I recently purchased a Rena XP2 for my 46g bowfront freshwater. I got it to replace my emperor 400 with a blown impeller housing. I also have a sand substrate and this was causing numerous issues with the emp 400. Anyway, after having it set up for 3 weeks I decided to take it apart during a routine cleaning to see how it was doing. Unfortunately there was signs of blowby between the media baskets-i.e. detrius stuck there. I cleaned it up and put it back together- this time I filled it with tank water to the brim, then assembled it, this eliminated the 1/2" of air I saw at the top of the canister previously(basically level with the bottom of the cover/impeller housing). Flow rate greatly increased, i'm guessing there may have been some air somewhere in there preventing full flow. I'd still like to make the media baskets blow-by proof. From being in the telecommunications field, we use this neat stuff called bishops tape. It's like vinyl tape but thicker, stretchier, and self-amalgamating. I considered using this on the connections between the media baskets, but I have no idea if this would poison the fish. I also need to devise a way to ensure a secure connection between the baskets and impeller housing, it just doesn't feel 'secure' when I put it together and theres no way of telling if it is seated correctly.
So in short, if anyone can answer these questions-
1. Would bishops tape severely affect my water quality?
2. Does anyone have tried and tested alternatives to ensuring a good seal on their XP series filters?
3. One more, can I modify this to increase flow rate? Either by using a lid from an Xp3 or 4 or replacing impeller parts?
Since I'm new I'll put tank specs here
46 gallon bowfront All-Glass aquarium
1 plec, 1 pictus, 1 ID shark, 1 red-tail shark, 5 platy's, 1 angel, 1 dragon goby, 1 cory, 1 golden gourami, and 1 A.D. frog.
Some might say this is an overcrowded tank, but I don't have any water quality issues and maintain it weekly. All the 'larger' fish are still juveniles and have a bit to grow. Also as the platy's die out they won't get replaced.(they are pretty much just a food source for the angel, it loves platy fry eep!)
Also, some links for bishops tape
http://www.arrisistore.com/product.php?pid=602082&PHPSESSID=2d68b20510bb48969287f37b2a674ef0
attached a pic of my setup.
So in short, if anyone can answer these questions-
1. Would bishops tape severely affect my water quality?
2. Does anyone have tried and tested alternatives to ensuring a good seal on their XP series filters?
3. One more, can I modify this to increase flow rate? Either by using a lid from an Xp3 or 4 or replacing impeller parts?
Since I'm new I'll put tank specs here
46 gallon bowfront All-Glass aquarium
1 plec, 1 pictus, 1 ID shark, 1 red-tail shark, 5 platy's, 1 angel, 1 dragon goby, 1 cory, 1 golden gourami, and 1 A.D. frog.
Some might say this is an overcrowded tank, but I don't have any water quality issues and maintain it weekly. All the 'larger' fish are still juveniles and have a bit to grow. Also as the platy's die out they won't get replaced.(they are pretty much just a food source for the angel, it loves platy fry eep!)
Also, some links for bishops tape
http://www.arrisistore.com/product.php?pid=602082&PHPSESSID=2d68b20510bb48969287f37b2a674ef0
attached a pic of my setup.
