Well, I just got a tank from a guy on Craig's list. The filter that came with it was the Marineland 350 Magnum convertible external canister filter. I know that the water can be pumped into the filter, so sucking in the water is no issue, however, the filter isnt pumping anything back into the fish tank. Do you know what the problem is? Also, when i start the filter, it sounds kinda like there is a blockage or something. Thank you for all your help.

I can't say I'm familiar with this type of filter, but some of the canister filters need priming. Have you filled the canister up with water before you turned it on?

And obviously make sure all the pipework is connected to the right sockets

Yeah, all the tubing is correct. I just started with this fish hobby not too long ago, so what exactly is "priming" and how do you do it? I know i sound stupid. But i have also filled up the canister before starting it on. would u say that getting a new fan propeller work? teh guy before me said that he had issues with it too, but eventually got it to work.

That this is a difficult one, if the filter is actually broken we could be here all year trying to help you and it may never worked properly.

Sometimes you get some air trapped in the pipework so when you turn the filter on, it won't immediately start pumping water, you just get a horrible noise from the pump inside the filter. So you got to make sure that there is water in all pipework before you switch the filter on. You've also got to make sure that the filter is completely full of water. I have a couple of canister filters that have a very large plunger on top of the filter, you literally pushed them down and the filter should fill with water as well as all the pipes, so when you switch it on, it's all ready to go and there is no air trapped in the pipework. But I'm not familiar with your filter so I can't really tell you how to do it. Have you got any instructions with it?

I would suggest that you make sure there is water in all your pipework and then try again. Hopefully someone will chime in who has actually got a filter like yours

I dont know about your filter but try this. Empty the filter and the pipes of water. Then suck on the outlet of the filter to get it to start filling. Put your ear onto the cannister and you should be able to hear it filling. When it has stopped filling start the filter. If it dont work straight away turn it off and try tilting the filter a couple times, then restart. Try this 3 or 4 times and hopefully it will start if the cause is air blockages. As OFL said hopefully someone with this filter will chime in

is the pump motor running? if not, then it is broken. if it does, then it should work.
i understand that marineland has an air vent that need to bleed during priming.
if that air remains or trap in the system, the pump would not work properly.

delboybully wrote:


I am with delboy. i have done it this way myself and it works great. the only thing I would add is make sure the filter is well below the tank water level. suck as directed, listen for the canister to start filling, and wait for water to come out the end you sucked on. block it with a finger, place end in tank and turn on. keep the filter below the tank water level. you should have flowing water. ? ?

Aggreed with Marcus and Delboy, their method works for me.
Take care that you don't drown when the filter starts to run at once!
Been there, done that....

marcus wrote:


The filter needs to be below tank level but the output doesnt. Just lift the output out of the water and suck. The syphon will fill the filter, you dont need the outlet below the water line to start the syphon. You will know when the filter is filled as you wont be able to hear it filling

sub_lis wrote:

i have reviewed all post but sub_lis failed to tell us if the pump is running?

if the motor is just humming, perhaps, you have a broken shaft end holder, wherein
the rotor is touching the armature.

if the motor is running, there are still two probability: damage empeller
or air lock in the system which had been covered by those previous postings

Well, i just gave up and bought 2 filters for my tank. they are both rated at 320 gph and are made for a 60 gallon tank. so i ahve 640 gph wiht 120 gallon filtration in my 75 gallon tank.

sounds the best option. if you are having a problem with the old filter you never know when it may just pack up on you.