Eheim 2213 won't prime

[Lori]

I've tried several different methods. I was thinking maybe a bad impellar at first. Now, i'm thinking maybe just a bad pump all together. I'm getting alot of suction on the intake side but, very little discharge. I've checked hose, quick conects for blockage, removed hose with quick connects and replaced it with just a straight hose. Same water flow. Very poor discharge. If I hold the discharge hose high in the air. The water just poors over the side instead of shooting into the air. Any idea what a replacement pump and or canister head would cost? I'm out of option's.

[SOULJAA]

It sounds like an issue I used to have w/ the cheaper Odyssea filters. In their case, I didn't have the media aligned properly. So you could maybe check that.
You could check to see if it's your propeller or if the housing has lost it magnetic force by removing the impeller. Then take a screwdriver and insert it in the housing, trying to keep it centered. If the screwdriver is being pulled to either side of the housing, then the housing is good. Otherwise it's shot.

I recently had the same issue w/ my 2217, and after trouble shooting for a day we realized one of the valves on the outlet quick connect was closed. So while it may be time for another filter, it really sounds like and could be something simple.

[jarrodaden]

Have you checked the impellar? A snail got sucked through mine once and it broke.

I agree it may be something simple you have overlooked. Take some time away and then try again later.

I bought a wet vac at Lowe's on sale for less than $20. For things like this it comes in very handy. Nothing worse than a mouth full of tank water.

[fshfrk]

I always put a pump in the tank with 3 ft hose on the output. I clamp the pump to the side of the tank. so it hangs down 1ft or so(out of the sand). I hold it up to the imput and have someone plug it in and blast the water thru. wait a minute. After all the bubbles came out . I plugged in the canister. If that does not work your impeller is shot. Good Luck!

[Lori]

I gave it a few days thinking it may have air somewhere. No such luck. I tore it apart last night for the tenth time. I'm thinking maybe the magnet is just wore out. It's got some surface rust on it and it doesn't pull like a strong magnet would. Kinda weak if that makes any sense. Not sure if this is the problem but, gotta start somewhere. I can rebuild your house but, I know absolutely nothing about fish tank pumps. Other than they work or they don't.

[SOULJAA]

+1 for a shot impeller....

[sountfc]

I vote for the impeller as well. I've had both Fluval cannisters and Whisper HOBs where you could look at the impeller and really not see any obvious issue, but a replacement did the trick. I'm willing to bet that City Pets has a replacement.

[RonR.]

Impellor is getting stuck or not set well. If filter is new, ask for a new impellor. Sometimes the rubber ends on the ceramic rod where the impellor sits is not set well at the top and bottom end.

I don't think this is the case, but if you are packing your eheim too tightly with the cotton fiber, that may cause your water flow to run slower.

If you had a problem with the rubber gasket you would have water all over the floor.

Lastly, be sure your output hose is clear of algae and gunk. This will cause your water flow to slow considerably. Also check to make sure you have a tight seal around your return hoses. This can cause air to get in your hoses and reduce your water flow as well.