---
title: How Do I Prime My Water Pitcher Filter Cartridge?
description: Learn how to prime your Crystal Quest pitcher filter cartridge. Simple steps to remove air, activate carbon, and ensure optimal filtration.
---
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3. [Priming Filters & Cartridges](https://info.crystalquest.com/setup-first-use?hsLang=en-us#priming-filters-cartridges)
# How Do I Prime My Water Pitcher Filter Cartridge?
## Priming your pitcher cartridge removes trapped air and activates the filtration media for optimal performance.
### Watch Our Video:
---
### Why Priming Is Necessary
New filter cartridges contain air pockets trapped within the filtration media. Priming saturates the carbon and other filter materials, displacing this air and allowing water to flow freely through the cartridge. Without proper priming, you may experience slow filtration, floating cartridges, or reduced contaminant removal.
Priming also rinses away any loose carbon fines (small carbon particles) that naturally occur in new cartridges, preventing them from ending up in your filtered water.
---
### Step-by-Step Priming Instructions
#### What You Will Need
- Your new pitcher filter cartridge
- A clean cup, bowl, or container
- Cool tap water
#### Priming Process
**Step 1:** Remove the cartridge from its packaging.
**Step 2:** Fill a clean bowl, cup or container with cool tap water. The water should be deep enough to fully submerge the cartridge.
**Step 3:** Submerge the cartridge in the water at an angle. You will see air bubbles escaping from the filter media.
**Step 4:** Gently shake or tap the cartridge while submerged to release trapped air pockets. Continue until the bubbling stops, typically 30 to 60 seconds.
**Step 5:** Leave the cartridge submerged, in an upright position for an additional 20 minutes to ensure complete saturation.
**Step 6:** Remove the cartridge and rinse under cold water for 10-15 seconds, or until water runs clear
**Step 7:** Install the cartridge in your pitcher reservoir and press firmly to ensure a tight seal.
**Step 8:** Fill the pitcher reservoir with water and discard the first two full pitchers. This completes the priming process and flushes any remaining carbon fines.
Watch a video demonstration [here.](https://www.youtube.com/@crystalquestwaterfilters/videos)
---
### Signs Your Cartridge Is Properly Primed
- **No more air bubbles:** When submerged, the cartridge releases no additional bubbles
- **Heavier weight:** A primed cartridge feels noticeably heavier than a dry one
- **Cartridge stays submerged:** Properly saturated cartridges sink rather than float
- **Steady water flow:** Water filters through at a consistent rate without sputtering
- **Clear filtered water:** After discarding the first two pitchers, water runs clear without black specks
---
### Troubleshooting Tips
**Cartridge still floats:** Continue soaking and gently squeezing the cartridge to release stubborn air pockets.
**Slow filtration:** Ensure the cartridge is fully saturated. Re-submerge and agitate if flow remains unusually slow after initial priming.
**Black particles in water:** This is normal with new cartridges, and is not harmful. Discard additional pitchers of water until the water runs completely clear.
---
### Need Additional Help?
If you continue to experience issues after following these priming instructions, please contact our customer support team. We are happy to assist you in getting the best performance from your Crystal Quest water pitcher.
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