Issues with self priming on Eheim Pro II 2026/2028 filters

[boonpeiu]

Eheim Pro II 2028 should be a very commonly used filter, I know many of the bro & Sis here used them. Need some advice as I have just own one.

I brought a 2nd hand 2028 still with more then a year warrenty, if it is faulty I can send in for repair. This filter should have a self-priming feature, after setting up I had press the priming button (big knob on top) for more than 10 times, but water still don't flow. End up I filled the cannister with tank water manually, just like I do for Eheim 2222.

The filter pass thru a chiller then go back to tank. I notice when I prime the filter, air bubbles came out from the inlet in the tank. Could the chiller or substrate basket seating cause a problem?

[blackhen]

Hi, I am using a 2028 myself. From my experience with the filter, the priming feature don't work very efficiently. I usually have to pump water in thru the inlet manually either using a powerhead.

To start the filter, if the outlet is connected to other devices, the start up out flow will be affected. The best is to start the filter flow first, then off the filter, do not allow the water inside the cannister to run dry. Connect the out flow to the the devices, eg chiller., then on the filter again.

hope you understand what I am trying to say.

cheers

[stephen chung]

Mine also don't work too well. Maybe because I did not put the rubber ring for the tray.

[boonpeiu]

Thanks blackhen & Stephen, so it is normal for me struggle & turning my room into a "swimming pool" last night.

[blackhen]

Yeah, my living room became a swamp on at least 2 occasions before. Nowadays, i will not touch the inlet pipe when washing the cannister. Always have the inlet pipe filled with water. Even when changing water, I simply off the filter and make sure I do not drain tank water below the inlet pipe lowermost lever to prevent the water from flowing out.

[ehlim]

I too face the same problem in trying to prime the 2028. Is the self-priming feature affected by air in the inlet tube, ie, air-lock? I have to resort to using the gravel cleaner pump to prime the canister.

[blackhen]

I too face the same problem in trying to prime the 2028. Is the self-priming feature affected by air in the inlet tube, ie, air-lock? I have to resort to using the gravel cleaner pump to prime the canister.

Haha, I did the gravel cleaner pump technique also. Guess i am not alone.

[boonpeiu]

Haha, I did the gravel cleaner pump technique also. Guess i am not alone.

What is gravel cleaner pump? How it look like? Ex anot?
Very "Mt tortoise" ..

[BFG]

I had given up using the priming function when I still had my 3ft setup. What I do now for every canister filter setup is to attach the Installation Set 1. Connect this between the tank and the canister filter. Everytime you need to prime the canister filter, open the knob, fill the inlet part of the hose full with water until the filter is full, close the knob and start the canister filter. Voila, no need for me to struggle in the cabinet pressing the priming function. The filter will start syphoning and normal function is achieved. My 2ft shrimp tank is still using the Installation Set 1 and is connected to my 2222, which has no priming function.

Just want to make my setup easily accessible and simple. Hope this helps!

[Aquaculture]

Seems like its a common problem. I too am facing this. Manually fill the canister and pour water down the inlet pipe so that the motor needn't work so hard during the initial stage... kindda caveman method.

[minx]

What I'll do these days after all the frustating hours of trying to prime the canister filters are to fit all parts in proper order, then get myself a powerhead, attach it to the filter inlet in the tank, turn it on and voila!
Works each and every time.

[cheetf]

Just curious, do you use the primer with totally no water in the canister? I found that the primer works fine for me. What I normally do is fill the canister with water as much as it can take. Then prime it with the primer. Normally when I prime it bubbles will be coming out of the intake end. Then when I feel that there loop is fairly filled with water I start the filter. If it fails to flow I just normally tilt the filter sideways and slowly upright it.

[fi5hkiller]

What I learnt, priming works better if you fill up the cannister with water to the rim before shutting the lid, turn on the power then the priming works like magic.. the priming basically works to clear up the air in the tube especially for those with long and lengthy tube setup.

[boonpeiu]

Just curious, do you use the primer with totally no water in the canister? I found that the primer works fine for me. What I normally do is fill the canister with water as much as it can take. Then prime it with the primer. Normally when I prime it bubbles will be coming out of the intake end. Then when I feel that there loop is fairly filled with water I start the filter. If it fails to flow I just normally tilt the filter sideways and slowly upright it.

My Eheim Ecco 2232 allow me to start priming from empty canister!
I thought the priming support allow a empty canister to be filled with water by itself. Seem like I am wrong base on the prime function in 2028 which I understand from you guy here. Thanks all for helping me to understand this filter.

[s1c1lee]

I have 2 2028s. One is for my tank on the ground. As the water level is lower than the 2028, priming it is a challenge. I fill it up as much as I can before putting back the top. Then I raise the water inlet and fill it till water flows out the outlet. Usually I have to get my son's help to do this.

My second 2028 is below my 4x2x2. As other members have mentioned, fill up the 2028 to the brim. Then priming it becomes easier. During the initial priming bubbles will come out of the inlet tube. I do this 3-5 times before water fills up most of the inlet. Then I stop priming and turn on the power.

SC

[FireSpitter]

Agreed that the 2028 is a pain to operate. The classic 221X series was so much easier to use with the valve controller. The powerhead method as listed by the helpful bros here is probably the easiest way to get the 2028 started.

[benny]

If you read the instruction manual provided, the filter is suppose to operate under certain conditions, including being about 1.2m below the water level. If you meet this criteria, then I'm very sure you will not have any problems with the self priming features. Remember that the self priming feature relies on the principle of gravity to operate efficiently. The 'big button' is nothing more than a pump to get the water over the 'n' bent of the inlet tube. It has to be push more than once on some occasions. And even when that happens, you have to wait till the water is fully in before you turn on the filter.

I have many Eheim Pro II 2026/2028 cannister filters and have not had any problems with the said feature at all.

For those of you with trouble due to the position/placement of the filter, do consider the Installation sets from Eheim to make your life easier. It's an inlet set with a escape valve that allows you to just pour water in. Check it out and make sure you get the 16/22mm hose size version.

Cheers,

[smk]

Hi,

I have the same problem. I realise it will help if the outlet pipe is 'out' of water before you on the 'valve' to fill your empty canister.
Else, water will flow in from the outlet and air in canister flow out from inlet resulting in air trapped in the pipe. (you will see bubble coming out from inlet)

With air inside (n-bend) the inlet pipe, I have problem starting or priming.

mk

[gpmg762]

lift the outlet above water level makes it easier to prime.

[boonpeiu]

My outlet go into chiller before return to the tank. Can I lift the chiller outlet above water level then prime? Is it the same?