Filstar XP2 not working right ?

[DLeung10]

My XP2 does not seem to trap dirt as well as a Eheim classic
canister. There was not a lot of dirt when I went to rinse the
sponges after 3 weeks of setting it up.

Could I have set it up incorrectly? I have the 2 fine sponges
on top of the 2 coarse sponges in the botton basket. The top
basket has a carbon pouch (in the bottom section)and bio media rings in the top section. The biomedia are capped off with the fine
white pad.

Is there some bypass ?

[chefkeith]

Its set up right.

In my experience with filstar's- Most of the large particles don't get stuck up in the sponges, they stay in the water at the bottom of the canister. Changing the dirty water in the canister is the most important thing to do. I do it weekly. Mostly just the bottom sponge will get dirty, the sponges just needs occasional (monthly) rinsing in declored water.

[125gJoe]

I'm only using one of the "micro" pads at the very top of the filter and it's working great...

[DLeung10]

The 4 black sponges were rinsed in water from the tank....the
water did not get very dirty as compared to an Eheim 2217 that
I moved over to another tank.

[DLeung10]

FYI, the tank is 72 galllons in size.

There is also a Penguin 330 running with the Filstar XP2.

[chefkeith]

The water in my Filstar gets filthy after about a week.

Is the tank clean? If it is clean, then there's no problem.

If the tank is dirty, then you do have it set up wrong.
Maybe there's a dead spot in your tank where all the dirt is collecting. Try moving the spraybar and intake to get rid of the dead spots. or Maybe your baskets arn't stacked right, and the dirt is just going straight to the outtake. I can't think of anything else right now.

[beviking]

I don't think the lid would close properly if the baskets were not stacked right. The dead spot in the tank sounds more likely, but with two filters on that tank, it doesn't seem likely either. Still, moving the spraybar or redirecting it (or part of it) may help. Good luck!

[chefkeith]

my next question would be-

Is the filter plugged in? :)

[DIYMatt]

Is the tank clean? If it is clean, then there's no problem.

I think that is the key here. If you water is clear, then just because the water in your wringing bucket doesn't appear to be as dirty as the water from your Eheim sponges, seems to me to be irrelevant.


Is there some bypass ?

If the lid closes easily and the media baskets are in there, there is no bypas at all. Basically, if you think the Eheim did a better job, the only difference can be in the media. You can go out and buy the same media you used in your Eheim and use it in the Filstar and you have the same filtration capabilities. Just buy the filter pads intended for the Eheim Pro II series. I use and love my Filstars, but I think there is something to the Eheim media that might be superior. Its just a theory for me, I have not tested it. My Filstars do an absolutely excellent job. I do not use anything finer than the fine foam pads, no micro filtration at all. When I see a haze in the water, its due to something I am doing or not doing that causes it. Like overfeeding, or letting the filter go for 2+ months before cleaning and there is little to no water movement.

BTW- On my prefiltered Filstars I do maintenance once a month if they need it or not.

[DLeung10]

Opened the canister again for maintenance......

The 4 black sponges were rinsed with very little dirt coming off
them. The white floss pad in the top basketwas dirty when rinsed in old tank water. The water in the canister was not very dirty.

What gives ???

1) Are the 4 black sponges too porous ?

2) Is the white floss pad doing all the mechanical filtration ?


Any suggestions/feedback ?

[beviking]

the white pad is a fine filtration pad. It will ALWAYS be dirtier than the more porous pads! Is your intake too high? Like, near the top of the surface? If it's set up as your Eheim was, then it will do the same job providing you have the same media.

[DLeung10]

The black sponges had very little dirt.......while the white pad
had a lot.

I expected the water to darken when I rinsed the 4 sponges...it
did not. This leads me to think there is bypass or the sponges
are very porous.

The intake tube extends down till about 4-5 inches off the gravel
and placed in the same area the Eheim was.

I am using 4 Filstar sponges in the bottom basket and some
carbon and ceramic noodles in the top basket. The top basket is topped off with the Filstar white pad.

[beviking]

Must be the "dirt" is too fine for the black sponges to trap.

[DLeung10]

The black sponges are too porous .....

I replaced the 2 less porous sponges with white filter floss
to improve the mechanical filtration.

Works better with the additional white floss !


Anyone have problems with the suction cups ? They seem not to adhere well to the glass.

[lee914]

when I look at the instruction book, the bio media is to be placed under the carbon, above the sponges.

[lee914]

I have to pry my suction cups off the aquarium when I take them off. did you try wetting them first?

[beviking]

No problems with the suction cups here.