Eheim External Filter

[sepulvedamorris]

Hi i have a eheim professional 2224 external filter, which i noticed about 3 weeks ago the flow was very slow so i checked the pipes and the pipes were full with a horrible white/brown gunk which i cleaned the filter and pipes and the flow returned to normal 3 weeks later and it is back again, i have a 200 litre tank with this and a aqua one cf 1000 (this one doesn't have this problem) running so i have good filtration, i have 10 juvenile malawi cichlids in at the mo phoned numerous places and no one has ever come across this so any help would be appreciated cheers

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons is the tank.
What are your water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.
How often do you maintain the tank, preform a gravel vac.
How old is the filter?

Have you cleaned the impellor.
Do you use filter floss or matting.
You need to clean the pipes again.

 

[sepulvedamorris]

Hi thank's for the reply, it's a 200 litre tank which i think is about 45 gallon? ammonia 0, nitrite 0 but nitrate is about 80ppm but i have a very high nitrate level in my tap water, ph is at 8.0, i do as advised when i started my tank to do a 25-30% water change each week, and i hve a powered gravel vac so i give that a clean at the same time i cleaned all the pipes and impellor today but it is only the pipes that are quite bad.in it at the mo is filter floss cheers

 

[filterman]

Hi there,

I've had this type of problem before. It can be caused by benificial bacteria colonising the hoses in the same way as in biological filter or when high nitrate causes algal type growth in areas where algae-eating fish can't browse. If your tank is fairly new, the problem might fade away with time as the bateria colonise alternative areas so don't over-clean algae and bacteria from the decor, back or sides of the tank for now. If it turns out to be algal you can wrap your hoses in an opaque material to keep out the light such as strips of black bin liner plastic with electrical insulating tape around it but I think it's benefical bacteria. As they build up,the flow drops and this helps them to multiply which further reduces the bore causing a vicious cycle. You probaly want to reduce feeding as even an excess of veggie food adds to nitrate levels big time! I also use low phosphate foods.

If your tapwater is really that high in nitrate should you be drinking it?

 

[raptorrex]

Hi there,

I've had this type of problem before. It can be caused by benificial bacteria colonising the hoses in the same way as in biological filter or when high nitrate causes algal type growth in areas where algae-eating fish can't browse. If your tank is fairly new, the problem might fade away with time as the bateria colonise alternative areas so don't over-clean algae and bacteria from the decor, back or sides of the tank for now. If it turns out to be algal you can wrap your hoses in an opaque material to keep out the light such as strips of black bin liner plastic with electrical insulating tape around it but I think it's benefical bacteria. As they build up,the flow drops and this helps them to multiply which further reduces the bore causing a vicious cycle. You probaly want to reduce feeding as even an excess of veggie food adds to nitrate levels big time! I also use low phosphate foods.

If your tapwater is really that high in nitrate should you be drinking it?

I have a, differing solution, but have the same conclusions. the pipes are infected, replace them. simple, and works every time.

 

[sepulvedamorris]

Hi thank's for the info, the nitrate levels in my tap water are at 80ppm according to my test kit, i have read numerous things about nitrate levels some say they can damage fishes immune systems, and my pet shop said about 40ppm is ok? is it worth me buying something like nitra-zorb to put in my filters? also can i ask should i be putting activated carbon in my filters? cause i have malawis and i read somewhere that it will lower the ph? i have changed my pipes but i have bought a proper eheim pipe cleaner, at least i have some sort of idea whats going on now so thank's for all your help

 

[WILDER]

What's your location as in the uk your nitrates shouldn't be that high in tap water. You can report the water company.


Black carbon only good for removing meds. it a complete waste of money to use it all the time.
Black carbon shouldn't alter your ph.

 

[sepulvedamorris]

I'm in craven arms, shropshire, the water tastes horrible round here too, thank's for all the info

 

[filterman]

I'm in craven arms, shropshire, the water tastes horrible round here too, thank's for all the info

I know that you are a keen fishkeeper but you need to get your drinking water sorted first, especially if any babies or children are drinking it. If you are in any doubt about the recommended EC limit, check out the internet but my understanding is that the absolute maximum for human consumption should be 50mg/litre and you really want it much lower!