Help With Setting Up Eheim 2215 & 2217 Filters

[Hornchurch Hammer]

Hi, I have recently bought a 4ft aquarium (from ebay) that came with 2 Eheim external filters (1 x 2215 & 1 x 2217) and would like some help setting them up.

I have downloaded the instruction manuals from the Eheim website, but I am still a bit confused with setting up the filters.
I have bought new filter media sets, which include fine filter pads (white), coarse filter pads (blue), substratpro (look like stones) and Ehfimech (bits with holes).
Does anyone know in what order these items need to be put inside the canisters. There is also two bits of round plastic (lattice screen) for each canister, at what point are they put into the canisters. (i.e do they go between the different media types?)
I have also noticed that there are black carbon pads that are on sale and also something called a filter pillow. Can anyone tell me if I need to have these items. (they dont come as part of the media sets)

Finally, whats is the best/easiest way of getting the filters full of water, ready for operation.

Any advise in getting these filters set up and ready to go would be very much appreciated.
Thank you,
Hornchurch Hammer

 

[waterdrop]

Hi HH and welcome to TFF!

I don't remember which way the water flows through those two models (you can figure it out based on following the input and output tube paths) but the normal order for all eheims would be:
1) blue course foam to catch large particles first
2) ehfimech ceramic rings go next (mechanical particle catching, water flow randomization, bio-surfaces for bacteria are the functions here)
3) ehfi substrat next (I believe these are artificial pebbles made of sintered glass to provide tennis-court size area for bacteria anchoring)
4) white pad (NOTE: for these models I'm not entirely sure of its ideal position, this is where it is in mine, a different model -- check with hardware guys)

Sometimes the correct order can be seen on the outside of the filter or filter media cardboard boxes. You can also email/call eheim, they've been very responsive for me.

Also post in "Hardware and DIY" forum here, they love these questions!

Forget the carbon, unless you want it on the shelf for emergencies - its only to be put in for 3 days or so to remove medicines or tannins or an unusual smell, waste of good bio-media space if left in all the time. I don't know what the pillow option is, probably a fine cleaner that would have to be changed too frequently, but its probably not needed.

With all cannisters you want to make sure its all tight, then suck or bulb suction the output tube over the tank to start the input tube siphoning water into the cannister. Try to fill the cannister as completely as possible, gently physically shaking the unit to help the bubbles move out, then try starting it up. Turn it back off if something is wrong. At eheim website the manuals are often long with all languages in them, scroll down patiently. Also, the hardware forum guys may know better answers than me.

Hope this helps! ~~waterdrop~~

 

[Hornchurch Hammer]

Hi Waterdrop,

Thanks for your quick reply.
The info you have supplied has been very helpful to me. (all is now becoming clear)
I have just checked and I can see now that the water inlet is via the bottom of the canister.

Just one last question, do I need to divide the substratpro & Efimech media with the plastic round plates (lattice screens) or do they go directly on top of each other?

Regards,
Hornchurch Hammer

 

[MELVIN ASHLEY]

hi i would go like this put the lattic on bottom feet down stones and rings next then blue filter pad then the white thats the polishing pad then the top lattic feet up that stopes any of the pad getting in the shaft keep the pads on top then when you cleen out the filter you only change the pads they get glogged hope this helps

 

[waterdrop]

Hornchurch,

My own approach as a new person with a new eheim was to go with the exact order and instructions as the company specified. I wanted to experience this as a baseline before venturing into trying changes. This is just my personal approach.

Eheim will have specific instructions/recommendations if you can just find them.

I will repeat that there really are several members who regularly take a look at threads over in "Hardware and DIY" who really know all these eheim models quite well.

I have read on TFF that there is a principle of doing just enough mechanical filtration -prior- to your main bio-media that they don't get quickly clogged with debris. In my case I feel this is what the course blue sponge material accomplishes. It would be unwise for me to say what order you should use without knowing for sure what eheim specifically recommends for your exact two models. Incorrect media sequencing can mean premature clogging, necessitating too frequent cleaning or reduced performance from your biomedia and bacteria.

~~waterdrop~~