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OK I bought an Eheim Canister Filter and have been trying now for about 2 months to get the stupid thing to work...I thought I had finally got it to work this evening, when I realized that I had the hosing on the wrong spouts...now that I have them on the right spouts I can't get the syphoning to work again, unless I have the tubing out of the tank, so I know I have to go buy some more tubing]:|

Now with this said, I have 4 pieces leftoverall 4 look just alike, and I assume they are the pieces that would turn the flow on and off, but how the heck do I attach them? (For those trying to visualize this, they are like the one on a python that you can flip to stop suction or pouring water...) Can someone tell me what they are for? Where do I connect them? I've looked at the manual, and the picture on the box...They are the most useless instructions that I have ever seen, they are even worse than the instructions that come with any Ikea furniturebut that is another story...

Please someone save me...I'm gonna loose what sanity I have left...for now I have the heavy glass lid holding the tubing in the tank, but at this level syphoning won't happenand for anyone who wants to knowwater ran through the canister filter doesn't taste or smell badbut will give you an upset stomach

Tanx, heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

micheIIe

First did you read all the instructions as they are very basic to asemble. Some models come with extra parts that can be used as an alternative.

To start of with what Model and number.
Did you buy it new?
Can you go to where you bought it.
Contact Eheim and ask them for you nearest supplier.
My model Pro11 had several parts over as there was alternatives that could be used.

If all else fails post a photo with all the necessary info
If all else fails reread the book.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Wow! 2 months of problems in setting up your Eheim. I'm really sorry to hear you are having such troubles.

At the link below are 3 reviews of different Eheim canister filters. They include lots of pictures. I hope they help your problem;

http://www.cloudytanks.com

Asaint

the python end should have one side with rubber seals on it and the not. take the tubes and stuff them into this thing...then there should be a snap bracket thats 2 pieces and push it together over the tubes. then you just plug the end with the seals intot he canister and flip the lever forward. then you turn the 2 switches to on.

as far as suction goes this is an issue ive had to deal with once in a while. you pull that bracket out with the 2 seals and well...suck on the intake hose then stick it back into the canister and throw the lever lockign it shut again. you will hear it filling up and you just plug it in and wait.

OK Sin I'll try that...

Keith I tried reading the instructions they were uselessx:and I've reread them a zillion times...the guy at the shop i got it from wasn't much better. So if I still can't figure it out, I will be taking photos and posting them...stay tuned to this post sometime this evening I'll let ya'll know...thanks again...heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

all we need is just the model number then we can tell you exactly how they work....

honestly their instruction manuals are best of all the brands already...believe it or not....I have used more than 5 other brands of canisters and all of them got worse instructions

I'd rather not think of how bad the other instructions are...of course the instruction manuel I got had very very very little English in it...Now if I spoke German, Japenese, and about 3 other languages, there were no pictures (I'm more visual), and the picture on the box is incomplete...

What I have is the Eheim Classic 2213...I know it isn't large enough to be the only filter for my 125, it is just part of the filtration...

at this point i'm ready to throw it out the window...I figured out where the "python pieces" go I think, but I can't get enough suction going to get it to jump the edge of the tank, and i'm tired of sucking and blowing on the tubing...So folks what can I do? Thanks again...heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Heidi, I seriously feel your pain! LOL, I also had the Eheim 2213 on my tank, and it took me ages to set-up, approx 3 hours (not as long as you though!).

First make sure you have the input/output correct. The input is on the top, and the output is on the bottom of the filter (I think). Join these to their correct tubes - input with the suction tube, output with the spraybar.

Make sure you use the quick release taps that come with the filter, as it allows you to block off water flow in the tubes to clean the cannister easier. There should be a pic in the instruction how to join the quick release taps.

All I have to say is, yes the instructions suck majorly and the filter itself is quite hard to use/maintain. I got rid of the 2213 and got a whisper 60 for my 40 gal. So far the new filter is much easier to use/maintain and is doing a good job filtering too!


Last edited by guppy01 at 22-Apr-2005 23:21

Hi,
I have the same filter as you, heres a couple tips:
The things you have, 4 peices, they go together to make 2 peices. They are your shut off valves. You should not run this filter without the shutoff valves for 2 reasons:
1) You have to take everything out when you want to do maintenance, this will be a real mess when the water keeps flowing out of the filter and all over your floor.
2) It helps with getting the damned thing started.

If you look at this picture, in the top right corner you can see your extra peices as they are assembled.

