Seachems Matrix

[welshviking]

Hi, I have a 472L freshwater aquarium and i am still having the odd spike in ammonia and nitrate, i have noticed in my Eheim 2075 external filter the bottom 2 trays contain them little black plastic tubes, would it be a good idea to remove one tray of them tubes and replace them with Seachems Matrix 1L as it may stabilise my stats a bit more

http/www.aquariumonline.co.uk/aquarium_filtration_and_media/filter_media/seachem/seachem_matrix_1000ml_P1374.html

 

[thereverendturtle]

I would do it myself, as the matrix has way more surface area for bacteria to colonize.

 

[welshviking]

Sorry for delay in replying to this thread but i put the Seachems matrix in the bottom 2 trays of my Eheim 2075 and all was good. The last week though i am suffering from a lot of Green algae and when i looked at my flow rate it was very poor. I just stripped the filter and checked all was ok (it was) and then i removed the new media out of the bottom 2 trays and left the bottom 2 trays empty and tried again but still very poor flow. What else can this be as when i first purchased the Eheim 2075 the flow rate was very good and now it is probably about 60% down. I have checked the valves and they are fine, the impeller is clean and turning as it should do and too be honest i am at a complete and utter loss and have not got a clue what to do next. With this flow rate its only a matter of time before i start losing fish.....HELP !!!!

 

[balajake]

I would just do water changes and add prime to control the ammonia and nitrite. Take it out if its messing with the flow

 

[welshviking]

I would just do water changes and add prime to control the ammonia and nitrite. Take it out if its messing with the flow

 
Thanks for the reply, i did actually take it out as i thought it was affecting the flow making it low but the flow was still very poor. The question is why is my flow so poor, i have checked the filter, pipes, spraybar , valves etc etc , the flow is very poor compaired to when i first set it up.....Thanks Colin

 

[balajake]

The amount of media you have will slow down the flow. I don't have ehiems so I couldn't tell you what the problem is if it isn't too much media. You could try taking a little out and see it it speeds up

 

[welshviking]

Ok i emptied all the 5 baskets and just put the empty baskets in just to test the flow rate. It was exactly the same, so i have put all the media back into the filter. Something has happened to this Eheim 2075 filter but what i do not know its just like it has lost its power if that is possible.
 
Just to recap on things i have checked to save anyone asking me.....
 
Took all media out and put the empty baskets in...flow rate still the same and poor,
Checked and cleaned impeller...seems to working as it should do,
Checked the green pipes and cleaned them,
Checked both inlet pipe and spraybar...no obstructions and clean.
Checked for any leaks or air bubbles...no leaks and no bubbles in pipes.
 
So what i do now is anyones guess, i have done a partial water change and added prime but as for the filter flow loss i am stumped !!!!

 

[balajake]

Get in touch with eheim and see if they have a solution. If its still in warranty they may replace it or the part that's failing

 

[welshviking]

Get in touch with eheim and see if they have a solution. If its still in warranty they may replace it or the part that's failing

 
Thanks for the replies they are very much appreciated, yes an Email to Eheim is next thing on the list. I think it is under warranty as i believe it is about 18 months old as i got it with the 2nd hand tank i bought.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

May I ask how you are measuring the flow rates with different loadings?
 
Also, Eheim knows about bacterial colonies and flow rates. If you look at their suggested tank sizes and flow rate for their canister filters, the flow rates will but significantly lower than for most other filters. The reason is they know that more media space is more important than higher flow rate and that the best way to have large healthy colonies relates to the dwell time of the water with the bacteria. If you want to get the most to the bacteria, then you want the water to move slowly. A longer contact time is much more effective than a faster turnover rate. And more media and a slower turnover rate is the optimal configuration.
 
Your filter should push 330 gph. That is not what one would describe as a high flow rate for a big tank. At 330 gph it should take just under a minute to fill a 5 gal bucket (60 seconds = 5.5 gals). But that is if the filter is empty and not pushing against much head.
 
I am a big fan of Eheim and consider them to make some of the better filters etc. out there, and they are priced accordingly. I run a couple of 2026s, one Liberty 200 and use one of their Hobby pumps. The canisters are running for over a decade, the pump for close to that and the Liberty if the baby of the bunch at 3 years.  my point is that Eheim is smart enough not to underflow a filter such that it results in issues.

 

[balajake]

May I ask how you are measuring the flow rates with different loadings?
 
Also, Eheim knows about bacterial colonies and flow rates. If you look at their suggested tank sizes and flow rate for their canister filters, the flow rates will but significantly lower than for most other filters. The reason is they know that more media space is more important than higher flow rate and that the best way to have large healthy colonies relates to the dwell time of the water with the bacteria. If you want to get the most to the bacteria, then you want the water to move slowly. A longer contact time is much more effective than a faster turnover rate. And more media and a slower turnover rate is the optimal configuration.
 
Your filter should push 330 gph. That is not what one would describe as a high flow rate for a big tank. At 330 gph it should take just under a minute to fill a 5 gal bucket (60 seconds = 5.5 gals). But that is if the filter is empty and not pushing against much head.
 
I am a big fan of Eheim and consider them to make some of the better filters etc. out there, and they are priced accordingly. I run a couple of 2026s, one Liberty 200 and use one of their Hobby pumps. The canisters are running for over a decade, the pump for close to that and the Liberty if the baby of the bunch at 3 years.  my point is that Eheim is smart enough not to underflow a filter such that it results in issues.

Wouldn't the flow always have been the same though ? He has noticed a significant reduction in flow over the time he has had it so it suggests there may be a fault if its a massive difference.