Need advice on Eheim aquaball

[redryder]

Hi all,

I have an aquaball with 3 sections - like this picture except that I added one more at the bottom with volcanic stones for biofiltration.



My problem is that the flow-rate drops greatly every 2 weeks and I need to clean out the fine filter pad - 7444138 (in the pic) before getting it back to normal. Strangely enough, the large sponge (2618060) doesn't seem dirty at all when I open up the filter. Its as if the fine filter pad is doing all the work and getting clogged up every 2 weeks. Is this normal?

Should I remove the fine filter pad completely? My tank is a planted 10 gallon tank, with 3 guppies, 9 tetras, 1 small clown loach and 2 small plecos. I feed the fish sparingly and always scoop out uneaten food. However, as soon as the flow-rate slows down a layer of oil forms on the water surface.

[zapbranigan]

I think that is where you put in the blue coarse foam.

The filter holder clip is mounted on the pane with suction holders. Then the filter is inserted into it. The media box is located directly under the rotating pump head (except Powerhead and 2006). It can be filled with a filter pad for fine filtration, a foam filter pad for biological filtration or with substrat pro. Included in the packing is the blue foam filter pad. The filter modules with the phenol free filter sponges are located below it (the volume can be increased later by purchasing an expansion set).

http://www.eheim.com/base/eheim/inha...ail_27481_ehen