Eheim 2215 Cannister Filter -- HELP!!

[Uncle Albert]

If anyone owns this filter I would like to ask for some assitance. Bought and setup the filter mid-january. Did the 1st water change a few weeks ago and ran into some problems:

1.) I could not get the top of the cannister off ... I unlatched all the latches and tried to pull/pry it off but no dice. Is there a trick?
2.) When I pulled the hose going into to the top of the cannister off, I could see there was water in there. Is there an order of what to shutoff first (valves) kill the power, etc in order to clear the cannister of water?
3.) I was told to only change the carbon ... BUT ... what do knowledgable owners of this filter change and at what intervals?

finally, when I put it together in january, I found that the tubing that goes from the spraybar to the filter was a problem .. the box only had 1 "S" joint in there, so as a result , I put the "S" joint after the spraybar but where it turns and goes down to the cannister (outside the tank) it could use another ... the tubing is "kinked" a bit at that point - maybe 50% as a result of the bend. I tried to lookup a distributor for Eheim here in the US - no luck ---*crazysmil even called the phone number in Germany (during working European hours) listed for support only to get a message in German and then a hangup.

If anyone can help with any or all of the above, it's much appreciated.

Thanks in advance ..

UA

 

[Chris_A]

While I don't have the 2215 I do have a 2213 and 2x 2211's which are the same design. Is yours the "new" model with the O-ring inset into the pump head or the old "loose" type?

1) Make sure there is no water in the canister and the valves are open. If they are closed while you're pulling you create a vacuum and it makes it VERY hard (if not impossible) for the average person to pull off. Also you'll have water splash everywhere if you do manage to pull hard enough. If you did that and it's still tough... Pull harder . Next time you pt it back together a little food grade silicon grease (from a restraunt supply store) around the O-ring will make it easier next time.

2) Unfortunately you can't get the pump to clear the canister... Canisters rely on gravity to feed them and only move water through a loop. The best you can do is unplug, close the valves, disconnect, take to the sink, open the top valve first and then the bottom and allow it to drain. This also allows a little bit of a "backwash".

3)... Without knowing your set up I'm hessitant to recommend anything here... I'll tell you what *I* did... I would change the carbon, rinse out the mechanical (replacing what ever needed it at the time) and rinse out the "biological" because it's effeciency drops BAD when it gets clogged with gunk. So far as an interval... OFTEN lol. The more you maintain your filter the less crud breaks down into the water.

For the fitting, You should be able to get another one from almost any Eheim dealer. Granted this was a few years ago but at one point to even make an initial order from them required a $10,000 parts order. Meaning any *ACTUAL* dealer (as opposed to "re-seller") should have something on hand.

Failing that, If I remember correctly the 2215 uses either 12mm or 16mm ID hose (~1/2" or ~5/8), you should be able to find fittings at most hardware stores. Even if it's two barbed elbows with hose clamps holding them on, that way you won't get the kinking.

For direct support try their website: EHEIM GmbH & Co. KG

Chris