Eheim Pro II water leak from top seal

[jmottle]

I have an EHEIM Pro II that is about 4-5 years old. Lately if the power goes out the back pressure from the tank seems to force water out of the filter where the motor mounts to the filter media box. Do I need a new gasket or is there something else wrong?

Cheers,
Jeff

[Star_Rider]

check the seals you may need to replace one

[jmottle]

Thanks. I'll try that out.

Does anyone know of any online dealers of EHEIM parts that will ship to Canada? I live in Calgary.

[Star_Rider]

have you tried contacting the mfg directly?

or


http://www.eheimparts.com/client/homepage.aspx

[dudley]

The Eheim II Pro filters can have an issue with the primer button o-ring. Eheim does not sell this part. Go to this site www.atomicrice.com (http://www.atomicrice.com) as they sell the o-ring and also have very good photos explaining how to disassemble the filter motor housing to make the repair. I have purchased from them and am very pleased with the results of my repair. My filter no longer leaks when the power shuts off.

[jmottle]

The Eheim II Pro filters can have an issue with the primer button o-ring. Eheim does not sell this part. Go to this site www.atomicrice.com (http://www.atomicrice.com) as they sell the o-ring and also have very good photos explaining how to disassemble the filter motor housing to make the repair. I have purchased from them and am very pleased with the results of my repair. My filter no longer leaks when the power shuts off.

Interesting. Where did your filter leak when power was disconnected? At the primer button or at the connection between the top motor assembly to the media cannister?

[dudley]

Where the cord comes out of the top motor assembly. What happens is the o-ring for the primer button allows water to pass by it and travel up to the cavity the motor housing sits in. Then that cavity fills with water and runs down the side of the canister.

[jmottle]

I ordered that primer o-ring as well as the main o-ring for the top assembly.

I was wondering what you guys would recommend for added protection against future flooding should the o-ring fail again. I was thinking of the following:

1. UPS Battery backup for the filter
2. Drain pan below the filter (should it drain while on vacation)
3. Normally closed solenoid valve on the intake line to the filter, perhaps on the output too?

Any other precautions?

Cheers,
Jeff

[dudley]

I have mine sitting in a plastic kitty litter pan. I have unplugged it but left the shut off valve open and it still hasn't leaked. I'm satisfied with the repair but it shall remain in the pan for the rest of its life.

[yourchoice]

I bought two Pros used.After 2 years they did similar things you described.Changed the gaskets and that fixed the problem.

[TwoTankAmin]

It is the main head gasket. I have a pair of 2026s I have run for years. The gaskets do not last much over a few of years. How long will vary from filter to filter.

You have two choices. You can replace the gasket when needed- currently about $15 plus any shipping. Or you can use a stopgap measure that works for maint. When you need to unplug the filter. Simply use the lever that shuts off the hoses before you unplug the filter.

This wont help with power outages. I know because I had two floods before I figured it all out. One interesting note. I called Eheim America and spoke with them about this. I was told not to keep a spare gasket on the shelf for more than several months as they tend to degrade over time when not in use.

My hope is Eheim will change the material they use for the gaskets for something more durable. Aside from this issue, these are really great filters.