try cover the top hole (the one for siphonic effect) then use water pump to push water from bottom hole(the one for out put)after when u see a little or no bubbles at all from pipe in main tank(the one that surpose to draw water) at these point,release the pump and water will start flowing.remember to remove the top cap immediately after u release the pump.i tried mine and the flow is superb!btw if everything works fine ,can update me the noise level?.....cheers