Eheim Prefilters

Hi all,

When I installed my Eheim Pro 4+ a couple of months ago, I used one of those new gray Eheim prefilters on the intake. I change the prefilter inserts every 3 to 4 days and the sponges do not seem all that dirty. The inside of the canister on the other hand has been disgusting both times I've opened it up, so my thought is that these prefilters don't work very well and I'm wondering if anyone else has had any experience with these and what your experience has been with them. Changing the cartriges every day, or every other day may be the answer but they are a real P.I.T.A. to change out in a 24 inch deep tank.

I may need to re-route the intake to a bulkhead fitting and use a regular prefilter sponge (which would be a real P.I.T.A. to rework the tubing) - those sponges keep my wet/dry canister clean for months

Pic below - any thoughts?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cosmo

Hi all,

When I installed my Eheim Pro 4+ a couple of months ago, I used one of those new gray Eheim prefilters on the intake. I change the prefilter inserts every 3 to 5 days and the sponges do not seem all that dirty. The inside of the canister on the other hand has been disgusting both times I've opened it up, so my thought is that these prefilters don't work very well and I'm wondering if anyone else has had any experience with these and what your experience has been with them. Changing the cartriges every day, or every other day may be the answer but they are a real P.I.T.A. to change out in a 24 inch deep tank.

or I may need to re-route the intake to a bulkhead fitting and use a regular prefilter sponge (which would be a real P.I.T.A. to rework the tubing) :crazy:

Pic below - any thoughts?

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I use that filter and works great. When I open it the sponges are full of sludge and canister stays clean. Make sure it's properly attached to your intake. It should fit very snuggly. You have to kind of find where it fits in but once you do it fits very tight. My guess is it is not fit right and stuff is bypassing it

I run mine on a pro 4+ 600

i have 1 on each of my 2217s. i only use the bottom half of the prefilter on both intakes. it collects all the larger stuff. i clean them every other day while doing w/cs. they work well keeping the course pad and the mech free of the big sludge.

Mine is on a 600 also and I have it on an Eheim installation kit syphon tube, not the one that comes with the filter, the tight fit is one of the things that makes it difficult to change out the cartridges, would be easier if I could slip the entire thing off and replace instead of dropping off the two sponge chambers and then somewhat blindly clipping them back into place - the tank is both 24in higha and 24in wide and I basically need to lay on top of the tank to use both hands in the exchange :(

Looks like I'll be going to daily changes :P

Thanks for the input :)

I also have the installation kits on mine in a 72 gallon bow front, 23 inch high. if you keep working at the clip to remove the strainers from the siphon tube connected to the intake pipe, it will eventually loosen enough to make cleaning the cartridge easier. it also slips on with a click when reinstalling it. i use a net around the cartridge before i remove it to keep all the junk on the strainer from falling back into the tank.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cosmo

Mine is on a 600 also and I have it on an Eheim installation kit syphon tube, not the one that comes with the filter, the tight fit is one of the things that makes it difficult to change out the cartridges, would be easier if I could slip the entire thing off and replace instead of dropping off the two sponge chambers and then somewhat blindly clipping them back into place - the tank is both 24in higha and 24in wide and I basically need to lay on top of the tank to use both hands in the exchange :(

Looks like I'll be going to daily changes :P

Thanks for the input :)

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Just takes practice. I am able to unclip and reclip one handed now that I've done it so many times. I usually unclip mine every other day with water change. When the tank is more than half empty it's not hard to work with.

I've been able to reclip it once only. my problem is to reach it I have to be on a step stool turned sideways, and then there's the surface agitation :( although I usually waited until the tank was 2/3 empty using my fingers for my eyes still made it difficult. Yesterday I changed it while the tank was full and loosened a section of the installation kit and removed the whole thing (which I can't do if the tank is partially drained without losing my intake syphon), changed the chartridge and re-inserted. I'd think it'd be much easier with a smaller tank than it is with the 180. In any event, after two days the sponges were slimy which I took as a good thing :crazy: so looks like changing every day or other day at most will be the new routine.

Jim,
I replaced 1 of my eheim prefilters with this.. ..http://www.thatpetplace.com/prefilte...e-2-3-5-7-pump... its danner part number 12505

it fits nicely over the installation kit intake pipe.

Attachment 111010

Attachment 111011


taking in on and off is a breeze. i found it at a local pond shop for $9. just leave the plastic insert that comes with it and place that on the intake pipe.

these also fit aquaclear 110 intake tubes

looks like it should be much easier.. thanks!

My go to....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Clawhammer

My go to....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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I use these on my smaller intake tubes. i have 1 in the pic i posted.