Canister Filter Question

afm32607 · 12/08/2017, 10:57 AM

I use an Ehiem 2075 (pro 3) on my 120 gal Freshwater aquarium. I know you all deal with mostly saltwater tanks but I have no where else to ask.

When the filter is unplugged and then plugged back in, even if it is not opened, it will not restart unless I take off the top and tilt it while it is running. The filter is ten years old so it is out of warranty but it was never used, bought it for my saltwater tanks then jumped right to a protein skimmer. This happens even when I let no air in. Haven't found this issue anywhere else. Nothing else is put upstream on the filter.

Any thoughts? Is it just a faulty pump? Is it just old?

mcgyvr · 12/08/2017, 11:46 AM

Its hard to say but it sounds like the canister filter/pump is not able to prime itself and as such there is air where there needs to be water and a pump will never work like that..
The "push" water very well.. They do not pull it..

Many canister filters have a hand actuated "priming" knob that you pull in/out to get water to the inlet of the pump to prime it..

So after reading the main feature list for it quickly its supposed to be a "self priming" canister filter but it seems thats not happening.. I'm not familiar with that canister model enough to help you troubleshoot it.. Did you try to read the manual.. Many times they have a "troubleshooting" section..
It could be a leak somewhere or faulty oring or many other reasons..

101010 · 12/08/2017, 11:53 AM

Check inlet tubing and fittings for leak, I had a similar problem with my filter.

Sent from my ASUS_Z00ED using Tapatalk

afm32607 · 12/08/2017, 12:16 PM

Thanks for all the replies.

If it were a leak, there would not be enough time. It happens instantly, I shut it off, wait 30 seconds and plug it back in and no more water flow. For what its worth, the Ehiem has a priming function that pushes all the air out of the canister but even when I'm done pushing the stupid button...still no water flow.'

My problem doesn't pop up in their troubleshooting section.

Though when I take the lid off and get the impeller running and then put the top back on the pump (all while keeping it running) air is flushed out of the canister then.

BFG · 12/10/2017, 11:49 PM

You might need a new impeller .

DesertReefT4r · 12/11/2017, 06:04 PM

Impeller getting stuck? Sounds like it to me. So I understand correctly this is the situtation, put lid on prime pump and no turning on of pump/impeller running, removing lid lets the pump fire up then u put the lid on and it works fine. Is this correct? I never liked canister filters. They tend to leak, wont prime and dont move enough water imo to keep solid wastes in suspension to be filter out. I have always liked power filter or the old school under gravel filter with powerheads, always had thriving freshwater tanks using these.

afm32607 · 07/10/2018, 08:25 AM

For closure, I bought a new canister filter it works fine, the previous one was, while unused, seven years old.

mcgyvr · 07/10/2018, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afm32607

For closure, I bought a new canister filter it works fine, the previous one was, while unused, seven years old.

Thanks for coming and giving closure after all that time.. Thats quite uncommon to do so but is welcomed by those that understand the value in it...

afm32607 · 07/10/2018, 12:56 PM

Thanks, haha.

I always hate when i read a post with my problem that doesn't have a solution and doesn't even say they couldn't find a solution.

12/08/2017, 10:57 AM	#1
afm32607 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 279	Canister Filter Question I use an Ehiem 2075 (pro 3) on my 120 gal Freshwater aquarium. I know you all deal with mostly saltwater tanks but I have no where else to ask. When the filter is unplugged and then plugged back in, even if it is not opened, it will not restart unless I take off the top and tilt it while it is running. The filter is ten years old so it is out of warranty but it was never used, bought it for my saltwater tanks then jumped right to a protein skimmer. This happens even when I let no air in. Haven't found this issue anywhere else. Nothing else is put upstream on the filter. Any thoughts? Is it just a faulty pump? Is it just old?

12/08/2017, 11:46 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Its hard to say but it sounds like the canister filter/pump is not able to prime itself and as such there is air where there needs to be water and a pump will never work like that.. The "push" water very well.. They do not pull it.. Many canister filters have a hand actuated "priming" knob that you pull in/out to get water to the inlet of the pump to prime it.. So after reading the main feature list for it quickly its supposed to be a "self priming" canister filter but it seems thats not happening.. I'm not familiar with that canister model enough to help you troubleshoot it.. Did you try to read the manual.. Many times they have a "troubleshooting" section.. It could be a leak somewhere or faulty oring or many other reasons.. __________________ Who me?

12/10/2017, 11:49 PM	#5
BFG Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 700	You might need a new impeller . __________________ If you've learnt, teach. If you have, give.

12/08/2017, 11:53 AM	#3
101010 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 86	Check inlet tubing and fittings for leak, I had a similar problem with my filter. Sent from my ASUS_Z00ED using Tapatalk

12/08/2017, 12:16 PM	#4
afm32607 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 279	Thanks for all the replies. If it were a leak, there would not be enough time. It happens instantly, I shut it off, wait 30 seconds and plug it back in and no more water flow. For what its worth, the Ehiem has a priming function that pushes all the air out of the canister but even when I'm done pushing the stupid button...still no water flow.' My problem doesn't pop up in their troubleshooting section. Though when I take the lid off and get the impeller running and then put the top back on the pump (all while keeping it running) air is flushed out of the canister then.

12/11/2017, 06:04 PM	#6
DesertReefT4r Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Mesa Az Posts: 771	Impeller getting stuck? Sounds like it to me. So I understand correctly this is the situtation, put lid on prime pump and no turning on of pump/impeller running, removing lid lets the pump fire up then u put the lid on and it works fine. Is this correct? I never liked canister filters. They tend to leak, wont prime and dont move enough water imo to keep solid wastes in suspension to be filter out. I have always liked power filter or the old school under gravel filter with powerheads, always had thriving freshwater tanks using these.

07/10/2018, 08:25 AM	#7
afm32607 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 279	For closure, I bought a new canister filter it works fine, the previous one was, while unused, seven years old.

07/10/2018, 12:56 PM	#9
afm32607 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 279	Thanks, haha. I always hate when i read a post with my problem that doesn't have a solution and doesn't even say they couldn't find a solution.