Advice for a noisy Filstar

[B Considine]

I've had an XP3 running for about 2 weeks now. When I first primed it, the canister didn't fill completely. In my old Eheim, this bubble would eventually work its way out. Sometimes the canister would need a shake.

The XP3 has not burped out the bubble, which has gotten noisier over the past few days. I've re-primed the unit, with no result. I've disassembled the entire unit, restacked the baskets, made sure hoses are tightly connected, and re=primed the unit, with no result.

Some particulars:
1) The filter is barely at the minimum distance beneath the tank.
2) Even with trimming, the hoses are longer than they probably need to be
3) The filter is not located directly beneath the tank, but to the side at about 45 deg from the intake/spray bar locations.
4) The bottom basket contains ceramic noodles, the middle basket contains the sponges, and the top contains carbon and the fine filter pad.

Any theories?

Blaise

[ingg]

Okay, couple of tips.

First tip: According to the folks that make it, long hoses will cause it to intake air. It forces the quick lock piece to have pressure on it from the hoses bending, and lets air in.

Second tip: If you get a visible bubble, you can unlock one corner, and gently lift until you see the air bubble going away. Let it go up, then reclip it.

[Jeff120]

Im guessing that it isn't completely sealed. Second guess, on the intake where you prime it, is that cap tight and sealed? Perfect place to let air in

[B Considine]

Dave,

I'll trim the hoses as short as possible. But before I do, is the Rena hose a common size? And I'll try the corner-lift trick.

Jeff,
The cap was the first place I looked when looking for an air-leak. It was tight, and all gaskets appeared fine. That's what's confusing me.

[B Considine]

Follow-up:

The corner-lift gambit did the trick. I lifted it until I saw a couple drops of water leak out, and, for now, it's running quiet.

Thanks.

[ingg]

If the air returns, it is the hoses - you aren't supposed to have it at a 45 degree out and extra hosing.

[B Considine]

Dave,
Indeed the air has returned. Since I physically cannot place the filter directly beneath the tank, any suggestions as to a remedy? I'm afraid to cut much more off the hoses.

As a final remedy, I can always re-install the 2213 and save the filstar for a future tank.

[Jeff120]

Its getting air from somewhere, is it sucking up CO2? Maybe try some silicone around the gasket to seal it up better.

[ingg]

Stupid question time.

Why can't it go under the tank?

Stupid question 2:

Why would you not cut the hoses to length, whether off at an angle or not?

[Aaron]

One trick I use is to put vaseline on the hose connections. It serves two purposes, one to make a better seal and two to make it easier to get them off should I ever need to do so.