Eheim 2028 suddenly flow become extremely slow

[Aeon]

As usual, I did a cleaning of my lily pipes and co2 reactor today, when I connect everything back, the filter become real slow. Rather than 1050L/hr, now it's more like 1L/hr.

I cleaned both the white(fine) and blue (coarse) filter sponges, in case clogged. Then open up the head and see if there's anything stuck inside, nothing. Normally, the water entering my reactor is gushing, now it's like a trickle.

What could be wrong? Does it matter if the tank runs w/o a filter for a day or 2?

[boonpeiu]

I don't think filter media is the problem. You could try running it without any media to test. I would suggest you take a look at the impeller, try spin with your hand see if it is smooth, check if there is dirt stucked.

[Aeon]

Yep tried running without media, doesn't help. Looked at the impeller also, not broken, turned on the power for a few seconds, the impeller spins ok... anyway I'm bringing it to Qian Hu tomorrow. Need to bring the whole filter or not? Or just the head will do?

[vinz]

Before you bring it down:
- Checked for kinks in your hoses?
- Clogging in the hoses?

If you are using the external CO2 reactor that is made from the drinking fountain filter, check that the hose in the middle is not blocking the waterway at the bottom. I know someone who pushed it in too far and it blocked the bend inside. If you don't understand what I'm saying, just remove it first and see if the flow is back to normal.

Sometimes the external CO2 reactor acts like an airlock and prevents flow.

Sometimes bubbles in the bends of the hose act like airlocks. Make sur eto clear all large air bubbles in the hose.

I almost forgot. I used to run a Pro II on a cichlid tank. Every few months or so it will stop flowing because of air buildup in the filter and hoses. It is caused by air leaking IN from the seal between the head and the canister. All I have to do is smear vaseline (came with the filter) on the O-ring and the problem is solved. Try that. If it works, get a new O-ring as a long term solution.

Actually, to check if its the filter or blockage, just stop the filter, take the outlet out of the tank, and place it in a pail that is lower than the tank and see of the water flows. If it flows normally, it's the filter problem. If it does not, it's blockage.

[Aeon]

Hey thanks vinz. Haven't bring it down. I tried to run it again with empty baskets and it flows ok.

So now my conclusion is that my Substrat Pro + BioHome + coral chips layer is the culprit. It could be due to the coral chips I added to that basket. The smaller particles filled up the voids between the Substrat Pro and reduced the flow greatly.

Now I'm having a hard time separating the coral chips from the Substrat Pro. Also using this chance to change my hoses in such a way that the hose adapter is closer to the lily pipes than the filter, wide hose longer and narrow hose shorter. Less bottlenecks this way.

[vinz]

Depending on how much smaller your coral chips are vs the substrat pro, but this might work:

Put them in a bucket and shake it side to side or swirl it around. If the chips are small enough, you should see the smaller particles separate to the bottom and large pieces to the surface.

If nothing else, the larger coral chips and substrate pro will surface and you
can use that upper layer in your filter while you sort out the smaller pieces.

[Aeon]

Crap. I reconnected my filter back to the tank, this time with empty baskets and again it's damn freaking slow. *** is happening? I've spent half a day on a wet floor and nothing is improving.

Is it my baskets put wrongly? the top one has an extra piece of plastic cylinder. Should it be there?

[Aeon]

La la la! I figured it out. The culprit is the Max Mix reactor, or rather me. I unknowingly placed the lower plastic impeller-like thing upside down and blocked the flow of the water.



Those with the Max Mix reactor take note of this during washing.

[vinz]

Thanks for the graphics!

[Aeon]

Pictures speak a thousand words!

[krabbie]

Pictures speak a thousand words!

I must say you are very good at the graphics .... It's really a joy reading your postings... a really interesting guy, thanks!

[aRmOn]

Pictures speak a thousand words!

Hey.. I got same problem like what you are facing. The flow rate reduced because of the external reactor but my reactor inlet are smaller than my eheim hose (16/22 - not really sure the hose sizing). But looking at your drawing do highlight to me that your reactor outlet have gap from its base. Maybe a modification for my reactor outlet may help my 2028 flow rate.

[Aeon]

My reactor inlet and outlet are smaller than my filter hose also, I just use the adapter supplied. Try to reduce number and length of bottlenecks as much as possible.

[Goondoo]

I know someone who pushed it in too far and it blocked the bend inside. If you don't understand what I'm saying, just remove it first and see if the flow is back to normal.

Sometimes the external CO2 reactor acts like an airlock and prevents flow.

Ouch.........

[vinz]

Speaking of the devil...

[d2hpeter]

Before you bring it down:
- Checked for kinks in your hoses?
- Clogging in the hoses?


I almost forgot. I used to run a Pro II on a cichlid tank. Every few months or so it will stop flowing because of air buildup in the filter and hoses. It is caused by air leaking IN from the seal between the head and the canister. All I have to do is smear vaseline (came with the filter) on the O-ring and the problem is solved. Try that. If it works, get a new O-ring as a long term solution.

.

Eheim also got such quality issue ??Suppose to be the best what. Every few months? Don't scare me man. I just bought one and did not apply the vaseline as i was wondering what is in that packet and no mentioning in the manual. My old fluval 304 runs fine for one year without such problem! I expect eheim to be better!
Is this a common problem or not?

Talking about kinking...i noticed the flow suddenly slowed during the initial setup...opened the cabinet and saw the damned 'green' hose kinked!! Fluval hose is stiffened and will not have such problem. Eheim hose is esp vulnerable as the diameter gets bigger!

[d2hpeter]

Eheim also got such quality issue ??Suppose to be the best what. Every few months? Don't scare me man. I just bought one and did not apply the vaseline as i was wondering what is in that packet and no mentioning in the manual. My old fluval 304 runs fine for one year without such problem! I expect eheim to be better!
Is this a common problem or not?

Talking about kinking...i noticed the flow suddenly slowed during the initial setup...opened the cabinet and saw the damned 'green' hose kinked!! Fluval hose is stiffened and will not have such problem. Eheim hose is esp vulnerable as the diameter gets bigger!

Vinz, may i know was your Pro II a 2026 or 2028?
seems that 2026 has lots of problem. don't know about 2028. Mine is 2028.