Eheim Surface Suction Extractor

[TomFromStLouis]

I bought this gizmo to help clear the top of the water in my 75g planted tank. It worked fine until it clogged with plant matter. So I clear away the detritus and it works fine....until it clogs again 10 minutes later. Now I've got plant bits down each tube and the surface scum is happily in place on the water.

In other words, how do you keep this thing unclogged and functional long enough to be of use? I end up netting plant bits every time I clear the tubes and enough escapes back into the water that the tubes are clogged again in no time. Is there something I am missing?

 

[RTR]

First question - why does your tank have so many plant bits? If it is duckweed, get rid of that first, then turn on the SSE.

I have a couple of the units and haven't had any problem except once when I tried to use one on a duckweed-infested tank.

 

[TomFromStLouis]

Okay, I confess I installed the SSE the same day I pruned a lot of stuff. I go through and clip plant pieces and scoop out the bits at the end with the net. I do not get it all with the net.
Your suggestion that I clear all the plant bits out and let it run makes sense. It even makes me look somewhat stupid, but Ia m getting used to that.

 

[RTR]

If you could have see the look that must have been on my face when I realized duckweed and the SSE were incompatible, you would feel much better. Or you could have laughed at me trying to clear the ducweed. PITA. The lessons we learn the hard way stick the best.

 

[Aquafreak]

I've used the Eheim SSE for a while too, my problem with it was that everytime I do a 50% water change in the tank, the filter loses suction and I have to reprime them everyweek, was a pain in the rear. About the plant matter, yeah as mentioned already, you have to keep the surface real clean in order for it to work, I used it mainly to remove the film or protein on the surface. And make sure you don't keep really tiny fish in with SSE, they can sometimes get clogged with sleeping neons. HTH

 

[TomFromStLouis]

repriming

As for repriming the SSE after a water change, I simply hold my finger over the regular filter intake for a brief moment to force the SSE into action. Simple and effective.

 

[Aquafreak]

I'm gonna try that