question on Eheim 2224 pro filter

[Geoflo]

I bought an Eheim 2224 yesterday. What a wonderful filter. Had problems with my fluval 304, and decided to invest my money in one that I hear is worth it. Only thing I dislike about it, is the primer - is me! had to suck on the tube to get it going. Besides that minor detail, it's great.

The manual says that their specific filter media must be used - I don't think this is a must, but what do you think? Right now I'm using what was supplied with the filter - the mechanical round things (ehfimech), and the media that looks like white rocks sort of (ehfisubstrat), and the filter pads. I also put in some of the filter media from my former fluval to seed the bacteria culture. I left what was remaining of my old filter media floating on the bottom of my tank. Is this what you guys would do?
If I keep using the media that they supplied - how long are they good for? I'm assuming a very long time if maintenance is kept up right?

Sorry for the long post - had more questions than I thought.

 

[famman]

You are supposed to change 1/3 of the "white rocks sort of (ehfisubstrat)" every 6 months or so. Some people do without the sintered glass ehfisubstrat completely and go with just noodles (ehfimech). A pretty good option, the ehfimech never clogs or wears out.
I personally happen to very much like the "white rocks", they are by far the highest density biological substrate on the market, but replacing 1/3 every 6 months seems too expensive for some people. Those same people seem to have very mature tanks and are highly skilled aquarists so it is hard for me to argue against their experience. Even so, with or without ehfisubstrat, the eheims are the lowest lifetime cost and highest reliability filter out there.
I think you done good, especially with adding the old media to the new filter. You will have good results and will be very happy with your purchase.
good luck

 

[RTR]

LOL! I am one of those "do without the Ehfisustrat" types. I use only 'permanent' media, whether biological or mechanical. In general Eheim's media are quite lasting, and they are on of the few if not only manufacturer to admit that the high-surface area glass media permanently clogs. You have to give them credit for that.

But I do not do all-in-one filtration anymore, I separate mechanical and biological, and bio is all alone in those units. Having to back up the Ehfisubtrat would kill my present technique, so I use Ehfimech or Dupla's Minikaskade for bio.

Not that there is anything inherently wrong with all-in-one filtration - I did that for years. I just currently like and use separate funtion filters.

 

[famman]

Yep, I was thinking of you RTR. I get the all mechanical or all biological filters, and an all mechanical can turn into a biological, but do you do anything for chemical?

 

[Geoflo]

Thanks very much guys, you put my mind at ease.

 

[Botch]

This is the media I use in my Eheim Classic. I can't remember why I bought it, but I've been very happy with it for more than a year now and will probably stick with it.

 

[RTR]

fanman - I do not ordinarily use or need chemical filtration. I over-filter mechanical, so particulate clarity is not an issue. I do mucho water changes, so colorants are not an issue requiring chemical. I don't soften my water, so extractions/exchanges are not an issue. I am among the world's most neurotic about QT, so disease treatment and agent removal is not an issue either. If I neded chemical, I'd find a place to stick it in temporarily.

About the only "water treatment" I do to impress non-fish-keeping guests (hobbyists know better and spot what I've done during the grand tour) is diatom the displays before parties, and just smile when folks say "but my water is never that clear!"

 

[Sumpin'fishy]

Originally posted by RTR
LOL! I am one of those "do without the Ehfisustrat" types. I use only 'permanent' media, whether biological or mechanical. In general Eheim's media are quite lasting, and they are on of the few if not only manufacturer to admit that the high-surface area glass media permanently clogs. You have to give them credit for that.

I bought some EHFIsubstrate Pro when I ordered my Eheim ECCO 2233, and I have been very pleased with it. It is spherical (for those who don't know) and shedds excess bio-film easily. It also resists compaction and doesn't impede water flow as time goes on.

The instructions say to rinse it periodically and re-use it. I only used about 2/3 of the "substrate" bag when I added it to the filter, so I plan to replace (every 6 months) about 1/3 of what I have in the filter with fresh media and let my "old" media rinse in a bleach bath for a day or two (maybe 20% bleach, or so), then soak in water with dechlorinator. I will then let it completely dry out and store for use again, later!

 

[RTR]

Unfortunately, Sumpin'fishy, that will only clean the exterior of the glass, not the internal pores which are the majority of the surface area. Once those pores are clogged there is no technique for cleaning them. Like recharging activated carbon at home, it is no hope. You are left with the exterior surface only.

I prefer media which may start with lower surface area, but maintain that area indefinitely. I have no requirement for massive surface are anyway, nor am I looking for any denitrification from my canisters. I also do not want to need to use the fine mesh pad downstream of the biofilter - that would negate the function of my bio-only canisters. A personal choice item.

 

[famman]

I think that RTR has hit upon a remarkably stable, efficient, long term and low cost approach to maintaining his aquariums. The only hitch in getting the 'regular aquarist' to being able to do what he does is a biggie, a nicely planted tank. Something I am still desperately working on.
I like the massive surface area ehfisubstrate precisely because I cannot count on myself not to make mistakes, big ones. A handful of mature well cultured ehfisubstrate is a guaranteed nearly instant cylce (or re-cycle) for your eheim filter. I have on 2 occasions saved my tank inhabitants from my own sheer stupidity by having such a handful from my other filter. You don't get the same effect from a handful of cultured noodles. Also the the ehfisubstrate is far quicker to adjust to sudden higher bioloads, like when your idiot friend comes over for a visit with fish, like several.
RTR has already forgotten more than I'll ever learn about aquaria, he doesn't pull the bone headed stuff I still do. I still like the ehfisubstrat even if I have to replace 1/3 of it periodically because it helps save me from myself.
good luck