Emergency Help Eheim Classic 2215-- please

lifetapestry

AC Members
Aug 16, 2005
8
0
0
For some insane reason I decided tonight was a good time to tear apart my tank and rearrange things. I have a moderately planted 55 gallon tank and an almost brand new eheim filter (classic, 2215, with a prefilter). My LFS dude put it together for me and I took it home and installed it just fine in my aquarium 2 weeks ago. It's been running great but I turned it off to muck around in the tank and now I can't get it restarted. The prefilter won't suck water up and even though I've tried siphoning on the return end, it seems stuck. I'm afraid to disconnect the valves and the manual isn't helping me anyway, probably because I'm feeling stupid and I'm a little panicked at losing the bacteria in the filter (I also have an aquaclear 70 running, and a powerhead with a sponge filter insert, and an airstone).

The water is super mucky and I'm worried about my fish.

Someone please tell me to calm down and then, step by step, what I need to do to start it again. My LFS dude told me I wouldn't ever need to siphon it again, but apparently that's not true.

Karla
 
Did you reopen the valves on the hoses when you turned it back on. The valvse on and off handles need to be pointed in the direction of the flow of water.

Also, you may or may not have to help get the siphon going again. Sometimes I have to and other times I do not.
 
As long as the bacteria remain moist they can live for up to 48 hours without any food source. Since it is in a canister submerged, you are fine. Now take your time and figure out the problem without the stress.
 
does the motor run?
if it does then make sure your valves are open and have enough water in the filter.
if it doesnt, you can try unplugging and plug it back in after a minute or so..
 
AquariaCentral.com