Rena Filstar XP1... good, bad, or ugly?

[Heady]

Thinking of buying a Filstar for my 29 gallon. Anyone have any experiences with them? Particularly, how easy are they to maintain? Do they have those quick-connect/disconnect hoses? Do they leak when you disconnect them? How loud are they? Any other input?

[NJ Devils Fan]

I have the same questions. I am planning on getting one for my tank mainly so that I have filtered water going through my U.V. sterilizer and so that I don't have to see the ugly powerhead in the water.

[Slappy*McFish]

I've heard nothing but good things about this filter, it is on my list of future purchases as well.

[beviking]

You guys/gals have checked out threads in Gen. right? With all seriousness, I've seen and checked out Eheims (pro II series)and they are really nice, but Filstars have less parts and are easier to open and clean! The baskets are square and align either way you put them into the body of the filter. Water flows around the outsides of the baskets so there are no holes and gaskets to align between baskets (or clean!). The handles on the baskets are on two sides, not in the way across the top of the basket! To open, unplug the filter, lift the shut-off/seal lever and pull the hoses out. Very quick disconnect! It does not leak. Of course, any residual water on the very tip of the quick disconnect unit may drip a drop or two, just shake it before pulling it away from the canister. After flipping the four clips that hold the motor (head) on, the impeller is under a "cover" that takes a half-turn to remove and the impeller pulls out. I was concerned about all the talk of how difficult it was to clean canisters and have been pleasantly surprised how easy it is! Feel free to email me or pm me if you have any specific questions.
BTW-just make sure not to cut the hoses too short!!

[wptemple]

have a XP3 and it is as above, easy to clean, quiet and cheap.
You will have to buy extra media for it as it comes with very little.
I am very happy with it.

[125gJoe]

It's Rena Filstar... Here's a link: Filstar xP's (http://www.rena.net/us/rena_filtres_xp.html)

[NJ Devils Fan]

Why does it say for all of the filters less ghp then what is in all of the catalogues and on some websites?

[beviking]

Probably b/c the flow is different when empty vs. stuffed with media and/or if the pump is at the same level as the water or 2ft lower. Maybe?

[BlueUltra2]

I'm planning ordering 3 of the XP3's to put in my 125. How much extra media would you buy and what type? How would you recommend setting these filters up? Would you set them up all the same or do each different?

Travis

[125gJoe]

Different media is up to you, but don't clean them all at the same time, rotate them..... You may want to put some peat granules in one or two of them(?)

[Heady]

Well, I ended up going with the Eheim 2213 instead of the Filstar for my 29 gallon tank. Partly because I really liked the idea of having the same filter 20 years from now. :)

Plus I got it for cheap from BigAl's.
Their regular price: $69.99.
Competing website: $67.99.
http://www.superfishstore.com/Eheim2213.htm
Lowered price to beat competitor: $64.55.

Rena Filstar XP1 @ BigAl's: $59.99.
Rena Filstar XP2 @ BigAl's: $74.99.

[fishbrain]

I have the xp-1 on a 30 gal....it is very quiet,easy to matain.It self primes itself ,and dosent leak a drop when you disconect the hoses .I use the coarse black pads on the bottom and the ceramic rings on the upper half ,so i re-use the same media over and over again,I paid $49.99 on sale at bigalsonline.The only downside is,on the xp-1 you are limited on the media space that can be used...all in all the xp-1 is great for the money

[gillfluke]

I agree with the other posts. The Xp1
is top notch, quiet, easy to maintain and
does a great job. Just remember to leave
some slack in the hoses when you set it
up.:D

[Jag1980]

Is this filter still good?
I think I might buy one this week.
I need a filter that will work well up to a 40 gallon tank that is Silent!

[BoredAgain]

Is this filter still good?
I think I might buy one this week.
I need a filter that will work well up to a 40 gallon tank that is Silent!

First of all, I see ghost threads. :)

Yes, that is a good filter. Would I get one for a 40g, no. You should look at the XP2 at least.

Use this link and get the XP2 for $94.99.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3602&prodid=6136&catid=115

[bert]

I just bought a Rena XP4 for my 100 Gallon to replace my magnum 350. We just moved to a new home and I have yet to restart my tank but want to be very choosey at what kind of setup I want to run. Any tips you may have about the Rena XP4 filters would be appreciated as I have never owned one of these. is there anything i should know like how to correctly fill the 4 media baskets ? I know the coarse pads go on the bottom and the fine pad goes up on top. My questions are the middle baskets which have a divider in each one. I am thinking the divider is to put on top of the bio-media to keep it in place however, the drawing on the box shows media both on the bottom & on top of the divider but the instructions don't. can you experienced XP filter owners tell me what method works best to fill the center baskets and what kinds of bio-media do you use ? Mine came with some stars. Also, the bio-chem zorb, is that used in place of regular carbon ? My independant fish dealer sells rena filstars but says you CANNOT get parts for them is this true ?
bert

[johnhoover]

There's places to mail order parts, just ordered replacement o-rings and impeller gaskets for mine.

http://www.frogpondaquatics.com/
http://www.planetrena.com/

[bert]

thanks JohnHoover, thats good to know. How do you like your rena ?

[prolude006]

Love my xp3, wish the intake tube was black or really clear but thats the only downside. really easy to take care of and trouble free, as well as silent.
Had mine for 8 years and going strong...still looks brand new.
paid 75 dollars back then. NOT BAD

[bert]

thanks for the info. I have a magnum 350 that i was running for about 5 years but i always wished i had more filter so now that i moved i decided to go for it and retire the magnum .