Classic Eheim 2217 Stuff

[TehTANK]

Does anyone have the Classic Eheim 2217 and have some extra media they don't want? I could use it. Running really low on funds and I need to change it BAD! If not is there any really cheap ways to change the media in one of these so my wife doesn't kill me that I spent to much and I don't kill my fish.....

Thanks for the help!

[Algenco]

What "media" in particular are you needing to change? If it is the carbon,you really don't need it.

I have a Rena XP3 and the only thing I change is filter floss ( Poly-Fil from Walmart), everything else just gets rinsed in aquarium water .

In mine I have foam, ceramic noodles, bonded filter pads, and Poly-fil

[TehTANK]

Just the floss I think. How much is that stuff? is there cheaper things I can use. I don't use carbon in my tank.

[Lady Hobbs]

It would be cheaper for you to buy a big bag of floss than for us to send it to you. LOL TehTANK, I buy the big bed pillows from Walmarts on sale. They usually run about $2.50. They give me a ton of floss. Or you can buy just the floss in the hobby department.

As soon as they write on a bag "for fish tanks", they get more money and most of it is the same thing.

[TehTANK]

Awesome! thanks fo the info hobbs. I wasn't sure what would be good to use. What bout the rest of the media? Just floss needs to be changed?

[jweintraub]

Just floss needs to be changed?

I'd say so, just like the others have stated previously in the thread... Rinse the other stuff in tank water.

[Rue]

It depends on the media...

Filter floss gets tossed when it's dirty. Sponges can be rinsed out many times before they need replacing. Bio-balls (etc.) just need to be rinsed out periodically to dislodge the larger particles caught up between them...

Carbon should ideally be changed every 2 weeks for max. efficiency...but as long as you change it before nitrates start leaking back into the tank, it can last quite a while too (before it become detrimental I mean).

[Greg Menke]

I've been experimenting with open cell foam and poly felt rated for filtering capacity- the combo has been doing extremely well at mechanical filtration in my 2217. Basically its effective enough to polish and hasn't loaded down perceptibly so far.

The felt is graded for filtering, down to 5 microns and is less than $2/square foot. The foam is $12 for a 3" thick, square foot piece, cut pieces to fit with a bread knife. Don't know the longevity yet but the stuff ought to be washable. [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] is the supplier.

The nice thing is how easily water flows through both, yet the foam is much denser than the sponges that Ehiem sells. I haven't serviced the cannister yet so I don't know where the goo is- in the foam or on the filter pads.

Greg