Eheim Classic 2213

[moochy13]

my new eheim filter should be here later, so im using my initiative and finding out about it before it gets here. i would like to remove the internal juwel ASAP. having not seen how the media goes in the eheim, is there a way i can put the big square sponges and case of bio media into the eheim ? i want to be able to remove the juwel soon as i can.

 

[KittyKat]

Yes, external Eheim filters have baskets which you can fill with whatever you want. Generally, the only sponges one keeps long term in it are the pre-filter and polishing filter, the baskets are usually filled only with bio media.

 

[moochy13]

in the juwel is one box of biomedia, in a 'sealed' container (i say sealed, a screwdriver should solve this). that is unless i can put the box as it is in the eheim ? the filter is coming with a full compliment of new media. im guessing just using my old biomedia (with the new stuff) wouldnt be enough to keep the water good in the short term ? thinking the sponges i have hold enough of my bacteria that without them there wouldnt be enough to cope with the bioload. if you see what i mean.

maybe i can put a sponge in with each new bio compartment to help seed each bit, then take them out when the filter has caught up ? im sure this will be a lot easier when it gets here to work out, but ive got a lot of things to do to the tank when the filter gets here, so i want to be as prepared as possible to get everything done as quickly as possible.

also, i couldnt find out, but what is at the tank end of the inlet pipe to stop things getting sucked up ? is there a cage or something, or is it just an open hose ? i dont want anything to restrictive over the end as im hoping the new filter is going to clear my water of all the particales in it, and i reckon a sponge/stocking over the inlet would stop this happening.

 

[moochy13]

the filter is here, just taking it out of the box, what a well built bit of kit. no surpise to see 'made in germany' proudly on the taps

i think i got it all worked out, just not sure on the taps i got with it. 4 bits, 2 pairs. it seems to me that you connect the taps to each other, using the 'screw' bit to secure them, then obviously hose on the open ends. is this quick release tap so that when i move the filter to clean it, i dont have to remove the hose from the filter outlets themselves? so with the filter away from the tank, it will have 2 bits of hose hanging off with a tap at each end, and the tank hoses left in place with the matching bits, with the taps in effect obviously.

edit - also, is it a problem if the pipes run against/near to a radiator ? it doesnt come on very often at all, and not very hot when it does.

 

[KittyKat]

Apply a screwdriver to the container.

If it was me, I would stuff *all* the media from the Jewel into the Eheim and top up with more bio media, then gradually swap it out for what you want, over a few months.

edit - also, is it a problem if the pipes run against/near to a radiator ? it doesnt come on very often at all, and not very hot when it does.

They could melt, in theory, but the radiator would have to get quite hot for that. Along the same lines, tanks should never be anywhere near radiators which ever get anything more than lukewarm.

 

[moochy13]

i dont think i could top it up, its totally full out of the box. rings at the bottom, then a blue sponge, then little balls, then a white, then black sponge. ill bust open my biomedia and put it at the bottom with the rings, i might also cut my square juwel sponges to shape and fit them in place of the blue sponge, which i can put back later when the biomedia has matured.

oh dear my tank is in front, but above the radiator. though its also below a window that is always open. as i said, the radiator is rarely on, but just incase ill turn the heat right down as low as possible on the radiator.

 

[KittyKat]

Aye, leaving it on low should be fine.

 

[moochy13]

going to remove the carbon sponge aswell to free up a bit more room, and keep the carbon sponge for later. only problem now is i need to cut my lid to get the pipes in. unfortunately at the chnky plastic ends as oppose to the nice thin metal.

 

[KittyKat]

You're having a fun day, aren't you?

 

[moochy13]

indeed, and hopefully it wont end with a soggy carpet.

 

[fluttermoth]

indeed, and hopefully it wont end with a soggy carpet.

lol; best of luck; I can't seem to do anything in my tanks except feed without getting soggy carpets...

 

[KittyKat]

I don't have carpets, for a good reason.

 

[moochy13]

well, i got a mouthfull of tank water and a soggy carpet.

i'll let you guess what i was doing

well its all up and running now, hopefully the old biomedia i added and the generous drizzling/rubbing of old sponges on new media will help keep things in check, at least to the point where i can test everyday and change water if need be until the filter has fully matured. tank looks much better now, though my mish mash tank/hood combo means i cant have it exactly how i wanted it, but its definitely a better set up now.

also, a few months ago a red eye tetra mysteriously vanished, i assumed eaten. i just found a very crispy tetra behind the tank on the floor

 

[moochy13]

right one more question

can i pull the plug out if need be, not touch anything else, then plug it back in and it all works fine ?

second question

when i remove the filter for cleaning, i will obviously turn all the taps off and remove it. when putting it back in, will i have to 'prime' it again like when i started it ?

third question

if i turn all the taps off, disconnect the hoses but DONT empty the filter, can i hook it all back up and carry on ?

also just realised my only mistake - i should have put the media in bags i think. what sort of net bags do you use ?

 

[KittyKat]

can i pull the plug out if need be, not touch anything else, then plug it back in and it all works fine ?

Yes.

when i remove the filter for cleaning, i will obviously turn all the taps off and remove it. when putting it back in, will i have to 'prime' it again like when i started it ?

As long as the filter is almost completely full of water and the pipes also are full of water, it shouldn't need priming, but just to be sure, open the outlet tap first (if you have separate taps).

if i turn all the taps off, disconnect the hoses but DONT empty the filter, can i hook it all back up and carry on ?

..yes, try to not empty the pipes though. Did you just ask the same thing three times?

also just realised my only mistake - i should have put the media in bags i think. what sort of net bags do you use ?

I don't use any bags for the media.