Eheim Ecco problem

**altochromis** · 19th May 2010, 07:36

Hi,

I'm quite new to the hobby. I've just upgraded from a 2ft to a 3ft tropical tank.

I've got a 2nd hand eheim ecco pro 2036 (some time called ecco pro 300). This is the first external filter I've owned/used so don't know much about them.

After priming and switching on the filter, there was a rattling noise that kept on going for 2 mins, after which I turned the filter off. Also the flow rate was REALLY REALLY slow.

I know its the impeller magnet that's making the noise because I took the top bit/power head off the filter, floated it in a bucket of water and turned it on.

So my question is whether there is a way to fix this problem without having to buy a replacement magnet?

The filter media itself is old and really dirty but I've cleaned the power head.

This is my first post so hello to all!

Thanks in advance!

**dreamseeker** · 19th May 2010, 10:08

Hi,

I think after priming and you still hear the rattling sound, most likely there is still air in the pipes.

Try disconnecting both the pipes and fill up the pipes with water to expel the air. You can do this by lifting the pipe as high as possible and open the valve then pour water into the pipes. Then connect it back to the filter before turning it on again.

**Cross** · 19th May 2010, 12:51

haha welcome to aq~

Ecco series should not have the rattling noise if it is primed. My guess is the impellor is due for a change, or it may be cracked.

**herns** · 19th May 2010, 13:03

After priming and switching on the filter, there was a rattling noise that kept on going for 2 mins,

This problem always happen to my Ecco 2234.

My 2234 intake is connected to a surface skimmer and every time the water surface level gets low, the canister gets a lot of air and eventually the rattling noise will come until there is no water coming from the intake.

I would just open the canister and fill it with water to the brim and connect it back. The rattling would just go away.

**altochromis** · 19th May 2010, 14:30

Thank you all for your helpful and quick responses.

So here's what I did:

Took out all media & baskets from the filter all that was left was the power head and cylinder.

Primed it up to build suction. Then shut off both valves.

'Unplugged' the 'in' tube, turned valve which made the tube act like a syphon. Syphon enough water to make sure no air bubbles were present. Turned it off and kept it under water. Then reconnected it back.

Unplugged the 'out' tube. Turned the 'in' on and let the water fill the canister so it was coming out the other end, thus making sure it was full and no air was present. Did the syphoning above with out tube to make sure no air was present.

So everything's connected now, both tubes are underwater and both valves are off.

I turned the pump on at the mains and turned both tubes on and... voilà!

Or so I'd hoped. The haunting clackety-clack noise is still there, so maybe the impeller's gone. But the guy I bought this off said the pump's just over a year old so I'm not sure if I'm completely convinced... And I don't think he was lying because it looks pretty new.

Thank you all very much again!

**BFG** · 19th May 2010, 19:32

Tilt the canister filter while it is running. This would remove any air inside the canister.

**herns** · 20th May 2010, 09:38

Originally Posted by altochromis

Thank you all for your helpful and quick responses.

So here's what I did:

Took out all media & baskets from the filter all that was left was the power head and cylinder.

Primed it up to build suction. Then shut off both valves.

'Unplugged' the 'in' tube, turned valve which made the tube act like a syphon. Syphon enough water to make sure no air bubbles were present. Turned it off and kept it under water. Then reconnected it back.

Unplugged the 'out' tube. Turned the 'in' on and let the water fill the canister so it was coming out the other end, thus making sure it was full and no air was present. Did the syphoning above with out tube to make sure no air was present.

So everything's connected now, both tubes are underwater and both valves are off.

I turned the pump on at the mains and turned both tubes on and... voilà!

Or so I'd hoped. The haunting clackety-clack noise is still there, so maybe the impeller's gone. But the guy I bought this off said the pump's just over a year old so I'm not sure if I'm completely convinced... And I don't think he was lying because it looks pretty new.

Thank you all very much again!

Have you replace your white filter pad? Ecco should not have that 'hard to fix' thing unless something is mechanically broken.

Im 70% sure, but, check Ecco's impeller. I think it was broken.
Let us know what you find.

**vinz** · 20th May 2010, 10:17

It should not be that difficult to prime it properly.

Go to the Eheim website and get the manual for the filter... then do a check on the parts list. Pay particular attention to the parts within the filter housing, like the rubber 'shoes' for the impeller's ceramic axel, and the rubber ball that is suppose to prevent backflow.

**altochromis** · 21st May 2010, 00:08

It's alive!

Finally got it working. Emptied everything out and primed it again, like it said in the online manual and its working! Albeit without any media. But the impeller and everything else was fine. I think I was being particularly 'special' when trying to prime it in the first place - d'uh!

Just need to get new media and start cycling! Horrah!

Thanks for all your help!