Equipment Review and Discussion :: XP3 Setup Help

[ACF&RESLOVER]

I just got my XP3 and I'll be ready to set up my new tank later to day.

It included 4 dark pads (I think it's 2 foam 20 and 2 foam 30 pads), a white foam pad (no idea), and I bought ceramic rings, and bio chem zorb.

In what order should they be in the fliter from bottom to top?

Do I use all 4 foam 20 and foam 30 pads or just one of each?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I start.

[SpotsMama]

You'll use all the filter media.

There should be a booklet with instructions on the setup which also includes in what order to put the filter media. If you don't see it in your instruction booklet, come back and let us know and we'll give you some help.

[ACF&RESLOVER]

I found the instructions.

I do have one question.

How much of the ceramic rings do I use?

I bought 2 packages. Do I fill all 3 levels to the top - basically using both my packages or is one package split between all levels OK.

[ACF&RESLOVER]

One thing I am already seeing is that the outflow is not going to be in the water. I'm planning on filling the tank somewhere between 1/2 and 3/4 of the way to the top. It would appear that regardless of whether I use the spray bar or the power nozzle, it's going to be tough to get a good water circulation/flow going and it's probably going to be very noisy if I allow it to splash into the water.

Am I understanding this correctly and do I have any alternatives???

[marisa]

You're using a carbon pack? I think on the box it says that one package is good for 55 gallons, but I'd add more if you can (but don't put so much in that the baskets don't sit on top of each other correctly)---more biomedia gives more surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow.

Are you sure you can't get the outflow just under the water level with the tank filled up 3/4 of the way?

[ACF&RESLOVER]

I might be able to get the ouflow below the water if I fill it between 3/4 and 7/8, but I only want to the tank 1/2 to 3/4 for now because I don't have a secure top (don't want the turtles to climb out) and I want to keep a safe distance between the heat lamp and their basking platform until I have everything I need. This is an entirely new set up and I don't have everything I want yet.

I have the tank 1/2 filled right now and I am trying to prime the filter but it does not work.

How much priming water do I have to put into the funnel before I turn on the filter? Do I have to fill the filter all the way and tubing?

The instructions make it sound like very little water need to be added (just one tube worth).

Perhaps it can't prime with only 1/2 the tank filled?

Help please???????

[ACF&RESLOVER]

I still can't get it to prime.

Someone please help me step by step. Assume I am a complete idiot (because I am).

1. The filter is filled with water.

2. I lifted the quick disconnect

3. I took off the inlet cap

4. I filled the tubing leading to the "IN" valve full of water

5. I replaced the Inlet Cap

6. I lowered the Quick Disconnect

7. I waited 2 minutes

8. I plugged it in

Then I did all the same things, except I plugged it in first.

No help.

It gets started and then it can't keep up the momentum.

I'm going crazy.

[DavidY]

Sounds like you have air trapped in the filter. Keep going through the priming process until the water flow keeps going on its own but don't let the motor run for more than a few seconds if no water is getting through or you could burn it out. I have my spray bar about an inch above water and the noise wasn't too bad. It also helps to oxygenate the water so if you can tolerate the noise it is more beneficial for the bacteria in the filter too.

[DavidY]

Okay, you may need to take the whole thing apart and make sure there are no leaks anywhere. It sounds like you are getting air into the system somehow. When you put the filter cover on you want to make sure the rubber gasket is properly seated in the groove on the cover. Also make sure that the tubes are firmly seated on the fittings and that there are no holes or cracks. Finally make sure the 4 latches are tightly closed. Is your filter on the floor below the tank or at least 24" below the tanks water level?

[ACF&RESLOVER]

David

The filter is a couple of feet below the tank level. Everything seemed to fit togther nicely. The tubing is on tightly, though the sealers were very difficult to close more than the first notch if you know what I mean. The cover is tightly closed and did so properly.

Should the motor be running before I lower the quick disconnect or plug it in after that? The instructions are not clear.

Also, could the water level matter? I am about 2/3 full and it didn't help.

[DavidY]

I closed the lever and then turned on the filter. It may be having a hard time pulling the water up and over the top of the tank. Oh I know what else could be causing it. When you first prime it, there is a big gap of air in the intake tube between the water level and the top of the tank. So when you turn it on, it sucks the priming water down the tube into the filter which is then followed by a large amount of air. The air then stops the flow of water as soon as it hits the motor inside the filter. Hmmm, if there were some way for you to fill that inside section of the intake tube with water before you start it up, I bet that would take care of it.

[ACF&RESLOVER]

I think what you are describing may have been contributing to the problem.

What I did was shorten the intake tubing inside the tank. Originally, I had it fully extended to close to the bottom of the tank. I took one extension off. In fact, I found a small crack in one of them. I'm not sure that was the problem though. When I removed that cracked one and shortened the intake tube it primed. I'm not sure what the correction was, shortening it or getting rid of the crack. There may have been two issues. Who knows.

Now I am just wondering how effective the filter will be at sucking up any poop etc... on the bottom with the intake tubing about 4-5 inches from the bottom.

I may also try to figure out how to extend the outake into the water because leaving it fully open is very noisey.

For now at least I'm operational. Thank God and thanks for the help. I am the least handy person on planet earth and get very frustrated and upset quickly. You helped save my day.

[DavidY]

It sounds like it was the cracked tube that was letting air in and breaking the siphon action. If you can seal it with superglue or aquarium silicone you can try and use it again to extend the intake to the bottom of the tank. You should also be able to find or order an extension for the intake tube to get it closer to the water level or you can turn the spray bar so it is pointing down and back at the tank wall. That way the water will hit the glass before it hits the water and that should reduce the noise too (and still increase oxygenation). Glad I was able to help but it sound like you eventually found it on your own.

[marisa]

I think in the instructions it says that the bottom of the intake should be 4 inches from the bottom of the tank. You can have it longer, but for filtering the water, I don't think it's that much better to have it lower. The filter has worked both 4 inches above the bottom and lower without a problem for me.

The cracking of some of the pieces happened to me over time. Unless that one crack is really large, it shouldn't have affected the ability of the motor to pull up the water. I used to get sporadic sputtering sounds and whooshing sounds from the output as air got into the filter, but that was it.

Glad to hear you got it working.

[steve]

I think this was the problem:

1. The filter is filled with water.

Keep the filter empty when you start filling the tube. After it's done, push the quick disconnect lever down and it'll take a couple of minutes to prime. Then plug the filter into the electrical outlet.

Glad you have it going too!