Proud owner of an Eheim 2213

[nickmcmechan]

Today I bought a brand spanking new Eheim 2213 external cannister filter.

I have to admit I'm an external newbie, I've always used mostly undergravel and recently internal power filters.

Here's my external newbie questions I'm hoping someone can help with.

1. My spray bar is above the water line, it looks like snow is falling through the water. Its Oxygen bubbles, but pretty cool. Can I have the spraybar in line with the water's surface or below. What is the best option and why?

2. I have several layers of filtration in the cannister. The bottom is cermamic rings, then a blue coarse pad, then brown balls, then a finer white sponge pad finished off by a charcoal pad. How often should each of these be cleaned out? Should some be cleaned more than others?

3. The intructions recommend that the carbon filter pad be removed after two weeks. Any thoughts on this?

4. how often will this clog up if I leave it alone, i.e. how durable is this filter. I have an extremely heavily planted 96l???

5. whats the pros and cons of this filter / make, i.e. what should I watch out for that might catch me out?

6. are there alternative types and mixes of media arrangements. What are they and should I consider changing at any stage?

Sorry for all the long questions, hop someone will help out! (I'm excited about my new filter!!!!)

Thanks.

:joe: :joe: :joe: :joe: :joe: :joe:

[nickmcmechan]

And probably should have said, dont feel have to answer all these questions, but if you have an answer or opinion on any one, feel free to chip in with what you've got!

[nickmcmechan]

Sorry guys,

You can guess got carried away with my new toy.

So, first thing I want to know is should the spray bar output be above, below or in line with water surface?

[DarkSoul]

depends on what your wanting to do.... using CO2 you wont want the spray bar above the waterline because it will create surface agitation causing you to lose CO2.

Im going to keep mine below the water line, But I will have a high water line anyway.

[nickmcmechan]

Cool, does it affect flow below the water line, I do use CO2.

[Ulan]

Just experiment a bit. You can point the spraybar wherever you want. Most people who want to keep water agitation down have the spraybar mounted one inch below the water surface, with the openings pointing upwards at an angle against the back wall.

[Peg_legs]

I have my spraybar underwater to keep it quiet. It points straight out from the wall.

[reybie]

Check out this article... pretty good stuff.

http://rexgrigg.com/Eheim%20Classic%20Canister%20instructions.htm

I have my spraybar below the water line and pointed down at an angle towards the backwall. I have a small powerhead for surface agitation.

[Squawkbert]

Spraybar wherever, in whatever orientation, so you have good circulation all over tank.

To clean elements thoroughly, just rinse them in tank water - generally ~every 3 months, or whenever you notice flow dropping off a little.
Inbetween major cleanings, you can lift the top, point the inlet downward into a sink and pour a bucket of tank water into the top to back wash it (gets at least half the junk out w/o un/repacking it).

C-pad out in 2 weeks. Keep it should you ever need it to helo rid tank of meds. If tank is already established, you might skip C-pad.

After doing my 1st major cleaning, I put a couple of nylon pot scrubbers in the bottom to "snug" things up a bit (I have the 2215).

Do read Rex's site. There are infinite media options. The only "rule" is go coarse>fine.