glassbird
Aquarium Advice Freak
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2009
- Messages
- 449
Aarrgh! I have finally found the filter (on Craig's list) that I have wanted for a very long time. It's an Eheim 2028, and it came with ceramic rings and Ehfisubstrate. I will need to buy filter pads, and some replacement tubing, but-all-in all I am VERY happy with the purchase. I filled the intake hose with water, pushed the gray lever back against the double taps, water poured in...all seemed fine. I plugged it in, and off it went. Utterly quiet, and all seemed well. I sat there for a while, glorying in the moment.
Then I unplugged it...disaster. Several streams of water went zipping down two sides, from the point where the head joins the body. I plugged it back in...and the leaks stopped. Unplugged...leaked again. Oddly, with the power off the leaks will also stop instantly if I pull the gray double tap release lever toward the big priming button. That may be just because no more water is going in at that point, but I thought it might be worth mentioning.
I have examined the seal between the head and the upper edge of the plastic body closely under strong light and it seems to be in perfect condition. No wear, no cracks. I will replace it if I have to, but I am open to anyone's thoughts or ideas at this point. The filter was not used for long by it's previous owner (6 months or so) and he claimed that it did not leak for him. I did try lubing the seal with silicone grease...no effect. Also, the priming button seems very sluggish. although it is the first one that I have ever seen in real life so it is hard to be sure. It is a bit hard to press down and takes about a minute to come back up...groaning all the way. If pressing it is supposed to pull water into the intake tube, I can say that it does NOT do that. I pressed it three times, with no results. Is this the part that contains the o-ring that I see mentioned elsewhere as a possible source of leaks? Or is the seal between the head and the body also called an o-ring?
I am also looking for tips (or links to directions) for replacing the o-ring(s?). I am SO close to getting this thing running! Help!
Then I unplugged it...disaster. Several streams of water went zipping down two sides, from the point where the head joins the body. I plugged it back in...and the leaks stopped. Unplugged...leaked again. Oddly, with the power off the leaks will also stop instantly if I pull the gray double tap release lever toward the big priming button. That may be just because no more water is going in at that point, but I thought it might be worth mentioning.
I have examined the seal between the head and the upper edge of the plastic body closely under strong light and it seems to be in perfect condition. No wear, no cracks. I will replace it if I have to, but I am open to anyone's thoughts or ideas at this point. The filter was not used for long by it's previous owner (6 months or so) and he claimed that it did not leak for him. I did try lubing the seal with silicone grease...no effect. Also, the priming button seems very sluggish. although it is the first one that I have ever seen in real life so it is hard to be sure. It is a bit hard to press down and takes about a minute to come back up...groaning all the way. If pressing it is supposed to pull water into the intake tube, I can say that it does NOT do that. I pressed it three times, with no results. Is this the part that contains the o-ring that I see mentioned elsewhere as a possible source of leaks? Or is the seal between the head and the body also called an o-ring?
I am also looking for tips (or links to directions) for replacing the o-ring(s?). I am SO close to getting this thing running! Help!