Eheim Thermofilters

[john5748]

I have recently been given one of these filters by a friend (Eheim 2317) who has moved away and no longer keeps fish anymore and after cleaning it out and setting up it is running fine.

Does anyone have any idea how often they should be dismantled and cleaned out also how long does the internal filter pads and gravel last before it needs changing.

Sorry for all the questions but it seems that this is an old model that is no longer sold and I cannot get a manual for it anywhere, not even Eheim itself they just said why don't you buy one of our new ones instead!!

My fish and I thank you in advance for your comments.

 

[Jen]

I tried looking something up on the net, but couldnt get for that specific model. A different model said to clean the filter media every 6 months. I guess the easiest way to know when to do it is to see when it stops working as efficiently - less of a output than normal.

That would be the way I would do it.

 

[freddyk]

I highly recommend cleaning it more often. These large containers hold a ton of waste, and can go that six months before 'needing' a cleaning, but remember, waste in the filter is waste in the aquarium system. Cleaning out the mechanical waste every two or three months will keep things mint, and some might say my monthly routine is excessive.

The filter pads can be rinsed and re-used a couple of times. You can feel the walls break down with use, and that's when they should be replaced. I find they lose effect after 3 uses or so. The bio-media won't need replacing, though the lfs may try to convince you otherwise.

Sweet score by the way, it's a nice filter.

 

[Matty]

wait...so you mean that you never need to change the biological media

 

[freddyk]

Well, I don't know that I'd use the same stuff for twenty years, but it swill last years, and any clogging that happens over time can be cleaned out easily enough -this substrate is pretty much just a very porous rock.

 

[john5748]

Thanks very much for all your advice it looks as though I have landed on my feet getting this filter for nothing