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Last night when attempting to clean Sheldon's tank the filter bit the big one. Rushed out to the pet store, and purchased a new API Filstar Large. It's exactly like the old one. However no matter what I do the filter continues to suck air. Somehow the brand new intake is sucking air. I can hear it which then leads to the filter making that guggling noise. It calms for a little bit but then continues to suck air continually. Unplugging it doesn't help. I taped the intake together tightly, that doesn't work. I can't let it run but tech support isn't available until Monday while I'm at work. Anyone have this problem before? What can I do?

That stupid Filter!!

If you tried all the stuff below, and it won't be quiet when unplugged, then move it somewhere above the tank. They basically run on gravity, so moving it might get it to be quiet until Monday.

The only thing I can think of is to make sure the impeller is in place, and then fill the filter completely to the top via the intake / outflow valve. With the lid secured, give a tiny jiggle and see if a big bubble of air comes up. If so add more water.

Then the fun part - fill the outflow as much as possible (squeezing out air bubbles as you go), and put the black cap back on.
Turn the filter on for a few seconds and then start squeezing bubbles out of the intake and outflow hoses - yeah! a huge pain!
Like I said, you probably already tried it, but mentioning it just in case.

It gave a good 10 months and considering how nice it was to receive from such a wonderful friend, I was sad to see it go; especially since this new one is being a pain in my rear.

I'll check the impeller. I just figured since I can hear the intake hissing from the blue plastic tube inside the tank, that the problem was located there. Although if the impeller isn't seated appropriately perhaps suction via the lid is an issue - sucking too hard on the tubing and creating a mini vacuum.

Moving the filter above the tank isn't possible. No shelving. I'll try that and make a phone call on Monday.

Sheldon is in his big bucket for now as it's mobile and it keeps him from having to deal with me screwing around with the filter.

Thanks for the tips.

Did you use the existing hoses and pipes or did you replace everything with the new filter?

I had to replace everything. The old pipes were cracked and getting close to falling apart. I'm not quite sure why the new ones would be so shotty.

I would disassemble/re-assemble everything. No offense but 9 time out of 10 it's user error when it comes to filter issues. I had a Rena XP4 or XL for almost 2 years and never had any issues and this Rena XP3 for even longer.

Can you take it back to the store? I also own this filter and frankly after having an fx5 in the same tank for about a year I'm not impressed with it. I know its like apples to oranges. Just my 2¢

I had the Rena XP 3 before this one. It was donated and between two different people using it, it worked like a dream. However after many years of use and jostling from the USPS, it finally decided it was going to spew water everywhere and keep water inside the motor housing.

I will see about taking it apart and putting it back together as you suggest Rubicon.

Kansasslider - I believe I can if doing what has been suggested doesn't work and calling tech support doesn't help either. Is the FX5 similar to tje XP3 as far as gallon capabilities?

No the fx moves a lot more water. They actually don't make the fx5 anymore its now called the fx6.

Oh moves a lot more water. Perhaps some research is in order if I can't get this one to work. Thanks!

The fx recirculates 563 gallons an hour. Its a great filter although a bit pricy.

I paid $250 for the Filstar. If I take it back at least I'll get it back.

Fx is $339 free ship on e-bay. Filstar L is $113 free ship on Amazon.

Ah I see. Thanks for that.

No problem.