Llama

I recently bought an new aquarium, and it came with an external filter, something I haven't ever used before.

To be exact its an EHEIM Classic (2213). Now the instruction manual says you need to prime the filter before its used, basically starting the siphon to get it to work.

Now the 3 options the manual suggests - 2 of which involve buying some sort of add-on, nothing I have, while the last one suggests SUCKING on the pressure end of the tube. Now I don't really think doing so is very hygenic, so I was going to try to squeeze a plastic drinking bottle and suck it that way. However I friend of mine suggested instead that I add water to the entrance side ('suction side') of the filter, until water enters the filter (it should level out due to pressure and all that), and then turn the filter on.

Would this work? How full must the tubes be for it to work?
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A second related problem I have is that the manual says that when you perform maintenance work on it

"1) The filter must have no water in it when reconnecting to the aqarium
2) The pressure hose to the spray bar must be drained of water and the tap (if fitted) left open
3) After connections are made, the tap on the suction side can be opened (it holds the siphon). Water will flow into the filter expelling all air out of the spray bar, eliminating air locks and ensuring a perfect prime."

Riight, so what does that mean exactly? I'd be under the impression that after I turn the filter off, I'd need to reprime it... got a bit confused about all of this to be honest.

Any help?

agabr123

lol, i know it doesn't sound sanitary but honestly sucking on the tube is the easiest way to get it going, that's what i do for my gravel vacuum

it sounds like it means that it will be completely self-priming after the first time you use it, which i honestly don't know if it's true or not. it's at least worth a try the first time so you can see if it will do the work for you. i don't have any canister filters yet (none of my tanks are large enough at the moment to make them cost-efficient), so hopefully someone that has that model can help you more

Llama

I suppose the only water which passes through is filtered water... so might not kill me yet

It came with a pair of taps. So I assume if I turn off the 'supply' tap, water will collect at the side, so could that be enough to resume the siphon?

If its not self-priming, won't that burn the pump or something?

cerianthus

Did it come with DOUBLE TAP QUICK RELEASE VALVES?

Llama

Yep, they look nice, no idea what they're for though.

cerianthus

I will post quick drawing on how to use in a moment, OK?

cerianthus

pardon my terrible dwg and handwriting. LMK if any questions or I can tell you how to prime and run step by step once filter is set up and hooked up as the dwg.
From Malta as in Island in Med Sea?

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Llama

Right, so at least I know I stuck everything in the right place (and discovered some of the tubing was loose in the process). Now if you'd kindly tell me what they're used for, I would be very appriciative.

Step-by-step explanation of priming and getting it to work after cleaning would be very helpful thanks.

cerianthus

I am to assume that all the hoses are properly attached and clamped and water in the tank. Just have Towel near by just in case. Leave all the valves opened.
1. Separate DTQL in the middle from Return Tubing (one that is attached to head).
2. Suck on the valve attched to head. You will see/hear water coming down and filling the canister.
3. Once you can see canister filling, shut off the valve that you sucked on to prime the hose.
4. Now attached/reconnect the DTQL as it was. Make sure it well tighten.
5. Open the valve that was closed and let the filter fill.
6. Shake the canister gently (back and forth) to rid of air pocket.
7. Plug in and gently shake once more to get rest of air pocket.


TO clean and restart:
1. unplug.
2. Shut off all the valves (4 valves)
3. Disconnect both DTQL in the middle (return and suction)
4. Take out canister leaving hose hanging w/ one valve on both side as is with water still in hose.
5. Once Canister in sink, open the both valve to release water from canister.
6. DO whatever you need to clean.
7. Bring the canister back to tank (No water in canister)
8. Reconnect all the valves and tighten
9. Open 2 valves on suction side then open 2 valves on return side. Raise the spray bar above water so could fill faster.
10. canister will fill all by itself. Wait until completely filled.
11. Plug and shake gently to rid of air pocket.
Done!

Llama

That was incredibly helpful, thanks a lot

Llama

Hmm, have a small problem

If I remember my physics correctly, then unless there's a change in pressure, water will find its level. Given that the DTQL is only a few cms of tubing away from the canister, I'd assume that by the time that I see water fill the cannister, then there will only be a few cms of water, and the suction pipe will be almost empty.

Is this supposed to happen? I thought pumps have a tendancy to burn if you give them air to pump. I haven't tried it yet (still waiting for the rest of the gravel before I fill 'er up) but better safe than sorry.

How full do the pipes have to be before I turn it on?

lordingsy

I have the the Eheim 2215 classic. I only disconnect the hoses from the canister when the media needs rinsing. if so this is what i do:

1. Turn the power off on the filter
2. close the taps
3. disconnect them from the canister. Use a towel under the canister, there will still be a tiny bit of water in the hose.
4. do cleaning etc
5. connect hoses back up
6. open taps. the filter then fills itself again right up to the spray bar. You can see/hear the water going up.
7. When full plug it back in.

Sorted

edit: i really need to start reading the full thread. Just basically repeated what cerianthus said.

Llama

Good to see someone who has similar apparatus, how did you prime it first time?

lordingsy

Just give it a little suck. Put your thumb in your mouth with the tube and when you see the water coming, block the end with your thumb and reconnect the hose.

Unfortunatley you will always get a little bit of spillage. Just make sure you have a towle under the filter.

cerianthus

Why dont you try first.

cerianthus

Can avoid any spillage if you have double tap quick Release Valve.

lordingsy

Ah I only have the single taps. If you have the double taps, what happens to any water that is still in the hose that gets disconnected from the canister?

Llama

Just tried it out, worked like a charm

Thanks for all the help

Llama

*blows dust off*

Just another quick, related question. When repriming it with the double tap valves, do I have to drain the return tube of water before I open the valve? Do I wait until fills from the suction side before I open the return tube?

prairielilly

I just bought an Eheim Classic 2215, and the instructions are less than stellar...really glad to have found this thread!

Llama

*sniff* I know what you mean. Took me 30 minutes to figure out that I needed to actually CUT the tubing

ADDED: (3 tips)

I) When repriming with double-tap valves, you should open the suction part, wait until it fills and then stick the other one in - I empited the pressure tube into a bucket as well

II) Remember, an N litre filter holds N litres of water in it. Most of it will come out of the LOWER tube (suction) when you try to empty it.

III) If you didn't know II before you started (like me), it helps to keep a mop near you