Rena XP3 Problems PLEASE HELP!!!!!

[Hunter74]

I just purchased a Rena XP3 less than a week ago. I have searched and search and nothing works. I started it up. Worked fine, a few hours later i could hear water trickling inside it.

Checked all the connections for air leaks, can't find any. Started it up again, and again air inside.

I did the purgeing it where you release one clamp and pushes air out. Worked fine. Water line in canister right to the very top. A few hours later, water line is slowly going down. Water starting to make the trickle noise again.

The canister is not leaking. Otherwise I assume it would have water running down it and making a mess on my floor. But somehow air is getting built up inside. I have taken it apart, and reseated everything. but somehow the water in the canister keeps going down, to just enough to hear the water trickle. It is very annoying. Any help is appreciated, except for the throw it out and get a Fluval or Eheim lol

[msjinkzd]

Check your intake tubes to make sure they are fully pushed together and air is not getting sucked in there.

[Hunter74]

Check your intake tubes to make sure they are fully pushed together and air is not getting sucked in there.


the hoses are on good and tight as well as the clamps. The prime cap is on tight, If I turned it any tighter it would probably strip the plastic tubing. All the extensions for the intake are submerged underwater. But they are stacked together as tight as I can get them.

[Sploke]

Also make sure the little black screw tops on the top of the in and out tubes are tight, where you are supposed to prime it. I also found a huge difference when I cut the tubes to the right length. I had initially left them at the stock length so I had large loops under the stand. I cut all the excess off so there's a straight shot from the canister to the tank and it helped.

[avionics30]

You're definately sucking air from somewhere. Is your intake near an air line? I don't own one, but looking at the prints, it appears that these filters have a lot of parts on the intake side that could cause air leak issues if their integrity is not 100%. Wish I had a better answer for you, but find that leak! Good luck!

[Hunter74]

Also make sure the little black screw tops on the top of the in and out tubes are tight, where you are supposed to prime it. I also found a huge difference when I cut the tubes to the right length. I had initially left them at the stock length so I had large loops under the stand. I cut all the excess off so there's a straight shot from the canister to the tank and it helped.

I was thinking that too, they are cut to length. Expect the tank is 4 feet long and the canister is in the center under it. While the intake tube and the out tube are in each corner. So should I move the canister so it is directly under the intake, instead of having the tube at an s-shape, kind of come down from the intake, then angles to over the canister then down to the intake nozzle on the filter. There is no kinks or anything in the hose. But would straight down be better?


Also I had an airwall in my tank no where near the intake, but I thought that may be the problem. So I unplugged it, but I get the same results.

[Sploke]

I don't think it needs to be perfectly straight down, just keeping it a consistent downward and straight is more important.

[Hunter74]

I don't think it needs to be perfectly straight down, just keeping it a consistent downward and straight is more important.


thats what I thought when I set it up. The distance from the top of the tank to filter, are well within the parameters of the manual. The intake is on an S-curve, but is always at a downward.

Could it be the seal on the motor that connects to the top basket. Not sealing so the impeller is also sucking water from where the intake brings the water in? But I am not sure if that explains how air is getting in.

I don't think is the canister, as when I release a clamp, i can hear the air push out and the water level in the canister rise. My next thing, is I read to use the metal clamps like you would for hoses on a car on the intake tube hose Cause I really don't know what else to do

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

have you tried to call the company and explain your problem with the filter and see if they have any advice since it seems you have checked everything several times. if they doesnt help return it and tell them you honestly think its defective and get another canister or different brand.

[tarquin375]

Are you using the flow control valve that connects just before the outlet? I noticed the first time I set up my XP3 I used this and when I turned the flow control to limit the flow, the little, round black thingy (nice technical term, huh? lol) that is located under the outlet hose on the head(turn the removable pert of the filter, which is the motor, over and you will see it) pushed out, acting as an internal bypass so the filter could still pump properly. With this open(or out, if you will) you will hear water trickling from this back into the canister. It can be pushed back in. Wouldn't hurt to check it out even if your not using the flow limiter, it could be part way out.

[Hunter74]

Are you using the flow control valve that connects just before the outlet? I noticed the first time I set up my XP3 I used this and when I turned the flow control to limit the flow, the little, round black thingy (nice technical term, huh? lol) that is located under the outlet hose on the head(turn the removable pert of the filter, which is the motor, over and you will see it) pushed out, acting as an internal bypass so the filter could still pump properly. With this open(or out, if you will) you will hear water trickling from this back into the canister. It can be pushed back in. Wouldn't hurt to check it out even if your not using the flow limiter, it could be part way out.


Thanks, I am using the flow control valve on the outlet, but it is turned on high, only put it on incase i wanted to adjust. But I will check that "round black thingy" :rofl:to make sure it is pushed in

[Fordtrannyman]

Did you figure out anything yet?
I remember when my XP3 was new I had a similar problem. That I found to be the Impeller seal had a small cut in it where it sits on the top basket relief cutout. I don't know if that is what it is called. But you'll see what I mean when you look at it.
I simply removed the seal and rotated it to a contact a different spot. It's been Flawless since then.

[Hunter74]

I think I have. It seems to be you do need the hose to go on the full 2 inches. Had mine on about 1 1/2 inches (but wow is that easier said than done) and the clamps for it, I ditched the crappy plastic ones (i just couldn't get them to clamp to the hose tight) and got metal hose clamps and screwed them down tight, and so far, been two days and the canister is still full of water.

Thanks for all the help everyone.