New Fish Tank Filter Not Working

How do I know that my filter is working properly?

I just inherited my first fish tank…the filter is an inside filter, and I don’t think that it is working properly. There is no visual show that the water is circulating. I have no paperwork or anything. I put a new cartridge in, placed it in a rear corner of the tank and plugged it in. There is a gentle humming sound, but no water movement? Is there something silly that I am not doing??? HELP ME PLEASE.

The water should be circulating in the tank. Try pouring water in the reservoir of the wheel. This is called priming . I have to do this almost every time I clean my fish tank.

My new fish tank

Beckett 7060110 210 GPH Underwater Pump for Small Ponds, Fountains, Waterfalls $45.25 Epoxy-encapsulated submersible pump. All have 115V, 60 Hz., and a 20-feet cord. Availability: 92 gph, 19 watts, 0.3 amps, max lift 4.3′ screen inlet, outlet accepts 3/8″ ID tubing; 210 gph, 25 watts, .5 amps, max lift 7.1′ outlet accepts 1/2″ tubing; 340 gph, 50 watts, .8 amps, max lift 12.2′ outlet accepts 1/2″ tubing; 535 gph, 80 watts, 1.2 amps, max lift 12.4′ outlet accepts 3/4″ tubing….

Rena 723 Filstar XP4 Canister Filter $169.99 API Rena FilStar Canister Aquarium Filter RENA(R) Filstar xP Canister Filter’s advanced technology, superior design, large media capacity, strong flow rates and solid consturuction make the RENA FILSTAR xP Series Canister Filters the most reliable and easy-to-maintain canister filters available. Features: Color coded parts are organized in a vacuum-formed tray Self-priming, for fast and easy maint…