd hand. But their was no obvious things missing from what i could tell.

 

[raptorrex]

I have no real experience of external filters, however thinking of setting up a tetratec 1200. Just curious what "priming" the filter?

I have cleaned an external before a aqua one 2450 filter, and siphoned water though the inlet pipe before reattatching it to the tap. If you dont prime it, does it cause any damage ect ect.

So how would i prime each of these filters, what does it do? cheers

if you are careful, you should only have to "prime" the pump once. (well strictly speaking never)

if, after you clean it,. you refill the filter with tank water. and providing the pipes have been turned off, simply reconnecting the pipes and switching on the filter, should do the trick.
however if the water level falls below the outlet pipe, you will need to prime it.
but basboi85 suggests a way that will work for all externals.

 

[basboi85]

I have no real experience of external filters, however thinking of setting up a tetratec 1200. Just curious what "priming" the filter?

I have cleaned an external before a aqua one 2450 filter, and siphoned water though the inlet pipe before reattatching it to the tap. If you dont prime it, does it cause any damage ect ect.

So how would i prime each of these filters, what does it do? cheers

if you are careful, you should only have to "prime" the pump once. (well strictly speaking never)

if, after you clean it,. you refill the filter with tank water. and providing the pipes have been turned off, simply reconnecting the pipes and switching on the filter, should do the trick.
however if the water level falls below the outlet pipe, you will need to prime it.
but basboi85 suggests a way that will work for all externals.

I only found my way out as a experiment that worked well luckily plus when I do a weekly w/c I use a long bit of hose attach it to the return pipe and let the filter do the hard work for me emptying the water whilst I get on with the rest of the cleaning

And remember if you do choose to use method I use

AS SOON AS THE SYPHON STARTS TAKE PIPE AWAY FROM MOUTH

As you WILL get a mouth full of water that doesn't taste very nice.

1st hand experience lol