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Priming an Eheim Pro 3

Whitebeam

Member
Joined
15 Aug 2010
Messages
67
Location
Dorset/Wiltshire Borders
I had to clean my Eheim Pro 3 350 in a hurry tonight as it seemed to be totally clogged (virtually no flow). The bla5ted thing took me over an hour to get going again; I only managed it by continually pouring water in through the inlet and outlet pipes and then running it; doing the same; again; and again. The silly priming pump thing on the top just seems to move a bubble in the top of the inlet u-bend backwards and forwards without achieving anything. What could be wrong? I'm tempted to junk the whole thing after tonight's performance.

Peter
 
Whitebeam said:
I had to clean my Eheim Pro 3 350 in a hurry tonight as it seemed to be totally clogged (virtually no flow). The bla5ted thing took me over an hour to get going again; I only managed it by continually pouring water in through the inlet and outlet pipes and then running it; doing the same; again; and again. The silly priming pump thing on the top just seems to move a bubble in the top of the inlet u-bend backwards and forwards without achieving anything. What could be wrong? I'm tempted to junk the whole thing after tonight's performance.

Peter


Peter

If you allow water to flow back into the filter via the outlet pipe it fills a section within the top tray - see attached picture

Picture056.jpg


if this sections become full of water whilst primming is a problem and you have encounted the problem.

Before priming the system lift up the outgoing water pipe so it above the water level then start priming, once the filter is full, switch the filter unit on - still with the out going water pipe above the water level, once the water starts to flow out of the out going pipe then ease it back into the tank water.

I do the above when primming my 2080 and since adopting this method - never had a problem since.

Regards
paul
 
I have the pro 3 version and mine is a nightmare to get to fill with water after I've cleaned the media...an hour an a half the last time, I had to resort to opening and closing the on off valve as a tiny bit of wayer would enter the filter when I did this

What a pain....and the flow is very much reduced, Ive tried all the pipe nipping ways to see if there was air block to cant for the life of me get it 100%
 
mfcphil said:
does anyone know how to get the indicator open to clean?

Phil

You have a 2080 like mine dont you?

if so on the back / reverse side of the safety adaptor (this is what Eheim call it) it the piece of equipment where the inlet / outlet pipe attach, there are to plastic nibs - pinch the two nibs together and push the nibs - this will allow the plastic surround away from the sight glass or flow indicator, once this has been removed it will allow access to the flow indicator, hold the main body of the safety adaptor in your left hand and gently pull the flow indicator with your right hand and the flow indicator should become loose, then pull the red sealing ring out which will allow the red flow indicator / return spring to be removed - then you can clean all the parts.

Regards
paul.
 
Thanks Paul

Will give it a go, as the indicator is either stuck or simply does not work
 
Peter

If you allow water to flow back into the filter via the outlet pipe it fills a section within the top tray - see attached picture

Picture056.jpg


if this sections become full of water whilst primming is a problem and you have encounted the problem.

Before priming the system lift up the outgoing water pipe so it above the water level then start priming, once the filter is full, switch the filter unit on - still with the out going water pipe above the water level, once the water starts to flow out of the out going pipe then ease it back into the tank water.

I do the above when primming my 2080 and since adopting this method - never had a problem since.

Regards
paul[/quote]

Good advice Paul, it works a treat. :thumbup: :clap:
 
Hello,
I have been working to solve trapped air problem for my new Eheim Pro 3 2071 about 4 hours today, tried every tip I could find on every aqua forum, then decided to take filter head apart to, thinking to lubricate every seal and every corner possible and to my surprise I found the problem - outflow hole in the filter head has a valve and it was fitted by manufacturer upside down !!!! fixed it like it should be and filter runs like a charm.
I think same parts and construction applies for Eheim models 2073, 2074, 2075.

Thought I should post this, so others check this too, before they run out of patience :)
 
I have two Eheim Pro 3 filters and I have only ever experienced problems priming them when the canister is empty. So when I do a filter clean these days I make sure it is pretty much full of de-chlorinated water before priming. Means the pressure difference between canister and tank isn't so great and generally means one compression of the priming button is enough to get it all going again.
 
Sorry I know this thread is old.

What is the easiest and quickest way to prime these filters?? Still not entirely clear on the process.
 
Ah I should have added.
What's the easiest way to do it without sucking the outlet?
I can't disconnect my spray bar easily.
 
Unless you can fill the inlet pipe before attaching it to filter, probably not
You could fill the canister with water, put it all back together, then invert the canister and switch on, not easy in a small cabinet with inline devices connected.
I leave my hoses full of water when i clean my filter but i have double taps. Then once the filter is clean i just reconnect the hoses, open taps(inlet first) and it primes itself.
Most priming buttons are crap and don't work and those that do work usually break easily.
I don't know why people worry so much about a mouth full of tank water, most people have had a gob full of river, sea or local swimming pool water at some stage of their lives and there much worse for you. when you suck the hose theres usually at least 2m of hose between you and the water
 
Sacha, plenty of people prime these without having additional taps etc. If everything is empty then do the following.

Make sure the valve on the filter is off.

Make sure the spray bar / outlet is above the water line.

Disconnect your hose from your tank intake and fill and hose with water.

Then reconnect your hose to he filter intake. Open the valve and you should here the water fill up the cannister. Start the filter once the noise stops.
 
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