There are few jobs I hate more in the hobby. Cleaning out the skimmer is nice by comparison---but I hate algae worse-er, so I love this piece of equipment despite the fact I just shocked my finger and will have to dry out my basement floor before continuing the maintenance jobs....thank goodness for gfo's.
One: that pump will siphon when disconnected (my basement floor) ---so take it out of the water before disconnecting it. Doh!
Two: pay attention to instructions: wash the medium before using or you will have a red tank.
Three: put that little hooked cap ON that central clear plastic tube before filling, to keep the medium out of it while you're adding the medium.
Four: Be sure to get those little red plastic screens in the proper sequence with the sponges.
Five; put the upper red plastic screen in under the obstruction of the hose connection, then stick a pen or pencil into the red screen and use the pen to lever the red screen onto the tube, which will almost always sit resistantly askew until that screen is in place. Add the sponge, then the put the hooked cap back on. Now it will be at the right height to connect to the hose input.
Six: Be SURE that great big lid is screwed on right. If you get it canted and it's stuck, get your strap wrench and use it patiently. That will get you another try at it. But don't use the wrench to tighten, just to loosen if stuck---don't break the lid, in other words.
Seven: NOW be sure that pump is firmly connected before you put it back in the water and turn it on.
One: that pump will siphon when disconnected (my basement floor) ---so take it out of the water before disconnecting it. Doh!
Two: pay attention to instructions: wash the medium before using or you will have a red tank.
Three: put that little hooked cap ON that central clear plastic tube before filling, to keep the medium out of it while you're adding the medium.
Four: Be sure to get those little red plastic screens in the proper sequence with the sponges.
Five; put the upper red plastic screen in under the obstruction of the hose connection, then stick a pen or pencil into the red screen and use the pen to lever the red screen onto the tube, which will almost always sit resistantly askew until that screen is in place. Add the sponge, then the put the hooked cap back on. Now it will be at the right height to connect to the hose input.
Six: Be SURE that great big lid is screwed on right. If you get it canted and it's stuck, get your strap wrench and use it patiently. That will get you another try at it. But don't use the wrench to tighten, just to loosen if stuck---don't break the lid, in other words.
Seven: NOW be sure that pump is firmly connected before you put it back in the water and turn it on.
