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Eheim pro 2, ceramic shaft broken

sciencefiction

sciencefiction

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26 Feb 2013
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Hi,
I was doing a water change today, switched off the filter and it won't start anymore, void of any life.
I opened it up and took the impeller out first and it turns out the ceramic shaft is broken. The filter did make strange noises for the last week.

Is there anything I can put temporary so it works until I get a new one? And is that the reason it's not starting at all anymore?

I am a bit worried right now because it's the sole filter in the tank. I put two internal filters from other tanks but they'd have to adjust to the bioload as the media will not fit into them.

I've ordered a new shaft but not sure that's the only problem as the filter at all won't even try to start.
 
I'd be heading straight to the lfs for a replacement, lots of them stock eheim spares especially impellers and ceramic shafts. Last time my eheim didn't start i needed to clean the impeller housing out and it was fine when i put it back together. I have temporarily used 316 stainless tig welding wire but if the size isn't perfect it will damage the impeller(i replaced both)
 
Thanks Big Clown. I will go around the shops tomorrow. Believe it or not the shops around here are hopeless. I actually can't recall seeing eheims for sale so not sure I'll find something. I ordered a ceramic shaft from e-bay but it won't arrive soon as it's from the UK and I am in Ireland and today is Friday. I am so annoyed. First time it happens to me and that filter previously leaked too so I hate Eheims right now.
 
Hi all,
You can use any metal or wooden shaft in the short term. You may find that even a "cocktail stick", cut to the right length and wedged in the 2 black rubber bushes will do in extremis.

I try and keep a spare (the ceramic shafts last pretty well, but are brittle and I've broken plenty by dropping them on our stone kitchen floor), but I also have some stainless steel wire/rod (3mm?) that I can cut to size.

The ceramic shafts are the best option for all sorts of reasons (Young's modulus), but I wish they didn't break so easily.

cheers Darrel
 
Thanks Darrel. Where will I find a metal or wooden shaft from, any recommended material? I don't have anything spare that will fit. I suppose I can find a cocktail stick 🙂

Do you guys think the filter isn't starting only because of the broken shaft or it's totally toast? It was working until I switched it off.
 
Local welding firm for the wire, busy ones will be open saturday morning. Its a little late for net shopping and would probably turn up after the replacement
You might find a local model shop that has some suitable rod, machine mart if you have them in ireland.
Depending on shaft size cocktail sticks might not be thick enough
 
As above I've used a cotton bud before but I found a thick sewing needle and tapped it down the inside of the bud to strengthen it. I forgot all about it as it ran fine and sold the set up mths later.:$
 
kirk said:
As above I've used a cotton bud before but I found a thick sewing needle and tapped it down the inside of the bud to strengthen it. I forgot all about it as it ran fine and sold the set up mths later.:$
Click to expand...

Just tried your suggestion to test the filter. The filter started up but I can hear noise from the impeller and I was afraid it may do damage although it's pumping water fine. When I switch it off and try to start again, it won't start anymore, like no power at all. I am hoping it's not just the impeller/ceramic shaft the issue as it's starting intermittently.

I didn't have a chance at all to go to the shops today. I only have an ammonia liquid test as I haven't needed testing in ages and it tested 0 twice today. Fish seem to be behaving normally so maybe the internal filters and plants are coping with the change. It's a 5f tank though, the big internal is a 1000l/h fluval and a 450l/h small fluval. There are 40-45 small fin in there.

I may still go out on Monday and try to find suitable cocktail sticks or some other sort of metal wire.
 
Hi mate, try a bit non fragranced vasaline on the cotton bud I did that too to stop it binding. Or maybe it's to thin for your impeller? What are the two seating rubbers like? If there is play it will be very noisey. Cheers kirk.
 
Hmmm,
I too have broken the shafts in the eheim filters and often wondered why they did not make them from stainless steel.
I assumed that steel would somehow affect the magnet and thus the operation of the impeller.
If this is not so,I am now doubly confused as to why they use the flimsy ceramics.
I bet I can/will make up a couple shafts for emergencies as it was nearly a week for me to get replacement through the mail.
No fish stores here carry spare parts for any filters,only media.
 
roadmaster said:
I too have broken the shafts in the eheim filters and often wondered why they did not make them from stainless steel.
I assumed that steel would somehow affect the magnet and thus the operation of the impeller
Click to expand...
Most filter & pump & wave maker manufacturers are moving to ceramic as they last considerably longer. My Juwel internal filter pumps used to last a year or two before the stainless shaft would wore, impeller wobbled and made a noise and started demagnetising impeller. Latest Juwel replacement I got (whole pump) was a ceramic shaft and has lasted for years with no sign of wear. Same for my second wave maker, first one the stainless shaft wore away after a year or two. Replacement is ceramic shaft, still going years later.

Thank goodness my JBL filter and wave makers are ceramic shafts, so glad they stopped the "disposable"stainless shafts. 😡
 
Well ,maybe my fingers/thumbs are just too fat for the delicate operations of removing and replacing the ceramics.
I shall try and be a little more delicate.
My koralia wavemakers have the steel shafts, as well as my API (old Rena) canisters.
I find them much more forgiving and they have not worn out for me in last three years (knocks wood).
I have more trouble losing the tiny washers that the shafts ride on but have since sourced plenty of spares from local hardware store.
 
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