Filter in a Frenzy!!!

[Obsidius]

I have been operating with an Eheim 2213 (with very few problems) but as I write this, it's making that awful grinding noise, as though the siphon is failing and the engine is failing.

It has been working fine, and this is coming on out of nowhere! I've checked the inside, blown through the pipes and everything; it's only pushing about half of its regular water intake through, and the grind is escalating! :( I have it shut off now, but what the heck do I do!?!?

:huh:

[WeedCali]

pull out the impeller and clean out the magnetic area on the inside as well. add a tiny bit of vaseline to the shaft and you should be ok.

Be sure to post the details.

[Obsidius]

I-I've never done that before!
Is the impeller easy to get off the bottom?

[WeedCali]

if you take off the motor from the filter you should be able to see it and it just pulls right out. all thats holding it in is magnetic force.

But ive never owned a canister filter so im basing this off of my general knowledge of how filters work.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

[dinosue]

The impeller is inside the top lid. If you have the 2213 manual, it shows how to take out the impeller (if you don't, go to eheim website and download one). I had a similar problem and when I opened mine, the ceramic impeller shaft was broken in half. After replacing it with a new one (you can buy one from ebay), I never had the problem again.

[Obsidius]

I didn't have a manual, but I got the job done just the same. Cleaned all the gunk off, then added a thin coat of Vaseline.

The problem remained when I plugged the unit back in. :(

[BettaFishMommy]

the impeller shaft may be bent and it is causing the impeller to rub against the sides of the hole it is in. i'd get a new impeller.

[mel_20_20]

Do you have a backup filter going on the tank? If not, do you have a spare HOB that you use for hospital or quarantine that you could hang on this tank, untill you can replace the impeller tomorrow?

If you have a spare, you could get some filter media out of the Eheim and stuff it in the HOB. Even if you have a spare that's not rated for that size tank, it would be better than no filter at all until you can replace the impeller. Also, I'd add bubblers, or increase the flow if you have some already in the tank.

I hope things will be OK for you.

[goldfish247]

Try emptying the water out of the canister filter and then add fresh dechlorinated water in untill it is as full as it can go. I don't know if you can prime Eheims but if you can do it and then switch it back on again. The water level might be down too low causing the impeller to make unwanted noise.

[XanAvaloni]

First do what Mel suggested and get a backup unit in place if possible. This will take the pressure off you and let you calm down. This is important.

Next take the Eheim apart again and look at the impeller one more time. You said you "cleaned gunk off it." Impellers are ridiculously sensitive items and sometimes require VERY close examination in terms of "gunk". Look at the shaft right up where the part closest to the spinner vanes connects to the hub. See if there is anything whatsoever wrapped around the shaft. I had an experience almost identical to yours a couple of days ago and discovered very fine CAT HAIR wrapped around the shaft. Took me half an hour to tease all of them off with tweezers and yet I had completely missed it the first time I took the filter apart. Oy.

Then reassemble and take tank water out in a cup or something and pour it back in to the unit until it catches. (Don't use tap water or you may overflow the tank.) It may take a few tries but I'm betting it will settle down and be fine.

[dundadundun]

order that impeller now if you can. broke or not if it's making that sound you're wearing something down. the impeller is most likely the place to start since a tiny bend sends your filter on a fast downward spiral.

good sound advice so far for sure.

[Obsidius]

Thank you all for the replies. I went onto the Chatroom at around 2 am and got some further assistance.

Upon inspection, the impeller's in excellent shape still. I cleaned all the gunk off of it, gave it a coat of Vaseline and returned all parts. It continued with the sound effects for another 15 minutes or so before gradually returning to normal :)

I'm heading out this morning to get an HOB anyhow.

Thank you!!

[Cory Keeper]

Seriously sounds like something is bent/worn.

I had a worn impeller on my C-160 and didn't know it, replaced it and its quiet, very quiet.

[mott]

Ceramic shafts will break but not bend that is why a lot of companies use them.

Is there a prefilter on the intake? Sponges get very dirty and will almost stop flow if not cleaned every so often.

Are you sure you are priming the unit correctly? Where is the filter in relation to the tank under the stand? same level as tank?

Rattling in every case I had with my cans usually meant some sort of cavitation is happening or the filter is not fully primed.

[Obsidius]

I cleaned the media no more than 2 weeks ago, and don't have a prefilter; everything is now flowing nicely and it's back to being quiet.

[mott]

I cleaned the media no more than 2 weeks ago, and don't have a prefilter; everything is now flowing nicely and it's back to being quiet.

That's it??? no answer to HOW you got it working??? LOLOLOLOL

Cmon now divulge!

EDIT: LOL, never mind I didn't read the last part in your last post.
Glad you got it workin!

[Obsidius]

Beyond that, I will add (and hope that someday someone else follows suit) that I went out and bought a HOB suitable for the tank; better to have a backup than not.

[mott]

Beyond that, I will add (and hope that someday someone else follows suit) that I went out and bought a HOB suitable for the tank; better to have a backup than not.
Always good to have a backup, I run two filters on all my tanks