Cleaning Ext Filter

[Jazz_UK]

Hi,

I have had my external Ehiem Pro II filter running for around 3 months and think that it is time to clean it (I have lost the manual).

Anyone else got one of these or some advise as to how to clean it.

Some questions that I can think off

1) Do I I just wash it all in tank water or do I need to change 50%-100% of the filter media?

2) There are 2 media (one large/one small in diff containers) do I need to change them both?

3) Do I wipe out the slime (don't know the technical term) from the walls & pump area of the filter or leave it?

4) Do I need to replace the sponges that go between the levels of media.

In the past I had an UGF with powerhead, therefore this was not an issue

Thanks
Jazz_UK

 

[Nik]

Never owned an Enheim external filter but do run a few Fluval external filters.

My process:

Take out filter media and wash it through in tank water. (Within the fluval I have standard sponge like media and wool - sometimes called water polisher.) All my media is advertised as re-usable and has yet never been replaced - just washed.

I also wash the plastics of the filter - again with tank water - and get rid of any slime build ups.

Put it all back together and away I go - no worries.

Replacing filter media for new - will upset water paremeters.

 

[Oldman]

Hi,

I've got a Eheim pro2 running in my Rio 180, the following is how I clean mine.

1... I wash all my media in tank water every 3-4 months, never change the sponges white/blue, just wash them in tank water & replace.

2... See 1, don't change just rinse. Every 12 months I change about 30% of the ehfisubstrat.

3.... I give mine a good clean, it tends to smell a bit if you leave it to long

4... Nope, See 1

I also give the pipes a good brushing, you will be amazed at the improved flow, just one final point. When you have cleaned everything & re-assembled, put something over the out-pipe otherwise when you start up you will find a lot of crap deposited in your tank.

HTH
Richard

 

[Jazz_UK]

Everyone - Thanks for the advise.

I will not have time this weekend, but will probably do it next weekend!

Jazz_UK