---
product_id: 48281467
title: "External Prefilter and Powerhead"
brand: "eheim"
price: "€ 29.82"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Eheim"
url: https://www.desertcart.ie/products/48281467-external-prefilter-and-powerhead
store_origin: IE
region: Ireland
---

# Extends biological decomposition process significantly All-round suction for gentle, efficient filtration Prolongs filter media life by reducing clogging External Prefilter and Powerhead

**Brand:** eheim
**Price:** € 29.82
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🛠️ Upgrade your aquarium’s defense system — because your fish deserve the best!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** External Prefilter and Powerhead by eheim
- **How much does it cost?** € 29.82 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ie](https://www.desertcart.ie/products/48281467-external-prefilter-and-powerhead)

## Best For

- eheim enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted eheim brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Gentle Yet Powerful:** All-round suction design ensures effective filtration without stressing aquatic life
- • **Effortless Maintenance:** Easy Click removable filter basket for quick, hassle-free cleaning
- • **Optimized Water Quality:** Traps coarse dirt before it reaches the main filter media for crystal-clear water
- • **Maximize Filter Longevity:** Prevents premature clogging to keep your external filter running longer
- • **Extended Service Intervals:** Significantly lengthens cleaning cycles so you spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying

## Overview

The Eheim External Prefilter and Powerhead is a precision-engineered accessory designed to trap coarse dirt before it reaches your external filter media. This reduces clogging, extends the biological filtration process, and lengthens service intervals. Featuring an easy-to-remove filter basket and all-round suction, it ensures gentle yet effective filtration, maintaining superior water quality and prolonging the life of your aquarium’s filtration system.

## Description

Product Description The Eheim pre-filter ensures excellent filter performance, perfect water quality and longer cleaning intervals. It traps coarse dirt in the priming area and prevents the filter media from clogging too quickly. The filter basket, which can be removed easily (Easy Click) and can be cleaned quickly, is used to draw water directly from the bottom of the aquarium. The coarse dirt is trapped in the pre-filter and not in the external filter. The biological decomposition process in the external canister filter is extended considerably and the service life of the filter is increased. Eheim Product Number 4004320 Box Contains EXTERNAL PREFILTER & POWERHEAD

Review: A must have for your external filter! - I got this as i seen it prolongs the life of the media in the actual external filter and it sure does! Great quality sponges inside which are easy to clean(i turn mine inside out too to give it that full clean) easy to dismantle and mantle!
Review: Effective prefilter - My tank isn't deep enough to use both baskets, so I just use one and alternate the sponges when it needs cleaning. The plastic pipe didn't fit on my intake (all pond solutions) so i had to fashion an adapter, by wedging in a spare piece of plastic pipe from another filter. Obviously these are made to only fit Eheim cannisters. I have found this to be an effective pre filter, and it has noticeably made my water column cleaner, as well as preventing a build up in my canister filter. You do have to rinse out the sponge quite often - but this could be because I am only using one. However, this is no hardship, and I would rather do this than have murky water. I would recommend, and no doubt this would be even more effective in a deeper tank that allows the attachment of both baskets.

## Features

- Traps coarse dirt particles in the filter baskets avoiding premature clogging of the external filter media
- This means the biological decomposition process in the external filter is significantly lengthened and service intervals are longer
- All round suction for a gentler filtration

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B003UA7D98 |
| Batteries Included | No |
| Batteries required | No |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,126) |
| Date First Available | 15 Aug. 2012 |
| Item Weight | 190 g |
| Item model number | 4004320 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Pet Type | Fish |
| Product Dimensions | 1 x 1 x 1 cm; 190 g |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Size | 1 Count (Pack of 1) |

## Images

![External Prefilter and Powerhead - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71wC4gtO0nL.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Do you use 1 or 2 cartridges and does it make a difference ??**
A: i use two 2 cartridges on a 4ft x 18" x 15" tank, i suppose it depends on the size of your tank and/or stocking and feeding levels, excess food or fish waste will clog up up any filter prematurely, i find with my set up etc that i can safely go a couple of weeks between cleaning it, i usually find that even then it stays quite clean with minimum rinsing required, mine is hooked up to an EHEIM PRO3 external canister filter up take, i try to do a partial water change every week vacuuming the gravel with a syphon gravel cleaner to take out as much waste material as possible, hope this helps.

**Q: Will this fit the 650 aquaball**
A: I don't see why not.  You would simply need to attach one end of a length of tube to the Aquaball (instead of the little filter affair) and the other end to the pre-filter.  You might also ring John Allan in Bury St Edmunds.  They're the major stockist of Eheim equipment and are extremely helpful when you talk to them.  tel.no. 01284 755051

**Q: Will this go with my eheim Ecco pro 200?**
A: Works well for me.  Clean the filter rather than the public. Have no experience with Ecco pro though.

**Q: Exactly how big is thisthing - have seen comments saying it's "bulky"?**
A: It's about 3" in diameter and perhaps 8" or 9" high.  Not bulky at all (unless, perhaps, you put it into a very small tank)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A must have for your external filter!
*by D***E on 30 April 2025*

I got this as i seen it prolongs the life of the media in the actual external filter and it sure does! Great quality sponges inside which are easy to clean(i turn mine inside out too to give it that full clean) easy to dismantle and mantle!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Effective prefilter
*by R***E on 12 November 2023*

My tank isn't deep enough to use both baskets, so I just use one and alternate the sponges when it needs cleaning. The plastic pipe didn't fit on my intake (all pond solutions) so i had to fashion an adapter, by wedging in a spare piece of plastic pipe from another filter. Obviously these are made to only fit Eheim cannisters. I have found this to be an effective pre filter, and it has noticeably made my water column cleaner, as well as preventing a build up in my canister filter. You do have to rinse out the sponge quite often - but this could be because I am only using one. However, this is no hardship, and I would rather do this than have murky water. I would recommend, and no doubt this would be even more effective in a deeper tank that allows the attachment of both baskets.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Quality product by Eheim
*by R***Y on 24 January 2019*

Used as a prefilter for my Eheim Eco Pro 300. It works well preventing larger muck from entering the main filter and reducing cleaning times. It's quite big so thankfully comes in two sections which clip/unclip together, I chose to use just the one section which is great because that leaves me with a replacement foam. Would suit a very large tank when both sections are used but maybe even just the one section would be too big for some smaller tanks. Overall it is a great quality item, well-made and of good design. I totally recommend it.

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.ie/products/48281467-external-prefilter-and-powerhead](https://www.desertcart.ie/products/48281467-external-prefilter-and-powerhead)

---

*Product available on Desertcart Ireland*
*Store origin: IE*
*Last updated: 2026-03-20*