Easy way to prime Eheim 2217!

[brandon_rss18]

Well, I was doing my water changes tonight and accidentally went below the intake on one of my Ehiems. Anyone who has one knows what a pain it is to prime one of these once it gets air sucked into the system. Well, after sitting there thinking, how am I going to do this without getting aquarium water breathe (yes, suck on the return line) I noticed the blue balloon pump on my Top Fin brand gravel vac hose. Well wouldn't ya know it, the thing fits PERFECT into the return line! All I had to do was take all of the hosing off (easy) of the balloon pump (blue round thing you squeeze with your hand) and stick the thing in the return line and pump a few times. This was the fastest and best way I have EVER had doing this. It literally took maybe 7 seconds to have it going again. Just wanted to share this little tip with everyone who happens to own an Eheim canister filter. If you don't have a Top Fin gravel vac, go buy one, if not just for the hand pump! I got mine at Petsmart for around 12 dollars. I hope this helps someone like it helped me.

[HERM]

Sounds very easy and effective. Thanks

[mistahoo]

Lee's sells just the siphon pump for about $6. You can find this item in a lot of the LFS.

[johnnymisty]

That's a cool idea I hate priming the darn 2213 I have

[cu0ngsayz]

if i go below the intake i usually just fill the tank water level back up,plug in the power and its running again without having to prime it. i always do W/C that goes below my intakes.

[brandon_rss18]

if i go below the intake i usually just fill the tank water level back up,plug in the power and its running again without having to prime it. i always do W/C that goes below my intakes.

Well, to be honest I do too, but I forgot to unplug my filters. I dont mean this tip as strictly for after water changes, but anytime you get caught with air in your system.

[cu0ngsayz]

Well, to be honest I do too, but I forgot to unplug my filters. I dont mean this tip as strictly for after water changes, but anytime you get caught with air in your system.

ahhhh ok gotcha

[Totenkampf]

a powerhead or fountain pump will work in a pinch too, i hate priming eheims

[wesleydnunder]

I never prime my 2217s. When I service them I leave the intake tube full of water when I disconnect the quick-connect. When I put it back in service I reconnect the intake tube but leave the return diconnected. I have the portion of hose and quick-connect on the return which is connected to the top of the filter about 12" long. I open both valves on the intake and open the valve on the return while holding the end over a bucket. The water which was left in the intake hose syphons down and fills the filter from the bottom up, purging the air out of the open return hose. Wyhen the water begins to flow out of the short section of return hose I give the filter a shake to loosen trapped air bubbles. When the water coming out is free of air I close the valve on the return hose and reconnect it to the rest of the return. Then I open both valves on the return hose and plug the filter in. It takes a few minute to purge residual air. In this way I never have to try to syphon with suction.

Mark