Newbie needs help with filter

Stick your hand in front of the output...

What kind of media do you have in that filter?it could be that you put too much or compacted it,do you use any sponge or anything like it but less porous?

Also check for kinked hoses. But, as gmccreedy so elegantly puts it, forget the suction; how's the output look?

distrbd said:

What kind of media do you have in that filter?it could be that you put too much or compacted it,do you use any sponge or anything like it but less porous?

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I used the filter media that came with the filter.

First Tray: EhfiMech substrate with blue mechanical sponge on top
Second Tray: Substrat Pro with carbon pad on top

Then the white fine filter pad on top of every thing. I followed all the directions but the flow is very weak for a rather large filter.

Mori said:

Also check for kinked hoses. But, as gmccreedy so elegantly puts it, forget the suction; how's the output look?

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The water flow out of the spray bar also feels rather weak.

It does sound like something isn't right. Double check all your connections and be sure they're opened all the way.

Is it noisy?

Mori said:

It does sound like something isn't right. Double check all your connections and be sure they're opened all the way.

Is it noisy?

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Connection are good, no kinks and silent as could be. Maybe I was just expecting more than I should have seeing as I don't have much expirence using canister filters.

They do seem sluggish compared to other filter types, but you should get a decent spray from the output. I guess it's hard to tell without seeing it if it's really slow or not. If the holes are horizontal, do you at least get a few inches of horizontal squirt? (technical terms, ya know!)

Mori said:

They do seem sluggish compared to other filter types, but you should get a decent spray from the output. I guess it's hard to tell without seeing it if it's really slow or not. If the holes are horizontal, do you at least get a few inches of horizontal squirt? (technical terms, ya know!)

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It seems a little better. A shook up the filter and maybe that made the filter media even out a bit. The flow seems to be a little stronger.

Dumb question - are all of the holes in your media baskets lined up? And is the "tube" they create lined up properly with the pump head?

Another simple question. How high are you trying to pump water back into your tank? When you get the three or four feet, you may only have 100 gph.

Besides kinks, look out for constrictions in the line and elsewhere. I would take the unit down and check the packing and obstructions of the impeller and the inlet and outlet. You may have something in there.