Eheim canister filter low flow!

I have a enhime canister filter. its the classic 2213 I think. I had a co2 reactor hooked up but the filter never had enough flow to use it correctly. so I decided to take it off.

I took off the reactor cleaned the filter, impeller and even some of the hoses. I put it back to gather and it is hardly pushing any water out. iv looked at all the hoses to make sure there werent any kinks or anything stuck and I see nothing. anyone got a suggestion it seems broke to me. only had it for 4 months.

 

I have lots of Eheims running right now, and never had this problem. What kind of media did you fill it with, and how much? And how slow is the water coming out? Like just a trickle?

 

I have the media that came with it. Minus the active carbon. Yes I'd say a trickle.

 

Are you sure you have got it primed? If the canister is not full of water, this may happen. Other than that, make sure the impeller is seated correctly. If everything looks good, you may have a bad pump.

 

Yes its primed and everything. I had water coming out the top hose before I hooked it up. I'm worried its going to stop working completely so off to buy a new filter. I will contact enhime, but as of right now don't think I can recommend them.

 

I will always recommend Eheim. They are always willing to help if you have problems too. I had a issue with a Pro Series a few years back, and there were very helpful.

 

Assuming the impeller is not being impeded, check and clean:

- All hoses and spray bar (use a pipe cleaning brush)
- All taps (you can use a cue tip)
- The elbow join into the bottom of the canister.
- Use a cue tip to get in and clean the water path in the head
- Replace fine filter pad
- Use a cue tip to clean around the impeller housing.

Too, how high is the water being pumped back to the tank? Any higher than 1.5m (5' 5"), the pump will struggle.

Is the spray bar stopper in place?

And before you go buying a new filter, check the price of a new motor head, Eheim sell them as a spare part.

 

I took the impeller out and cleaned a couple times, it should be ok.

I took the return hose off with spray bar cleaned it all out and even cut the hose to a better size. I didnt check the incoming flow because when priming it it seemed fine. but if nothing else works I will.

what are taps? the connectors that connect the hoses? again I checked the return one, ill check the others.

I did clean the elbow at the bottom.

I used a filter cleaner brush to clean the head/impeller area. is this diff then two lines down?

dont have another fine filter pad. this filter has only been running for 3 months tops. the filter pad seems fine I cleaned it very well.

cleaned in the impeller housing well.

its a 33g long tank on a stand I'm guessing its only 4ft. and it worked fine before the last couple days.

thanks ryan very good list!

 

Definitely clean the feed lines, especially if they appear dark, and hard to see through

Also, might be worth removing the fine filter pad and trying it without the pad temporarily. I wouldn't run without the pad for too long, due to risk of sucking something through the impeller.

The filter pads typically only last about 3 months, so you're about right for a service and replace.

The taps are the quick release fittings on the hoses.

I wrote a guide sometime ago about Classics -

 

ok lots of work but I will take it completely apart and then try again.

I did buy a aquaclear rated for a 110 gallon tank. I'm going to be putting it on a future tank. so I figured if I can't get the enhime fixed and it stops working completely at least I can move everything to that.

ill let ya know if I end up getting it to work thanks.

 

Eheim has an 800 number to contact them. I had to once on my Pro3 filter and they resolved it right on the phone. They are good to deal with. Excellant filters for canisters.

 

so today its running better but not 100%.

I just noticed that there are air bubbles coming out my spray bar. there are no leaks, I'm guessing air is getting in from the O ring between the head and canister. I have some lube for it ill try tomorrow, if that dosnt work ill order a new ring.

 

You can also try pick up the canister and move it from side to side and backwards and forwards to help get the air out.

It was a common 'problem' with my classic, and to some extent my Pro.