EHEIM Cannister Filter getting weaker?

2248 Views 16 Replies 11 Participants Last post by howie, Oct 28, 2007

WaveSurfer

Discussion Starter · Oct 16, 2007

Hi,

I've been using my EHEIM cannister filter (not sure what model; if need to, I can go find out) since Jan 2007 and recently it has been getting weaker, as in the water flow from the outlet is quite slow even if both IN and OUT taps are switched to fully opened.

I clean the filter quite regularly and just cleaned once a week ago, believeing that something might have been jammed in the filter media or something. Still after cleaning, the water flow hasn't improved much.

Anyone can advise what could be the problem, and what can I do to improve the performance?

Thank you.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

frozenbarb

· #2 · Oct 16, 2007

New impellor?

tazcrash69

· #3 · Oct 16, 2007

Do you have any inline accessories on it?
Are you hearing any noises from it?
Are you sure that the tubing, or inflow or outflow does not have any blockage in it?

Was it new or used in jan 2007? Seems quick to be an impeller if new.

zergling

· #4 · Oct 16, 2007

check the impeller. my 2236 showed a drastic reduction of water flow when one of the impeller tooth broke off (accidentally turned it on prior to priming).

oh, be careful with the impeller shaft, i accidentally snapped it into three when i was replacing my impeller, now I have to get a replacement

caoboy

· #5 · Oct 16, 2007

You are supposed to clean the impellar every once in a while also.

tropicalfish

· #6 · Oct 16, 2007

caoboy said:
You are supposed to clean the impellar every once in a while also.

True, but zergling is saying not to handle it harshly and roughly.

WaveSurfer

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 17, 2007

Thanks for the responses.

About the impeller, is there any specific method I must do to clean it properly? Can it be detached from the unit to be cleaned thoroughly?

I've checked the tubings and there is no blockage. The filter is brand new when bought.

May I know what is inline accessories? No, there isn't noises when running; in fact, it's sounding softer than how it used to sound (maybe motor running slower?).

tazcrash69

· #8 · Oct 17, 2007

WaveSurfer said:
May I know what is inline accessories?

Inline accesories such as a a UV or CO2 reactor.

Also have you checked for kinks in the hoses?

As far as cleaning the impeller, it'll depend on what filter you have, but it is removable, just wipe it down under running water, andhandle the impeller shaft carefully, they are ceramic.

WaveSurfer

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 17, 2007

tazcrash69 said:
Inline accesories such as a a UV or CO2 reactor.

Also have you checked for kinks in the hoses?

As far as cleaning the impeller, it'll depend on what filter you have, but it is removable, just wipe it down under running water, andhandle the impeller shaft carefully, they are ceramic.

Checked the hoses but no kinks. Hoses have been cleaned thoroughly using pull-through pipe cleaners too.

I've searched around the Net and my filter looks similar to this:

EHEIM ECCO 2234

I will try to take out the impeller tonight; any special instructions to remove it?

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Color Me Blue

· #10 · Oct 17, 2007

Do you have your instruction pamplet? It will show you how to remove the impeller part for cleaning. I have the 2217 and noticed the same problem, even though I flushed the canister, hoses, etc. It was only when I cleaned the impeller area, that it ran with full force.

Usually look at the underside of your motor assembly.....there should be a way to just release the impeller area to clean.

Color Me Blue

· #11 · Oct 17, 2007

Special instructions: Clean it carefully and don't lose any of the parts. LOL Kidding aside, use Q-tips to clean the area where the impeller is housed and flush it with water. Clean the impeller so that it moves easily (you'll most likely find build up on it). Then place everything back the exact way you found it.

WaveSurfer

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 22, 2007

Thanks for all the advices.

I have cleaned the impeller thoroughly, and even removed the 'ball' for near the outlet of the filter head, to supposedly improve smoother flow of water.

However, despite all these efforts, the strength of the filter is still rather weak. Yes, water is pumped out, but hardly anything near to the power we experienced around 10 months ago.

May I check if it could be a priming issue? What should be the correct method to prime this filter model?

All help appreciated.

zoidberg

· #13 · Oct 22, 2007

The tubing may not have any blockage, but what about buildup in the tubing? Mine gets built-up with gunk after awhile and it does have a noticeable affect on water flow.

mott

· #14 · Oct 22, 2007

Just for s***'s and giggles did you try to remove the media and see if the flow changes at all?

fishscale

· #15 · Oct 22, 2007

zergling, what part of the impeller has teeth on it? I have the same filter, and I was cleaning it yesterday because it is a little louder than I would like it to be, but I didn't see it. Also, is there anywhere online that has instructions for taking apart the impeller?

WaveSurfer

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 23, 2007

mott said:
Just for s***'s and giggles did you try to remove the media and see if the flow changes at all?

Will go give that a try soon and let you know.

Zoidberg,
Have checked the tubings but didn't see any rubbish or stuff stucked along the path...

howie

· #17 · Oct 28, 2007

I had the same problem with 2 2217 on a 120H. If you are using ADA Lily pipes with your eheim, then try cleaning the intake Lilly pipe. Once I did that the flow returned.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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