Eheim 2026 And 2028

[fry_lover]

hey peeps

i have a brand new 2026 and a 2nd hand (seemingly good condition and only 18 months old) 2028

Both filters are not as powerful as i had hoped

Clogging isnt an issue as i cleaned the media (in tank water) and 50% of the media i have in the 2026 is brand new anyway

I cant find my instruction book, but i think there is a way to increase the flow?

at the moment the 2026 is powering only about 125 litres of water in a 48" tank thats filled 50%, and it still isnt creating much "turnover", i have tried

(a) moving the spray bar and (B) removing the spray bar, i still feel the water isnt coming out as powerful as it should for an Eheim external that is supposed to be enough for a 250 litre tank?

Also, same story for the 2028 and thats rated for a 350 litre tank?

What am i doing wrong?

Does the filter need to be a certain level "below" the tank, (from BOTTOM of filter to tank water level on mine is about 12" on the 2026 and 36" on the 2028)

PLEASE, PLEASE HELP

PS - this is my first time ever with externals and i am only about 3-days experienced in them, am i expecting too much? at this rate i feel i would need about 3-4 externals per 300 litre (67 gal) tank LOL

 

[idlefingers]

There's a lever in front of the pipes coming out of the filter. Push it as far as it will go in the direction of the pipes for full blast. You can see on the little flow gauge on the outlet pipe connection if the flow is on full.

You can get fishtail pipes (which squeeze together at the end of the pipe) to make a stronger current.

 

[fry_lover]

OK, i have sussed out the "flow levers" on both the 2026 and 2028 and they are already at the "max" level

therefore i can only come to one conclusion?

i over-estimated the flow rates of these filters?

I guess i should get a powerhead or something to compliment the flow rate of the Eheims?

 

[Tolak]

Pull the ball out of the flow guage.

 

[xing]

I've just got a new 2026 for my 55ukgal and for the first week or two had to turn the flow rate down as it was too much. It's been going around a month now and the flow rate has settled and the flow throttle is now fully open. I was quite impressed with the flow - certainly higher than the fluval 304 i replaced

this may be a silly question but when I first installed mine I forgot to put the little plug into the open end of the spray bar and flow rate seemed crap - you have installed it haven't you?

 

[fry_lover]

like i said i have tried with the spray and without the spray bar, i still the flow below my expectation

i use the plug on the spray bar too

i think i should accept that Eheim are generally "slower flow" filters, although you seem to be ok with yours!!!!!

i understand the benefits of slower flow filter though (as pointed out by Tolak when I PM him - thanks) i checked some links he gave me and the advantage is that the flow remains stable for longer as less debris is collected into the filter media

 

[cleekdaFish]

eheim filters arent made for gd powerfull water flow.

 

[cardinal sinner]

I have the 2026 in my 4ft Flow is fantastic. I know it may sound silly but did you prime it before you plugged it in

 

[fry_lover]

yes mate, but how many times are you supposed to push the priming button down?

 

[cardinal sinner]

hi

Keep pushing the priming bitton down till the filter fills up you will hear when its full

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

I have two Eheim 2026's in a 48 inch tank (72 gallons) and both are very powerful. On one of them, I have the spray bar positioned vertically with the bent piece pointing across the bottom (I do this for circulation -- I was having problems with dead spots.) Anyway, the flow is so strong that it's created a divot in the gravel.

I noticed that you said your tank is only 50% filled with water? Maybe that is the issue? I know that when I clean my tanks and I keep the filters running as I'm taking out water, the flow reduces quite a bit once 10-15 gallons of water are gone. It will go from a strong current to a strong trickle!