RENA Filstar XP3

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I would rig some other return in-place of the stock XP-3's for a turtle tank. You won't want it at the top of the tank as he said above. It will be very stressful for all inhabitants.
Take a piece of the tubing to Home Depot & start workin it out with PVC. Bring the return spray bar to or bellow the water level.
 
I use a 1" block of foam cut from an only aquaclear filter sponge. Just cut a 1-1.5" wide block off the filter sponge. You should end up with a rectangular piece. Poke a knife in the narrow end to make a slot. Just don't go all the way through the other end. You should be able to then put it on your index finger as a finger puppet. Slide this over the end of the intake. It's just enough to catch the poop, but not too restrictive.

It's a very good idea to have a filter that is rated 175 gph on 30 gallons of water. What's stupid is to put a filter that's rated for 30 gph on a 30 gallon. A good rule of thumb is:

minimum needed gph = 10x water capacity

On a heavy load like a turtle tank, it should really be more than that.
 
heres what i do with my xp3 in my turtle tank.

I fill the bottom basket halfway with pony beads (google it xD) to act as a prefilter. It keeps the xp3 from clogging up to fast and you just need to rinse it and reuse. Before to put the other foam pads on top though lol
 
thanks fishgonewild; can the valvue be fully submersed too?

JoelR; thanks..what kind of other outlet types are there that come with the XP3? If I use the spraybar though, I will be pointing it upwards.

nolapete; thanks, wolf told me this but when cleaning the filter sponge you want me to put a bag over it and pull it off right. what do you do?
also, will I actually be able to use it on a 40gallon tank wth only 30gallons of water?(36/18/16") My friend was saying that the tubing and other stuff might not be able to fit in my tank.

Rykiru; how big is your turtle tank with the XP3?
ponybeads, lol i learned about those the other days..do they even house beneficial bacteria though? I mean my sister used to make bracelets outta them, haha.
also, do the foams that come with it get clogged easily? how often do ou do maintenance?
 
k thanks.
i am thinking of building a canopy on top of the tank but what should I do? would the tubing go in if a cut holes in the canopy thing?
 
so here's what I got so far..
the top of the filter must be from 24~55" to the waterlevel.
also amhel0 told me that the top of the fitler must be 8~10" from the intake strainer.
and I thought I read somewhere that the top of the filter must be 16" below the tank bottom.

I am gonna build a DIY tank stand, BUT can the stand be 30" tall?
the water will be filled to 12~15"(out of 16")

i'm getting confused though..
if the filter has to be 16" from the tank bottom...how can the strainer be from 8~10" form the filter...? can the distance be more than 10"?

in my case the tank is 16" tall. and the stand is planning to be 30".
the top of the filter is 15" from the tank bottom. and 27~31" from the top of the filter to the water level.
in my tank, will the XP3 work at max power?(i think my water is filled alot for a turtle tank)
 
JEAE21;1196520; said:
Rykiru; how big is your turtle tank with the XP3?
ponybeads, lol i learned about those the other days..do they even house beneficial bacteria though? I mean my sister used to make bracelets outta them, haha.
also, do the foams that come with it get clogged easily? how often do ou do maintenance?

My turtle tank is 75 gallons and it has two xp3s. I adjusted the intake and outtake so that i never see waste on the bottom ^^

Ponybeads dont house beneficial bacteria. They are supposed to be used at the bottom most basket as a prefilter. This makes the filter not clog up as fast because with the course sponge they give you, having it at the bottom will make water not be able to go through.

Heres how i do mines:
Bottom bask:bottom half is filled with pony beads( about 1 pound) and the top half is filled with the two course sponge they gave with the filter

middle basket: two of the finest sponge they gave with the filter and carbon on top (if you prefer)

Top basket: ceramic rings/lava rock on the bottom. Put a divider, and use very fine cotton woolish thing on the top to get out the smallest particles.

^ this setup works like a charm for me and makes the filter not clog up as much.

hope this helps :D
 
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