2213 Ehiem

[standaert]

Hey Peoples, I'm new to this whole thing,of chatting and this fish thing. Found this sight while trying to get info on my filter, it's a ehiem 2213 canister. In the bottom of the filter there are these ceramic noodle type things a plastic grate. then layered on that is plastic (looks like a wad of real thick fishing line),a nylon sock with white ammonia rocks,a sock with charcoal bits, and one with sand in it. topped off with another wad of plastic and a grate. I have had it for a while, water stays clear. The tank is about 50 gal.. I have a pleco Chinese algae eater 5 barbs and afew smaller ones. Should I be concern or am I ok with this set up. Any comment or ideas would be welcomed.

 

[OldMan47]

The white ammonia rocks and charcoal bits are something that I would not bother with in my filter but the noodles are a mechanical and biological filter which belongs on the inlet side of things, as yours is and the heavy fishing line, if it is a mat of fibers, is probably a quite good biological filter with some ability to remove particles. If the "ammonia rocks" are nothing but a ceramic that can help control ammonia, they also would have a place in one of my filters. If they are intended to directly remove ammonia like "ammo-chips", I would remove them and replace them with a better biological filter medium. The carbon has a purpose in removing foul odors, discoloration from wood or medications from the water, but its expected useful life is quite short compared to the rest of your media. Unless you have a problem with foul odors, I would skip the carbon as an expensive money maker for the fish shop but not much use in your filter.

 

[standaert]

The white ammonia rocks and charcoal bits are something that I would not bother with in my filter but the noodles are a mechanical and biological filter which belongs on the inlet side of things, as yours is and the heavy fishing line, if it is a mat of fibers, is probably a quite good biological filter with some ability to remove particles. If the "ammonia rocks" are nothing but a ceramic that can help control ammonia, they also would have a place in one of my filters. If they are intended to directly remove ammonia like "ammo-chips", I would remove them and replace them with a better biological filter medium. The carbon has a purpose in removing foul odors, discoloration from wood or medications from the water, but its expected useful life is quite short compared to the rest of your media. Unless you have a problem with foul odors, I would skip the carbon as an expensive money maker for the fish shop but not much use in your filter.

 

[standaert]

I appreciate your input ,as I said I'm kind of new to this. What would you suggest instead of the ammonia? Does the sand serve as a bio median or is it just taking up space.

 

[OldMan47]

I have never seen sand used in a canister filter. There are lots of biological media including plastic pot scrubbers and several media made by Seachem and by Eheim. There are also things like bio balls. Almost anything with a large surface area compared to its volume would work for a biological filter but sand, even with a high ratio, would tend to cause a significant pressure drop in the filter and might choke off flow to a degree.
bio balls

Pot scrubbers

Sponges

 

[standaert]

thanks alot for the pics! my pc is down using the one at work. the pot scrubbers are the fishing line i was talking about they just came unwound. i never did like the sponges truth be told i've had the tank for a few years just started paying attention again. i'll lose the sand as soon asz i decide what to replace it with maybe bio balls thanks again. happy EASTER "HE HAS RISEN"

I have never seen sand used in a canister filter. There are lots of biological media including plastic pot scrubbers and several media made by Seachem and by Eheim. There are also things like bio balls. Almost anything with a large surface area compared to its volume would work for a biological filter but sand, even with a high ratio, would tend to cause a significant pressure drop in the filter and might choke off flow to a degree.
bio balls

Pot scrubbers

Sponges