Help Please, filter trouble.

[imagesbybarbara]

Hello, I am new to the forum I have had aquariums for many years now. Over the past 15 years I have had a 150 gallon tank and all I have is trouble with canister filters. Right now I have a Marineland 360 and a Fluval 406, I do not change the media but every six months because of the issues with them. After the first couple of months the primer broke on the Fluval but I always seem to get it started until today. The filter will not prime at all. Does anyone have any advice for me.

As for the Marineland every time I change the media in it the canister leaks at the o ring, that is the reason for the 6 months change out because I hate to do it so much.

Would a Aqua Clear filter 110 be of any use for me instead of using these canister filers?

Thanks for any help, really frantic right now.

 

[Cactuspixie]

Try priming by using a powerheads to fish the water through the intake pipe. I have to do that to prime my eheim. I had to do that just last night with a boyu canister.
I rinse my filter media every month or so (depending on the bioload of the tank it is filtering)
I clean the plumbing every 2-3 months to prevent clogging and restricting the water flow

 

[Cactuspixie]

Make sure the o ring is seated correctly before putting the top back on. Perhaps try lubricating it with some Vaseline 1st.

Also- other than poly fibre, you shouldn't be changing the filter media.

 

[imagesbybarbara]

Thanks for the help. Cactuspixie I do not have any power heads to prime the intake, on a tank that size I probably should.

I also tried Vaseline on the o-ring, apparently the Marienland 360 has this issue every time you clean the media, Marienland also sent me a couple extra o-rings because of the leaking.

I did go to my local pet store and picked up a new filter, I find you can get it cheaper else where I hope I made a good choice it is suppose to filter up to 265 gallons.

API Filstar Canister Filter - XP-XL

 

[imagesbybarbara]

I don't have a powerhead to try, probably should with the tank size. I did go to the local pet store today and bought a different filter out of fear of my fish not getting enough oxygen hopefully I made a good choice, although I found it cheaper online but need it today. Here is the model.

API Filstar Canister Filter - XP-XL

 

[Coryluv]

Make sure the o ring is seated correctly before putting the top back on. Perhaps try lubricating it with some Vaseline 1st.

Also- other than poly fibre, you shouldn't be changing the filter media.

A better lubricant for the o ring is food grade silicone grease. Sometimes it is called o ring lubricant. Be sure it is food safe.

P.S. you can replace the fluval primer. http://www.fluvalparts.com/fluval-106-206-306-406-replacement-primer-assembly-kit-a-20021/