Now heres what you do:
The bottom spout on your eheim is the INPUT. This allows for the water to flow up through all the media into the aquarium. So, you take your big green hose, and measure off 2 peices of 3 inch tubing. Now, first on the INPUT, attach one 3 peice inch of tubing, to this attach of the shut off valves, they screw together in the middle and both the ends with rubber seals go into the tubing. On the other end, attach your long hose, this peice goes to the Intake Strainer. So: Bottom Spout - 3 inch tubing - Shut off Valve - Hose - Intake Strainer
Next:
The top if your OUTPUT. Repeat as above, Top Spout- 3 Inch Tubing, Shut off Valve - Hose - Spray Bar
Once this is in place, here is how you start the gosh darned filter.
1) Fill the Eheim's Tank with water right to the brim, pop the lid back on it.
2) Ensure aquarium is full right to the top, and if possible fill hoses to aquarium level before hooking up. keeping valves shut off of course.
3) Attach eheim to all hoses, place inside aquarium
4) Keeping Valves shut OFF, Plug in the Eheim
5) Once you hear the motor going, release the INPUT Valve
6) Release the OUTPUT Valve
7) I use a siphon bulb on the end of mine to get it going, but you can also remove the spray bar and suck this works too
8) Once you have the thing going, it will go forever. When you want to do filter maintenance, heres what you do to ensure quick restart:
First Close shut off valves - this ensure the tubing stays full of water
Second Unplug Eheim, detach from Valves via Screws that hold them together
Third Remove Eheim, clean as usual, fill with water, reconnect
Fourth Plug In Eheim, then release Valves. Filter should auto restart for you.

PS: IF the filter is empty of water, this is hopeless. To maintain bacteria, fill with tank water, or dechlorinated water, Top up tank before starting filter. If the tank is not full enough, filter wont start easy at all.

I hope all of this helps you, if you have any questions, ask and maybe I can help. The first time I started my eheim to test it, the kitchen and myself got soaked. The second time it didnt work at all. T hird time I remembered the filter had to be full of water. Fourth time like a charm, been that way every since!
Best of Luck![/font]

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Heres a pic of the assembled unit with Shut off valves for you to see better!
[/font]

Come Play Yahtzee With Me!
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LOL, see I couldn't even get the input/output right! Doh.
Anyway Sneaky_pete gave you great advice, listen to her
I'm just happy because I no longer have to deal with this darn filter.

I really am debating killing this piece of stuff]:|

I'm still fighting it, though I admit i did give up on it for a couple of weeks there. But, today I started working on the dang thing again, emptying the canister of the funky water, adjusting hoses, but forgot which ones went where, so I'll go home and check now that I know...I figured my tank was topped off, but I'll go fill the dang thing to the brim...Think it would help for me to hold the canister up as high as I can under the stand? Anyone have anymore advice? I at least have it all together now...but still won't ever buy an Eheim again...

heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

I have the same model Ehiem and find it great. It is much easier to deal with than my HUGE OTTO 450gal/hr.

The secret is in the syphon (as I learnt from the OTTO which I got first). There is ALWAYS a better solution than sucking on the hose to start the syphon too.
This is how I do it:
* Don't fill the canister.

* Once you have set up the output stage of the filter hooked up (on the top of the filter) put together all the bits for the input stage as described by earlier posts (except the strainer).

* Disconnect the input hose above the valve.

* Hold all the hose from the top of the valve to the bottom of the inside tank intake under the water in the tank so ALL the air goes out.

* Hold a thumb/finger over both ends of this hose and pull it out of the tank. You now have a hose full of water.

* With the one end in the tank (near the top but under the water hold the other end outside the tank below tank level OVER A BUCKET and release your fingers from the ends.

* The water in the hose should be pulled out by gravity and your bucket should be filling up.

* Stopper the end again with a finger and jam it onto the end of the CLOSED valve.

* Open the valve and watch the canister fill with water.

* Once it is filled to the top turn it on and it will start pumping water out the return.

This is a VERY long description of a very quick action. Should have it going in < 5 mins.

Dean

PS. make sure the canister intake is below the level of the in-tank intake or it will never work!

A detailed procedure has been described above...

but I say again here...in very simple words...

doesn't matter what way you use, as long as the canister is full of water, and the intake pipe is full of water (no air), plugin it will work perfectly

one magic way I find it will always work but require another running canister or a power head (lol..sounds like a solar powered torch . just put the output of the running canister or power head into the output of the filter that u trying to start ( with another hose will help a lot), with this the canister as well as all the intake/output pipes will be full of water then simply plug & play