Ehiem 2217

[Aaron4321]

I know this should go in the Equipment section but i know quite a few of you have one, so might be better here.

I have made a few thread before about it but nothing has changed.
The filter has really poor performance, and the outflow is really bad if not half what it was when i got it. The filter is only about 2 months old. I have tried cleaning the filter but everything seems to be clean, there are no kinks in the pipes, There is a little bit of dirt in them but not much, Cant get into the bit where the impeller is (Dont know how).

I have e-mailed Ehiem and they were no help at all and just said that there is nothing wrong with the filter just that it needs cleaning etc...

Anybody know what could be wrong with it??

[Graham]

To get at the impeller just remove the cover, which IIRC is a bayonet fit, you turn it and lift?
Actually I have the box for one of mine next to me, and there's a photo on the side showing how the impeller cover goes together.
I'd be very surprised if there really is something wrong with it, problems are almost always due to air in the system or dirt, I would clean the pipes even if it doesn't look as though there's much dirt in them, if nothing else you'll eliminate that as the problem and can look elsewhere.
Then remove the impeller cover and make sure it's all clean inside, if it still doesn't work properly then that only leaves an airlock or bubbles in the system, which are the most likely causes.
Turning the whole filter upside down while it's running is usually all it takes to clear any airlocks, and check the hoses visually to make sure there are no airlocks in those, they will be at the tops of the hoses where the bend is.

[Aaron4321]

I will have to buy a cleaner for the pipes this weekend then and try that, i have a feeling that it is the impeller but i couldn't work out how to get to it lol

Ill have a root around for the box

[Graham]

To clean the pipes get a piece of old electrical flex or other fairly stiff wire with a small piece of tissue or cloth tied to one end, pull it through and your pipes will be spotless again!

I'd be surprised if there is anything in the impeller, the sponge filters should trap anything big enough to foul it, I would put money on an airlock in the hoses or bubbles in the pump.

It's worth checking all the hose connections, if they're not quite secure it's possible that air is being sucked in, I soften the ends of the hoses by dipping them in boiling water before pushing them onto the terminals.

[Aaron4321]

Going to give it a nice big clean tonight. Whats is the best way to prime it?

[Zeph]

The eaiest way I have found is to place the pipe from the inlet (bottom of filter) into the tank, then take the outlet pipe (top of filter) and suck !, you will hear it gurgle as a syphon starts, attach the outlet pipe to the spraybar and switch on the pump, if it makes a noise then you can give filter a gentle shake, or just try switching it on and off a few times.

Make sure the seal is seated properly between the pump and the cannister !

What filter media are you using ?

[Aaron4321]

The Eheim mech and pads (Ran out of Substrat pro)

So suck and switch it one once it looks/sounds full?

[Zeph]

That's it !,, I have the double taps so it makes everything a little easier

[Zeph]

I also use an old cullinder, to clean the media in some old tank water, make sure the inlet bit at the bottom of the filter is clear of any gunk

[Aaron4321]

i have the double taps as well.