Reduced Flowrate of External Filter

[xXXXx13]

Hi, as the title stated, my ehiem pro3 350 flowrate seemed to be reduced when I turned to the maximum outflow rate. The flowrate now seems to be like when its in the mid range.

The filter was bought somewhere in Mar this year. Initial setup I'm able to get the maximum outflow but this 2 weeks its greatly reduced. I'd just cleaned the filter yesterday. Worst...realised that I could not find the guarantee...

What can be the problems? Help help.

[blurless]

Check the inlet for clogging? Your tank planted tank?

[xXXXx13]

Dod you mean at the inlet piping or inlet at the canister? Both sides were cleaned. Tank is 4ft considered moderately planted.

[felix_fx2]

Have you change the filter wool?

[xXXXx13]

Nope. Didn't change, looks clean to me.

[xXXXx13]

Just to add on. When i tilted the canister (either way), water sipped out from between the canister and the cover. Is this the cause for the dropped in flowrate?

[Yulbrainer]

Nope. Didn't change, looks clean to me.

Felix mean that you should clean it. I will said that you can try to remove the filter wool and see if that help.
Basically all the things before going to filter has to be without any clog/blockage.

[xXXXx13]

I see...will give it a try. Thank you for the advise and clarification.

[xXXXx13]

Tried removing the filter wool/ sponge at the top and I got back the flowrate. Washed the filter wool/sponge clean but after a few hours, the flowrate reduced again...haiz...time to get new filter?

[felix_fx2]

Time to buy replacement pad
Think your's becoming too mushy, my 2213 have same thing too but luckily it works my benefit.

You can try sun drying the filter pad after washing it white.

[xXXXx13]

Haiz...didn't know that the original filter sponge needs to be change so fast. Its used last than 5months and don't look mushy.

[dc88]

I ran into same problem last week. My Ehiem 2213 just 3mths old, got noisier by the days, and finally deprime itself.
Took me whole day trouble shooting. Took apart the impeller, clean and reassemble, remove all the filter media, clean the tubing and valves connecting to the canister, all no use - water is flowing very slow and hardly any suction, and the pump is extremely noisy.
Finally found the root of the problem: the inlet U shape pipe right at the elbow section got blocked by lots of debris - the part I least suspected. After clearing this, the canister is running so smooth I hardly can hear it.
Lesson learnt: when noisy pump & poor flow, check inlet first.

[xXXXx13]

I think i'm going to do more troubleshooting first before the next actions to be taken. Hopefully my back can take it

[xXXXx13]

Hi all, thank you for all the advices. Did a thorough troubleshooting and realised that there's a filter wool in the second tray, took it out and did a thorough rinsing (with tank water of cos) and wah lah...it's as good as new.