Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have been running a Rena XP3 canister filter on my 90 gallon freshwater aquarium for a few weeks now. My initial comment is that this is the easiest cannister filter to prime that I have ever owned. Having done the suck-the-hose-and-spit routine, and the restart-repeatedly routine with other filters, this filter is a joy. It's virtually self-priming. With the filter UNplugged, you simply remove the little cap from the top of the intake tube which you have placed on the upper rim of your aquarium, and pour a cup of water into it via the funnel that is provided, and the filter does the rest. The filter fills with water from the tank in 1 to 2 minutes; you then plug it in, and you're in business. Once I had the hoses connected and the filter's easy-disconnect valve closed, it took me less than 2 minutes to be fully functional.
The only issue here - and this is crucial - is that you MUST NOT FORCE the intake/output disconnect valve lever down into a locked position; i.e., you must be certain that it's seated on the top of the filter correctly, and then GENTLY PUSH the lever down. If you feel resistance, you don't have it seated correctly. Just wiggle it into position, and gently push the lever down. It locks into place and you are ready to self-prime it as described above. I am sure that there are some people out there who have impatiently tried to force the connect-disconnect lever into a locked position, and thereby damaged the lever and/or housing. Ordinary prudent gentleness is required here.
The interior of the cannister is extremely flexible as to the placement of media. There are several stacking trays inside that you can fill with any media that your heart desires. Rena has a broad array of sponges with different filtration densities and media pouches to choose from, and you can add more (OR DIFFERENT) media as you so choose. The media pouches are typically outrageously priced in LFS stores, but quite affordable through Amazon and online aquarium suppliers.
In addition to two grades of sponges and 3 other media that came with the filter, I added a wad of the same biological filtration ribbon that I use in my koi pond bio filters, placed into one of the empty trays (clean and unused media) to lend more support for development of nitrifying bacteria.
There is no media-water bypass with this filter because of it's central upward flow design. Crystal clear water is the result. Nitrite cycling - jump started at two weeks with one of the packaged non-refrig bio product - has gone off without a hitch. After doing a basic gravel clean with the python, the somewhat clouded water cleared of sediment to crystal clear within 20 minutes in my 90 gallon tank.
And is this filter as silent as they claim? Absolutely silent. I find myself looking to see if the plants are waving in a current, just to make sure the thing is still running. Just amazing. No overheating either.
As to customer service .... I had a very good experience. I had thought - from reading Rena's website - that there should have been a venturi included with the canister. So I emailed them after-hours, asking "where is the venturi", and gave them my phone number. Early the next morning, I got a call from the technical support folks, telling me that the venturi had been fazed out a few years ago because they felt it didn't add much to the effectiveness of the filter, and that no, I wasn't missing anything. Very prompt, courteous and professional communication. [But, Rena, if you are reading this, please update your website diagrams to reflect the absence of a venturi on current models. I think this is more than just a static page caching issue.]
I would highly recommend this Rena Filstar XP3 to potential buyers.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals RENA FilStar xP3 Canister Filter
It?s no wonder the Rena Filstar xP canister filters received an industry recognition award for the best aquarium filter! Easy-to-use and extremely powerful with multi-stage filtration and bypass-free circulation, the Rena Filstar continues to raise the bar for the best possible aquarium filtration.Easy to Install: Adjustable Height inlet tube, fits even the deepest aquariums. Modular outlet system adjusts to any aquarium. 160 degree rotation of inlet/outlet nozzles.Easy to Use: Self-priming, easy start system. Unique one-step water shut-off and disconnect control lever. Easily accessible flow control from above tank level. Disposable filtration pouches for easy clean-up. Multi-use filtration baskets with handles for easy maintenance. Built in handles for easy carrying of filter during maintenance. Easily accessible impeller.Maximum Performance: Efficient 3-stage filtration: mechanical, chemical & Biological. Bypass-free: ensures complete water flow through the filter media. Maximum capacity baskets hold large amounts of filtration media. Long-life shaft will not degrade, even in salt water.Maximum Reliability: Unique anti-airlock system ensures continuous flow. Self-locking water shutoff system prevents accidental flow during maintenance. Rubber feet prevent slipping and dampen noise and vibration. Barbed nozzles and safety clips (included) ensure a water tight connection. Anti-overheating design protects motor if filter is clogged.
Buy cheap Aquarium Pharmaceuticals RENA FilStar xP3 Canister Filter now.
No comments:
Post a Comment