Fluval 406 with awful flow...

[Delexboarfoot]

This morning I installed the the Ehiem.

First impressions: Build quality is if a VERY high standard. Design is by someone who knows what he's doing. Parts and filter media are designed to last, not be replaced. Oh and the impeller cover looks like it could hold in a port hole on a submarine.

I have plumbed it in using my existing Fluval hosing, which I found to be a good snug fit, I used the hose clip that came with the Ehiem to secure it to the hose connector of the filter. Looks good, will keep a close eye on it for a week or so in case of problems. My reasons for using the Fluval hosing are:
1. It is extremely flexible and will not kink.
2. The brackets that mount it to the side of the tank prevent the weight of the water filled hose from pulling fittings such as lily pipes out of position.
3. the only joints outside of the tank are where the pipes connect to the pump head. (reduced risk of leaks).
4. Its does not seem to get contaminated and clogged in the way that "standard" hoses do and so needs much less cleaning.
5. It has a larger bore than the Ehiem pipes and so should not cause any flow problems.
6. I wanted to be able to directly compare the output of the Ehiem to the Fluval.
7. The Ehiem hoses and fittings are green. No actually they are GREEN. (for the correct effect you need to SHOUT that last GREEN loudly, No louder than that. Louder!)

Flow is at least double that of the Fluval, possibly more. Of course it's all brand spanky new at the moment.

So how does it filter water?

First of all there is NO bypass. None, nada, zip.

Water enters the top of the filter and is drawn into the Bottom of the top tray, which is sealed off from the other 4 media trays, it then flows against gravity and though a coarse "pre filter" until it can flow down a triangular channel in the corner of the filter box, the opening of which is above the pre filter. (gravity trap, designed to take out any large/medium solids).

Once the water is at the bottom of the filter box it enters a void below the bottom media basket before being drawn very slowly, due to the large cross section of the media baskets, upward. (another gravity trap)

There are 4 media baskets. The bottom 2 are filled with "MECHpro", short sections of small gauge ribbed plastic tubing, designed to trap medium/small solids. These are completely reusable and washable. The third basket is filled with "bioMECH". Cramatic media designed to trap small solids and to provide some biological filtration. This is also washable. The last basket is filled with "SUBSTAT", a cramatic biological media, topped off with a large polishing pad. The biological media does not require replacement. It is recommended, by the instructions, that the polishing pad be replaced rather than cleaned. But you can clean it if you need to.

All in all I think that the Ehiem is going to work out much cheaper than the Fluval in the long term. (apart from the fact that it actually works)

Oh yes. it only does 16 Watts if electricity and no you can not hear it AT ALL.

So apart from the GREEN hosing and fittings.

Whats not to like?

[diamondd7711]

I have a 406 as well and I was having flow problems, to the point there was almost none. I completely took the filter apart and cleaned as you have, still low flow. Then I found a similar post and discovered that the impellers on the fluval are very sensitive to wear. The blades on mine were just very slightly rounded on the corners. Replaced impeller, works great again.

[sundragon]

Originally Posted by diamondd7711

I have a 406 as well and I was having flow problems, to the point there was almost none. I completely took the filter apart and cleaned as you have, still low flow. Then I found a similar post and discovered that the impellers on the fluval are very sensitive to wear. The blades on mine were just very slightly rounded on the corners. Replaced impeller, works great again.

How long had you owned the filter for this to happen?

[sundragon]

Originally Posted by Delexboarfoot

This morning I installed the the Ehiem.

Whats not to like?

Congratulations! I'm jelly

I haven't seen the "600" model in the states - what's the SKU/part number so I can check the prices?

[Delexboarfoot]

Originally Posted by sundragon

Congratulations! I'm jelly

I haven't seen the "600" model in the states - what's the SKU/part number so I can check the prices?

2075. is the number on the box.

Manual can be downloaded from here

http://www.trilbytropicals.com/EHEIMPARTSHEETS.HTM

Same site sells them (it's an American site) $289.99. That's not to say that's the best price.

http://www.shop.trilbytropicals.com/...c?categoryId=3

600 refers to; 600 liters. You guys still use old money, that's probably why it don't come up on a search for 600. It's described as;

Eheim 2075 Pro 3 Canister Filter.

Beware when buying! Make sure the one you get comes with media. Over wise lots of extra pennys.

[Delexboarfoot]

Originally Posted by diamondd7711

that the impellers on the fluval are very sensitive to wear.

Amongst many other problems.

[Delexboarfoot]

Originally Posted by Delexboarfoot

Amongst many other problems.

I'm sorry. That was rude of me. Thanks for your input.

[sundragon]

Originally Posted by Delexboarfoot

I'm sorry. That was rude of me. Thanks for your input.

It's all good I realize you were poking fun.

[diamondd7711]

Originally Posted by sundragon

How long had you owned thin the filter for this to happen?

I had the filter for about 6 months...but the bag in the filter holding the carbon media had opened and pieces of it were pulled through the impeller and blown into the spray bar. I think that is what messed up my impeller.

[Delexboarfoot]

Got a response from Hagen today.

They sent me a link to a form asking how happy I was with their response to my inquiry.

There has been no response.

There has been no inquiry.

There has been a complaint.

Filled out form in as negative way as possible.

Awaiting sensible response.

[sundragon]

Originally Posted by Delexboarfoot

2075. is the number on the box.

Manual can be downloaded from here

http://www.trilbytropicals.com/EHEIMPARTSHEETS.HTM

Same site sells them (it's an American site) $289.99. That's not to say that's the best price.

http://www.shop.trilbytropicals.com/...c?categoryId=3

600 refers to; 600 liters. You guys still use old money, that's probably why it don't come up on a search for 600. It's described as;

Eheim 2075 Pro 3 Canister Filter.

Beware when buying! Make sure the one you get comes with media. Over wise lots of extra pennys.

Ours is the 160G, 600L makes it sound more impressive until you do the conversion

$256.00 at one LFS (comprable to Amazon @ $234.00) quite a bit more than the CFS-500 and the SUNSUN, but it's an Eheim.

What size are your hoses?

[Delexboarfoot]

Originally Posted by sundragon

What size are your hoses?

The supplied hoses (with the Ehiem) are 16mm internal 22mm external. Mine is currently running with the hoses supplied with the 406.

[sundragon]

Originally Posted by Delexboarfoot

The supplied hoses (with the Ehiem) are 16mm internal 22mm external. Mine is currently running with the hoses supplied with the 406.

Same size, that helps!

[Delexboarfoot]

Originally Posted by sundragon

Same size, that helps!

Err. No. The Fluval tubes that I am using are as supplied with the 406, not conventional filter tubing but the ribbed stuff. They are a good but looser fit than the Ehiem tubing as provided by Ehiem. Using the tube clip as provided by Ehiem I am unable to pull them off.

I am not sure that I should recommend this as a course of action as yet as it is early days and problems may still develop.

From one of your earlier posts I see that you do not use the Fluval tubing as it "reduces flow by design". (I feel you my be right).

I would double check your hose sizes if this is likely to cause you an issue.

[sundragon]

Originally Posted by diamondd7711

I had the filter for about 6 months...but the bag in the filter holding the carbon media had opened and pieces of it were pulled through the impeller and blown into the spray bar. I think that is what messed up my impeller.

Have you had any issues since you replaced the impeller?