Eheim Issue

[dunehole]

Hoping someone may have some advice for me here. I have a 2215 that I bought new in January of this year. Over the last two weeks my flow has been decreasing noticeably. I have now twice taken it apart and cleaned it out, replaced fine filters etc put it back together and same thing. I have also noticed that in the last week it is shooting out a small bubble every few seconds from my lily pipe. Then yesterday I noticed that it will also make that chopping air sound every once in a while. So I will go and shake it until all of the air is out, 6 or so hours later, same thing... more air. So it seems like there must be a leak somewhere, but where? There is no water leaking anywhere.. I havent noticed anything wrong with the O-Ring, but I haven't opened the unit since I have noticed this air issue. Could something be wrong with the O-ring in just 4 months? I've probably only opened it 3-4 times since I first set it up. Any help would be great.

Also, I ordered and am waiting on a 2217 impeller that I ordered when I was frustrated with the flow, but before the air issue creeped up.

[livingword26]

I'd lubricate that o-ring very well.

[cawolf86]

Sounds like some air is being pulled in. I agree with checking your O-ring and other connections in the body. It is probably a super small leak but what about a leak test while running?

[dunehole]

So, I should lube up the O-Ring with vaseline? I can try that, I hope thats it, pretty easy fix, but seems weird that it should need lubing this early.

CaWolf86 - What do you mean a leak test while running? I have been running it this whole time. I havent found even a single drip of water anywhere.

[dmagerl]

I find that air is pulled in when intake waterflow is restricted.

So clean out all your hoses, make sure the intake strainer is clean, make sure the doubletaps are open and unobstructed, make sure the plastic intake "U" is clean.

Do clean the hoses. Just last week mine did the same thing. Flow rate went down to a trickle over so long a time that I hardly noticed it happening. The amount of crud/slime/goop that came out of the hoses was amazing, and of course, it fixed the problem.

[brogan]

Originally Posted by dmagerl

I find that air is pulled in when intake waterflow is restricted.

So clean out all your hoses, make sure the intake strainer is clean, make sure the doubletaps are open and unobstructed, make sure the plastic intake "U" is clean.

Do clean the hoses. Just last week mine did the same thing. Flow rate went down to a trickle over so long a time that I hardly noticed it happening. The amount of crud/slime/goop that came out of the hoses was amazing, and of course, it fixed the problem.

+1

I had similar issues and it was because my intake tube was partially clogged...

[dasob85]

same thing drove me nuts too; opened and cleaned the canister multiple times until finally during a routing wc decided to clean the tubes and realized lots of gunk blocked off the intake slits. I felt really stupid afterwards lol

[150EH]

Check the elbow at the bottom of the canister, tighten it all the way (gently) then back it off to the position you use. Also make sure you have a half inch overlap at each tubing connection because it's rare that the motor o-ring leaks and IMO Vaseline is a no no because you could have it everywhere if you use too much, it can goop up you tubing and your plants if your not careful. Also make sure any quick connects are tight as well.

[cawolf86]

Originally Posted by dunehole

CaWolf86 - What do you mean a leak test while running? I have been running it this whole time. I havent found even a single drip of water anywhere.

If a small crack or leak is present in the body you may not see a leak but rather the inflow of air via the Venturi effect. This could be drawing air into the filter. While running try rubbing some bubbles or diluted soap water on the seams and seals to look for the inflow of air.

[PlantedRich]

There are also some times when we may miss the obvious. I shoot myself in the foot often!!! Try looking at the intake line where it enters the canister. It is possible to drop one of the small round barel media or gravel and it wind up stuck in that small item where we can't see it. Mine drove me nuts as I cleaned and cleaned but never looked in that one spot. It really screws up the waterflow.

[Mr. Fisher]

Sometimes it takes a while for the classics to push all the air out of the filter housing after a cleaning. It may take a few days. I've had air pockets days after changing the filter media, etc. The air will work its way out sooner or later. This does not mean there are leaks in the system.

Now for the flow...
Have you cleaned the impeller magnet and the inside of the impeller cavity? crap will build up over time (4 months is plenty) and will significantly reduce flow. If the impeller is clean, the flow should be restored. Very important to clean the magnet and the housing. I use q-tips and hot water.

I doubt the issue is your o-ring.

I'd also clean the inside of your filter tubes and quick disconnects as others have suggested, but I think that is a secondary issue.

[Diana]

Ditto the suggestions above. Take apart everything that can be taken apart and clean all those parts. I also have found snails or fine gravel where fittings connect to tubing, and where the water is supposed to turn a corner. I have cleaned hoses that had quite a bit of crud in them. For me, I find a strand of hair (I have a long haired dog) with strands of other stuff like Java Fern can make quite a blockage.
When you are putting things back together make sure all the fittings are snug, and seat fully where they are supposed to.
If you take fittings off tubing you might need to cut off the part of the tubing that was on the fitting if it is stretched out of shape. I find that holding the tubing in a cup of hot water softens it so it fits better, and a drop or 2 of vegetable oil helps the tubing slide onto the fitting easier. Then hose clamp to secure it. Make sure the hose clamp does not pinch the tubing, but clamps evenly all around.

I use Vaseline on O-rings, and have not noticed it getting all over the place. It stays where I put it, and definitely helps the O-rings slide into place and seat properly.

When you have done that, hook it all up again, and prime it with a separate pump or power head. A fairly powerful one, perhaps 200 gph. This will purge all the air out of the canister. While the PH is still running, but all the bubbling has stopped, plug in the filter.

[dunehole]

Thanks everyone for all of the help, tips, and suggestions. I had previously cleaned out all of my tubing. Today I did a water change, I took the filter apart again, I re-cleaned all of the tubes and quick connects, joints, elbows, etc etc. I pulled out the impeller and cleaned everything thoroughly (which I had done previously). I put it all back together again, this time I put a tiny amount of vaseline on the o-ring (just enough that it looked wet). Reconnected it all, purged of air, plugged it in, boom... tons of flow, like the first day I set it up.

So, I am not sure what the cause was, something I didn't clean properly, even though I am sure it was all clean, or the Vaseline, or what. Its been running for about an hour now and it doesn't sound like there is any air in the canister. So hopefully it stays operating properly and it was a mystery, probably user error, that does not come back. Thanks again for all of the help, I really appreciate it.

[Mr. Fisher]

glad it worked out!

[dunehole]

Ok, so I am so frustrated with this thing.. Everything was working wonderfully, this morning I was even considering dialing down the flow.. I come back a few hours later and I am back to almost no flow.... I am confused.. I have no clue what the problem could be.. I am getting about 1 tiny bubble per second coming out of the lily pipe, so I know air is getting in somewhere, however; shaking the canister it doesnt sound like there is much air at all this time, but maybe it just hasnt built up yet.. Ideas?