how do i know if my filter is working well?

[MARIA]

i know i might ask stupid questions but i am new and i really love this forum. you people out there have helped me out so much already. so, i was just gaining into my tank and i was looking at the filter intake, if that is what its called, and i noticed that very little gets sucked in. things have to be really really close for it to get sucked up. if something is floating by like 2 or 3 inches away it just floats right by. i put my hand by it and didn't really feel any suction. is this normal. i mean my tank is clear and seems to be doing fine. i just want to make sure . its an Eheim 2217 if thats how you spell it. could i have hooked it up wrong? thanks

[matrixnyc]

Does the filter look like this?

http://www.superfishstore.com/Images/Eheim2217CrazyPricewMedia_22.jpg

[MARIA]

Does the filter look like this?
yes it does. but its green. its an eheim 2217
http://www.superfishstore.com/Images/Eheim2217CrazyPricewMedia_22.jpg

[Irisservice]

Does the line get pinched any where?Even the smallest change in tube diameter will reduce the flow drastically.
The best way to test if the pump is running up to specs.

1)Mark up a 5 gallon bucket to indicate were all gallons line up.(like a measuring cup for gallons)

2)Put the return line in a 5 gallon bucket.

3)the tricky part the bucket needs to be placed at the height the return line is usually at.

4)"almost done" have some one stop watch you and see how much water fills up in a 30 seconds then multiply by 120 and that gives you how many gallons an hour and your pump is pumping
Your pump is rated for 264 US gal/hr.

Let me know how that works.
John