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XP3 start up bubbles??

1055 Views 9 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  alanzhao
Hi, I got my XP3 today and set it up. I filled the top basket with 1/2" bio-ball and bottom 2 baskets with ceramic rings. The problem is after 7 hours running time I can still see lots of fine bubbles come out of the spray bar. Is this normal?

thanks!
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Could be 1 of 2 things:
1) air in the chamber, but i would think it would be gone after 7 hours,
2) a pinhole, or slightly loose connection somewhere in your intake.

If you took the filter to the sink, overfilled it with aquarium water, then put the top on so that water spills out, reconnect, the bubbles should stop after a minute or so.

Otherwise see #2.

HTH, good luck.
They are prone to air leak around the large o-ring that seals the filter to the canister. Put some Vaseline there and you are good to go for a few months.
I believe there isn't a leak in the intake connection but there are some air still trapped in the chamber after 7+ hours (on top). Overfilling chamber in the sink method is not stated in the manual so what's the proper way to completely eliminate the air? I'll leave it running for the night and see what happens tomorrow.
Try to make sure the baskets are centered and that the power head is seated properly on top of them. My xp3 made a real faint noise after cleaning it one time and I took it back apart and turned the baskets around then put it back together and the noise stopped.

Also the manual says that you can try to unplug it for a couple of minutes then plug it back in to help get rid of trapped air.

If it continues to do it I would take it back apart and check all my hose connections. Is anything plumbed inline with the canister?
I had the same issue with small bubbles being released in mine when I set it up also. I think it went on for over a day actually but it should go away.
Make sure the fill port on the siphon line is screwed down tight. Any leak there will cause bubbles I would think.
Gene
I emptied mine in the sink and re-seated everything and that fixed my problem.
I had the same issue with small bubbles being released in mine when I set it up also. I think it went on for over a day actually but it should go away.
It actually stop releasing massive fine bubbles after few days:smile:
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