Noisy Eheim 2213

[srenka]

I recently got a used Eheim 2213 and find that it is quite noisy.  It is way nosier then my Fluval 204 but I heard that the Eheims are actually very quiet even quieter then the Fluvals, so I assume there is something wrong with this one.  I cleaned the filter thoroughly, including the impeller and the impeller chamber, but it is exactly the same.

Can this be a problem with the impeller?  Could a new impeller fix this?  How would I know, other then buying a new one and trying?

Sarenka

[Nelson]

I recently got a used Eheim 2213 and find that it is quite noisy.  It is way nosier then my Fluval 204 but I heard that the Eheims are actually very quiet even quieter then the Fluvals, so I assume there is something wrong with this one.  I cleaned the filter thoroughly, including the impeller and the impeller chamber, but it is exactly the same.

Can this be a problem with the impeller?  Could a new impeller fix this?  How would I know, other then buying a new one and trying?

Sarenka

It would have to be the impeller - there's nothing else that could make noise.  Is the impeller shaft intact - i.e. one piece?

[srenka]

It would have to be the impeller - there's nothing else that could make noise.  Is the impeller shaft intact - i.e. one piece?[/quote]

Well, the impeller looked quite good, but I went ahead and bought a new one, and the noise is gone.  Now it is quieter then the Fluval 204 (as expected).

Thanks.

sarenka

[wu-gwei]

Eheim Classics are just that - classic - and outdated. I hate the 22-- series. They are useless. But the newer Professionel II series is superior.

I run a 2215 on a 40 G and the water quality it terrible. I was a way a few weaks and there was a power failure and when the power was back, the filter lost the prime and ran dry. Fortunately, it did not burn out. With Fluval -04 series, when the power is out and when it returns, they will run again.

Anyway, my Eheim Classic 2215 is noisier than my Fluval 404 and my Fluval 203. Nothing you can do about the noise. I don't know why I keep my 2215.


Cheers,
JJ;)

[BigDaddy]

Sell it to me!  I love the classic series.  Simple and effective.  I've never lost prime during an outage....

Too many bells and whistles on the new models... more parts to have to replace since your gonna be keeping it for years and years.

[darkdep]

I have to agree with BigDaddy here.  I'm a big fan of canister filters in general, and recently got a 2217.  I LOVE it.  It's "older" but honestly, I think it's design is awesome.  

And, it is completely silent.  I have to put my hand on it to ensure it's still running.

[Mettle]

I don't know what types of Fluvals others are running - but the two 404s I have running are totally silent. I don't hear them at all.

[darkdep]

I think "any" canister should be silent, just by the way they are designed...if they aren't, it's either an impeller problem or air in the canister.

[sylvain]

I used to own fluvals 3rd generation (403) that were to my opinion better than the 4th one e.g. 404, I had 5 or 6 fluval 404 and got rid of them because they where not reliable, leaking, I had to replace complete motor assembly, and so on. I have 7 Eheim 2028 pro II, and one 2026 pro II, and I can tell you that in the long run they are well worth spending the money. I also have 2 Astro 2212 and one Astro 2208, (they are carbon copies of the Eheim except for a few minor things, cheaper then fluvals because they are made in China), and they are working better then the fluvals, the water in my tanks is incredibly clean. So for me fluval had it's glory days with the 3rd generation, with the fourth one they are lacking the most important factor, wich is reliablity.

For your information Wu-Guei, if your filter didn't work after a power failure is simply because you are getting air in the tubing, otherwise this is not possible, where I live we have power failures almost everytime there is a thunderstorm, or when it rains really hard, and I never experienced anything like this, my filters have always performed well for me, so maybe this is something you should take a closer look at.

[Nelson]

I think "any" canister should be silent, just by the way they are designed...if they aren't, it's either an impeller problem or air in the canister.

I agree...I have five fluvals of various sizes and they're all extremely quite.  The HUGE problem with all of them is getting them running again after a cleaning and the O-ring leaks that inevitably occur for awhile after re-start.  I also have an Eheim 2026 Pro that in my opinion is superior to any Fluval product.

[srenka]

I find the Fluval to be a bit noisier, but still very acceptable.  My aquarium is in the bedroom and I don't hear the two filters at all (Fluval 204 and Eheim 2213).  When I open the cabinet, or am very close to it, then I can hear the Fluval just a bit.

In terms of the design, I like the Eheim better. For a filter, I want it to be as simple as possible, and Eheim is just that.  After all, what you are really doing is moving water through some media.  In terms of the priming, I found that it is quite easy with both, but Eheim’s, to my surprise, is actually more effective.  Also, the valves on the Eheim, are a lot better.  When they are closed, they are closed.  The ones on the Fluval leak if there is some dirt on them.  One thing better in the Fluval (against the classic Eheim) is the use of media baskets, although this can be approximated in the Eheim with media bags.  

As for the power loss, I can’t see how either would fail to re-start as long as there is no air being sucked in or water leaking.  The filter should be below water line and the chamber should stay filled with water.

The leak that Nelson is talking about, I think, is not really a leak it is water from the ridge around the seal.  Not a big problem, but kind of silly design idea to put it there, IMHO.

All in all, I’m happy to have them both.  Since they have different water flow rates, I set them up to do two different things.  The Fluval is setup more for mechanical, while the Eheim is more for biological filtration.  And to minimize the frequency of cleaning them (especially Eheim without the media baskets), I put a sponge on the intake of both.  This reduces the flow, but they are on a 55g tank so the flow is still more then adequate.  There is also a Fluval 3 plus, in the tank to take care of the purely mechanical polishing of the water.

Sarenka.