problem setting up eheim 2211

**kennyseah17** · 8th Jul 2010, 02:19

have you tried putting the filter below your tank level??

not sure if thats the problem??

**Jimmy** · 8th Jul 2010, 08:46

Originally Posted by kennyseah17

have you tried putting the filter below your tank level??

not sure if thats the problem??

unlikely. i'm running mine side by side with no issue at all.

just bring it down to C328 and let them advice instead because sometimes we are not playing with it physically, so it is difficult to troubleshoot too.

**Shadow** · 8th Jul 2010, 09:56

I guess you need to bring it back to the shop.

**bigbrownmonster** · 8th Jul 2010, 15:03

think this will be my last post on my final attempt to work the 2211.

i tried the following but its still NOT possible to get it to work:

1. i'd tried putting the top mechanism above a bucket of water again, with the impeller touching the water surface. turned the motor on and it does not draw water at all through its outlet pipe
2. i'd set it up in its 'ideal' state. ie canister being really much lower than tank.
3. i'd filled up the empty canister with water, held it higher than the tank, opened the outlet tap so that water in the canister flows out through the inlet, driving out the air before closing both the inlet n outlet tap.
4. i'd topped up the water in the canister, closed it...making sure that there's overflow when i close it.
5. i'd opened the inlet tap, lowered the outlet pipe to under the level of the tank and opened the outlet tap to let water siphon out from outlet pipe, clearing any air on the outlet end. then i closed the outlet tap
6. i installed the spray bar onto the outlet pipe
7. i turned on the filter and opened all the rest of taps
8. then i get the motor rattling and see the water in the outlet pipe reach slightly above the water level in the tank before stopping.
9. i tilted, turned it upside down, and laid the canister horizontally...switching the filter on and off occasionally...but nothing seems to be able to push the water beyond that level.
10. i'd even switch the pipes around (ie connecting inlet tap to outlet tap and vice versa) but no luck.

here're the pictures:

empty canister filled with water

last checks on impeller

the 'ideal' setup recommended by eheim (below tank)

the water level at outlet pipe...there is simply no movement at all.

i think after 3 days...i'm throwing in the towel.

**Shadow** · 8th Jul 2010, 16:34

try turn the impeller magnet, by right the plastic blade will also turn. I had experience with other brand that the magnet turn lose. I mean the blade will not turn even though the magnet is turning.

**rafimo** · 8th Jul 2010, 16:55

from the picture look like the impeller fin-side hole( a little wide). try turning the ceramic shaft should be synch with the fin. broken impeller will also cause loud rattling sound.

**bigbrownmonster** · 8th Jul 2010, 19:06

hi shadow n rafimo:
the impeller dun seem to be broken.
however the grey blade piece and it's white inner piece can be turned 180' independently of the greyish magnetic piece. i suppose the impeller is also suppose to 'float' somewhat within the hole. when i turned it on w/o water it makes the same rattling noise.

**bigbrownmonster** · 9th Jul 2010, 01:52

hey thanks guys for all your support and advice!
i did 1 last try a few hours back...sadly again with the same results.

1. i'd removed the taps, shortened the pipes in both inlet n outlet.

2. i'd put back the original crappy top trickle filter (the black box) that came with the tank just to make sure the tank folks survive another experiment.
3. i'd then connected a submersible pump to the inlet & outlet pipes on separate occasions to make sure that i got the canister and all pipes filled
4. i'd still managed a trickle...despite leaving it on for over 2 hours...hoping that the situation will improve. but a slight change in the position of the outlet pipe caused the flow to stop.

looks like i've exhausted all possibilities......guess i've to bring it back to the shop

**bigbrownmonster** · 11th Jul 2010, 22:29

an update on the situation:

yes it's been fixed!! a very big thank you to forummer who'd taken this morning off to come by and help me trouble shoot.
it was a manufacturing defect in my impeller. the blade core piece was loose and had not been adhered to the magnetic shaft piece.
that probably caused it to rattle loudly and turn inconsistently, hence unable to draw water to the outlet.
so once we worked around that, the 2211 worked like it should. quiet, with a very slight hum but all good!
i had a scare later when it failed to power up though but after a few minor shakes and some 10 seconds, it started running again (phew).
i hope it's not going to recur but for now i'm not turning it off for a while.......

so here's how it looks......beside my 30l. it does work sitting on the same level as the tank. and i'd all the taps and pipes tucked behind the tank.
i find that the taps are a good-to-have (easy for maintenance etc etc) but not really essential for a nanotank setup.

lastly, i just wanna say thanks to everyone who'd chipped in their solutions!

**Jimmy** · 12th Jul 2010, 08:20

glad to hear that!

**bigbrownmonster** · 12th Jul 2010, 21:15

thought i'd just share with you guys the solution to my problem.
hopefully it'd help anyone else who may face the same issue in the future.
4785950055_9ed95f8b67_b.jpg