RENA filstar canister filters
- Thread starter JEAE21
- Start date
For the xp3 filter, to get the most of it you'll need to buy additional media. I added Fluval Prefilter, Eheim Ehfisubstrat and Seachem Matrix to my xp3s.
I bought renas recomended filstar bio-stars or whatever they are called. They worked really well, the tank cycled very quickly and smoothly; although by comparison, you could use almost any media that would work, clay discs, that volcanic rock stuff, etc. The bio-stars are similar to the bio balls in goldfish ponds. I LOVE my xp3, one of the beautiful things about it is it's versatility. Bderick67's detailed suggestion is excellent.
I don't have any of my media in bags, just dumped in the trays. I've only had mine up and running for about 4 months. I cleaned one of my canisters the other night for the first time and just rinsed everything off in tank water, I plan on doing the other canister in a couple weeks.
Do you think if I use a bag, it would interfere with the media's capability?
I'm gonna be new to this canister filter business but how do you clean the filter itself? do I submerse the filter itself in tank water or something..lol?
how much water does the RENA filstar canister hold by the way?
also why do some people say that the prime is hard?
I'm gonna be new to this canister filter business but how do you clean the filter itself? do I submerse the filter itself in tank water or something..lol?
how much water does the RENA filstar canister hold by the way?
also why do some people say that the prime is hard?
I run the standard 4 foam pads they give you in the bottom tray, as much Ehfilav as the second tray will hold and I stuff the top tray full of poly fill. I never replace anything but the polyfill. I just hose the Ehfilav out and rinse all the crude out of my foam. Great bio-capacity and it doesnt really need replacing 
I have a couple setup the same way except with the Rena ceramic rings instead of the Ehfilav...I have never replaced those either. I dont personally see why anyone would say this filter is hard to prime, they fill themselves up with water and remove air from the chambers and take right back off once you stop seeing bubbling in your tank. Once you initially setup the filter youll have to fill it with water...its all explained in the manual. But after that the canister will fill itself back once you hook it back to the tank after cleaning it. Its extremely simple to use. A media bag isnt necessary but I doubt it would hurt anything...I personally dont use them either. Its up to you if you want to use one or not. As far as how much water it holds...Im not sure I suppose alot of that would have to do with what media you choose to cram into it
I have a couple setup the same way except with the Rena ceramic rings instead of the Ehfilav...I have never replaced those either. I dont personally see why anyone would say this filter is hard to prime, they fill themselves up with water and remove air from the chambers and take right back off once you stop seeing bubbling in your tank. Once you initially setup the filter youll have to fill it with water...its all explained in the manual. But after that the canister will fill itself back once you hook it back to the tank after cleaning it. Its extremely simple to use. A media bag isnt necessary but I doubt it would hurt anything...I personally dont use them either. Its up to you if you want to use one or not. As far as how much water it holds...Im not sure I suppose alot of that would have to do with what media you choose to cram into it JEAE21;1170889; said:Do you think if I use a bag, it would interfere with the media's capability?
I don't think so but I'll someone else with more experience chime in.
I'm gonna be new to this canister filter business but how do you clean the filter itself? do I submerse the filter itself in tank water or something..lol?
These are my first canisters as well. What I did was siphon out 2 buckets of water, rinse out the media in one and and put the clean media tray in the other. Once all done I put everything back in the canister, hook it back up (takes 30 seconds) and start the priming process, I find it very easy and it takes 5 min TOPS. I figure if I do lose some BB my other filters will pick up the slack until it rebuilds.
how much water does the RENA filstar canister hold by the way?
Not really sure maybe a gallon or two.
also why do some people say that the prime is hard?
IDK I find it very easy.
Keep in mind this is my experience with it only and who knows maybe I made it more complicated than it
needed to be.