Eheim Canister Filter Spraybar Adjustment/General Questions

[linuxrulesusa]

Today I finally hooked up an Eheim 2222 (I think that's the right model #) that I picked up three months back or so.  I'm running it on my cube tank (33g).

I have basically all the parts for the canister except there's nothing on the end of the spraybar to make the water go out the pre-drilled holes instead of the end.  What is the best thing to use to cap off the end?

Also, how often do you clean a canister?  Every few months?  My stocking for the tank is in my signature.  It's heavily stocked but not overstocked, in my opinion.  So should I just watch for when the water flow slows down a lot?

Thanks for any help.

[four_by_ken]

My canisters... I change the "prefilter" portion every 2 weeks to a month.  Depending on how busy I am with my water changes as I do it at the same time.

I have checked my bio a couple times and still looks good.  Looking like maybe once a year I will have to do something with the bio... maybe not even that.

[linuxrulesusa]

My canisters... I change the "prefilter" portion every 2 weeks to a month.  Depending on how busy I am with my water changes as I do it at the same time.

I have checked my bio a couple times and still looks good.  Looking like maybe once a year I will have to do something with the bio... maybe not even that.

By prefilter you mean what's in the first tray, or do you mean a prefilter sponge on the input tube.

[four_by_ken]

My canisters... I change the "prefilter" portion every 2 weeks to a month.  Depending on how busy I am with my water changes as I do it at the same time.

I have checked my bio a couple times and still looks good.  Looking like maybe once a year I will have to do something with the bio... maybe not even that.

By prefilter you mean what's in the first tray, or do you mean a prefilter sponge on the input tube.

Yeah, I meant first tray.  I just said it that way because some dont have a true tray, etc.  Your filter's first line of defense.   
It really should catch all the gunk and most of it never make it to your bio.

[linuxrulesusa]

My canisters... I change the "prefilter" portion every 2 weeks to a month.  Depending on how busy I am with my water changes as I do it at the same time.

I have checked my bio a couple times and still looks good.  Looking like maybe once a year I will have to do something with the bio... maybe not even that.

By prefilter you mean what's in the first tray, or do you mean a prefilter sponge on the input tube.

I see.  Mine is just coarse foam, so I could just rinse it out I would assume, like I've done for my Aquaclear sponges when they get clogged.

Yeah, I meant first tray.  I just said it that way because some dont have a true tray, etc.  Your filter's first line of defense.   
It really should catch all the gunk and most of it never make it to your bio.

[greg y]

The end of the spraybar can be capped off with a gob of silicone or order the part from big Als online

[Ogre44]

My Eheim just has a little plastic cap that snaps into place on the end of the spraybar.
i would think that an appropriate sized nylon bolt could work as well.

[linuxrulesusa]

My Eheim just has a little plastic cap that snaps into place on the end of the spraybar.
i would think that an appropriate sized nylon bolt could work as well.

I might try that second suggestion, see what I can find at the hardware store, because otherwise I'll spend like $8 on shipping and $2 on the part.    Thanks.

[greg y]

I bought a pvc cap for mine but never got around to using it because I built a new spraybar out of pvc pipes, I was just going to silicone it over the end.

[greg y]

http://www.mcmaster.com/?orderview=new#standard-barbed-tube-fittings/=phpch1

other plugs,

just in case

[linuxrulesusa]

Thanks.  I wedges a pvc cap over the end in the corner...working great