Fluval canister filter wont pump

[McCarrick]

Hey all.
I've had a fluval 306 canister filter for about 4 or 5 months now. I bought it used on craigslist with my tank. I have cleaned it out quite a few times and the last time I shut it off it took awhile to get it started. This time I cannot get it started for the life of me. I've got blisters on my hands from fighting with it. I cleaned out the hoses, filled up the canister. Tried filling up the tubes, shaking bubbles out, cleaned impeller and nothing is working. I know that the impeller is spinning but the siphon wont start.
Any ideas on how to get it started?
Thanks for reading

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Try and give it a shake

 

[McCarrick]

Try and give it a shake

Last time that worked but this time I'm having no success.

 

[sfin52]

Hey all.
I've had a fluval 306 canister filter for about 4 or 5 months now. I bought it used on craigslist with my tank. I have cleaned it out quite a few times and the last time I shut it off it took awhile to get it started. This time I cannot get it started for the life of me. I've got blisters on my hands from fighting with it. I cleaned out the hoses, filled up the canister. Tried filling up the tubes, shaking bubbles out, cleaned impeller and nothing is working. I know that the impeller is spinning but the siphon wont start.
Any ideas on how to get it started?
Thanks for reading

Check for a clog in pump all kinds of stuff to cause the clog.

 

[McCarrick]

Check for a clog in pump all kinds of stuff to cause the clog.

I took the entire thing apart. Cleaned out both intake and output tubes, cleaned out the impeller and nothing. I can hear it running but it doesnt push the water out.
I tried pushing water with the primer plunger, shaking it both gently and violently, tried filling up the tubes with water and still nothing.

 

[sfin52]

I took the entire thing apart. Cleaned out both intake and output tubes, cleaned out the impeller and nothing. I can hear it running but it doesnt push the water out.
I tried pushing water with the primer plunger, shaking it both gently and violently, tried filling up the tubes with water and still nothing.

I would check propeller. I bet something is wrong there.

 

[McCarrick]

I would check propeller. I bet something is wrong there.

Checked it. I spins freely, I can hear it. Plus when I was cleaning the whole thing out I plugged it in to see it spin. I also pulled it out and cleaned it

 

[sfin52]

Are you getting water in the canister?

 

[McCarrick]

Are you getting water in the canister?

I tried filling it up first and starting with it empty and priming it. Neither worked. Theres water in it but it wont start the siphoning.

 

[sfin52]

I tried filling it up first and starting with it empty and priming it. Neither worked. Theres water in it but it wont start the siphoning.

Try adding a little water to the canister before closing back up. Don't fill but half and see if that helps
@Erin O thoughts as well

 

[mexi757]

Pull the impeller out and clean around it. It is a magnetic spun. Any gunk or build up will not allow it to spin. The pump will sound like it’s running buts it’s not. I had to do that to my old one several times.

 

[McCarrick]

Pull the impeller out and clean around it. It is a magnetic spun. Any gunk or build up will not allow it to spin. The pump will sound like it’s running buts it’s not. I had to do that to my old one several times.

That was one of the very first things I did.
I finally got it running a minute ago. I may need to replace the impeller. I plugged it back in and watched the impeller. It would spin and stop and I could push it and it would spin again. What I wound up doing was filling it half way with water, flipping the lid over t make sure it was spinning and then flip the lid back over. If it wasnt making a rattling noise I knew it had stopped. If it stopped I could slam it down and it would start. hooked the tubes back up, flipped the water flow lever, heard it gushing, slammed the filter down again and then pumped the primer plunger. It shouldn't have given me that much trouble. I dont see why the impeller was having a hard time running when it was dry. Once it starts running with watering it, there isn't any issues with it stopping.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Probably shouldn't run it without water, I don't think the pump is ment to be run dry

 

[McCarrick]

Probably shouldn't run it without water, I don't think the pump is ment to be run dry

Right, that was my first thought when I got it. But since its magnetic with the impeller on the outside, the pump shouldn't have any issues burning out if its run dry. (This is my assumption, I have not verified this). Especially since it is impossible to completely fill it with water when setting it back up, it will inevitably have a short period of running dry. My guess is that the water flow helps to keep the impeller blades off of the plastic housing. When theres no water then it runs into the housing and stops.