priming new Hobie bait tank.
 

I have a new hobie bait tank. Should it just start pumping at the pull of the switch or does it require priming? I could only get it to start filling up once I poured water in it and pinched the hose. Is that normal start up?

I just turn it on, peddle fast for a few seconds and it starts pumping water.

I have a tube that I use to clear clogs and prime. No pedaling required.

the (forward) pointing pick up tube will push water up to the impeller sitting above the water line when you pedal. Once primed it should maintain it's prime for as long as 8 hours on a fully charged battery.

Ok I will give that a shot. Thanks.

i just pedal fast and turn left and right hard a few times

Use the tube to suck the water up, like siphoning gas, it will save you from getting frustrated.

I flop up and down and it seems to work plus confuse the crap out of everyone to stay away.. Seems to push water up the tube and get it going.. If not just peddle fast in circles..

A trick I found is facing the intake tube off center and it seems to create a vacuum like effect when priming.. Who knows but it worked for me..

Here's what I do
http://weburbanist.com/wp-content/up...erton-dyer.jpg
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:D...JK..do what the other guys said

FYI when you purchase a new livewell there is an extra length of tubing in the tank 1 inch longer than the one on the pick up, swap it out if you have a PA, you need that extra inch of draw.

Can't wait for the new intake tubes

Just use the Bilge Pump
 

I have a hard time starting the live well also so I started using the hand bilge pump with a hose attach and fill the water half way/cover the live well pump then run the tank. It runs all day without any problem after filling the live well. I did the extra length extension for the PA and it did not help for me.

One issue I found with mine was that the opening to the tube was facing back, thus there was no "vaccum" created. I spun the tube around so that the opening was facing forward, problem solved.