Eheim slow water flow

[brianp]

So would it be best to convert this filter to purely biological and get a couple of FX5's or Eheim 2080's for mechanical? as i'll have to upgrade filtration when fish stock increases anyway

"Purely biological"???

You realize, of course, that a filter with biomedia will still have to include mechanical media to prevent debris from reaching the biomedia, right? Also, two FX5s or the equivalent (each containing mechanical and biomedia) is already overkill on a 240 gallon tank.

 

[WyldFya]

"Purely biological"???

You realize, of course, that a filter with biomedia will still have to include mechanical media to prevent debris from reaching the biomedia, right? Also, two FX5s or the equivalent (each containing mechanical and biomedia) is already overkill on a 240 gallon tank.

Actually, there is no problem running a filter with 100% bio-media, and no mech filtration. If you want a clear tank another filter with mech filtration will fix the balance.

 

[WyldFya]

the intake tube from the left side of the tank goes straight across for about 1.5 m after it goes down and the right side intake tube just goes straight down to the filter. the output tube from the filter goes straight up then across to the spray bar in the tank. all tubing is above the filter height. even when this filter was on my other tank with shorter tubes the flow rate was the same as it is now.

The filter is packed with 1 complete Eheim 2080 media set which is if i remember correctly 4 litres of efhimech and 8 litres of substrat pro. This is what i originally thought may be the problem, so i tried taking the media out for a minute and running it empty but the flow rate still stays more or less the same.

Finally, the top of the tank is approx 4ft off the ground, about 2ft higher than the top of the filter, although the 2180 should work fine up to 6ft from the base of the filter according to the manual..

any ideas what else it could be? need to get filtration properly sorted before stocking the tank any more

The problem here sounds to be either one, the tubing, which should always be going downwards toward the intake, or two, the operator not knowing the output of this filter. Eheim pro 3 models do not have an excessive flow rate, just barely above that of a Fluval 404/405. As Wolf said, a spray bar spreads the pressure, and so the output will not feel as strong.

 

[Wolf3101]

Actually, there is no problem running a filter with 100% bio-media, and no mech filtration. If you want a clear tank another filter with mech filtration will fix the balance.

As long as you use free flowing Bio-media theres no reason not to set your system up this way. You might clog scrubbies or some other 'tight' bio-media but not ceramic rings. Make the best of each filters strengths and play down any weaknesses.

 

[DanProwse]

ok thanks everyone think i'll eventually change the eheim to purely biological, the built in prefilter should stop it getting too clogged anyway, and add an fx5 for mechanical and maybe a 2nd fx5 with mechanical aswell as the fx5 only holds half as much media as a 2180.. and i'd rather have "overkill" than not enough filtration to ensure good water quality

 

[Wolf3101]

You only need one FX5....fill the baskets with ceramic rings and just use the stock foam for mechanical... They have slightly less media area IF you don't include the stock foam...theres PLENTY of media space in an FX5 for a 240.

 

[DanProwse]

You only need one FX5....fill the baskets with ceramic rings and just use the stock foam for mechanical... They have slightly less media area IF you don't include the stock foam...theres PLENTY of media space in an FX5 for a 240.

and keep the eheim as it is or just bio?

 

[Wolf3101]

run it as a bio-filter as Wyld suggested. You'll have a LOT less maintaince that way. I can honestly see you only servacing these things every third month.

 

[DanProwse]

so using both filters just as bio, will the stock foam on an fx5 be able to cope with the whole mech. on its own?

 

[Wolf3101]

Easilly.... I have one on a 240 with some really BIG messy fish in it and even with servacing it every other month the tanks CRYSTAL clear.