Problems with xp3

mummyof2

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Apr 11, 2003
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New York
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I have had problems with my xp3 ever since I got it. Every time I clean it I can't get it to start up and cycle water it takes me several times of disconnecting and reconnecting to get it to work. I now can't get it to work. The motor runs but no water moving!! It is about 2 1/2 years old and I am really frustrated! I am considering buying a new filter but really don't want to fork out the money what am I doing wrong? The filter is full of water and so is the intake tube. I even had trouble when I first set it up and called customer service. Maybe it was defective all along......

Thanks for any help,
Barbara
 
Make sure that the top basket cover has a ring that is facing up. I had a similar problem and it ended up being the top basket cover that was upside down.
 
You don't know what the problem was the first time you set it up do you? Maybe it was defective from day 1?
Try removing the head unit and plugging it in for a QUICK second to see if the impellar is working. The drive system is magnetic so even if the motor runs, if the impellar is stuck, it won't move water. Be sure the impellar is clean and free to move.
You could also try some silicone grease or vaseline on the o-rings on the head unit. Maybe the o-rings aren't sealing properly. I would inspect them to be sure there isn't a small spec of somthing that is in the way and preventing a good seal.
I've also given the filter a shake to move the air out quicker after filling it and plugging it in. Don't do it so hard as to dislodge or break the quick disconnect though!

As a last resort...don't throw it away, someone would likely buy it ;)
Or, if you'd like to ship it, I'd be willing to check it out for you. I'm not saying I could fix it either, but maybe?

-Bill
 
Thanks for the offer Bill. Hopefully it will just be the top basket cover!! I can hope right??? BTW you have beautiful pics of your tank. What co2 do you use and how much? I will be hooking up my pressurized system up when I get this filter going or get a new one. I want to feed it into the intake of the filter.

Barbara
 
Well it wasn't the top rack being upside down it's right!!! ugh!! Well I will take it all apart tomorrow and see if it will work if not I guess I will end up getting another one or something. I will call customer service first and see what they say.
Barbara
 
I've used several ways of injecting CO2. For most of those pics, I used the one listed in the pics...
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1209978429045182475RguQNZ
which is a bottle with the bottom cut off, a few bio-balls and foam inside, a pump at the top pushing water down through it, and CO2 entering wherever you want. I switched over (or back over I should say) to the inline pvc reactor which sits right next to my XP3 (the blue thing in one of the pics). The amount of CO2 depends on volume of water and pH target but usually 2-3 bubbles per second (bps).

When you re-connect the hoses, the water fills the filter via the syphon created from the water in the hoses right?

-Bill
 
Well I figured it out it was the o ring. It had a gap in it, I am assuming it is broken and was supposed to be in one piece?? I pulled it out and fixed it so it is somewhat in a complete circle and low and behold the filter works!! I looked on the rena website and the o ring is $6.99 any other places to get it? I looked at a couple of local fish stores and they didn't even carry the filter let alone parts for it.
Thanks for all the help,
Barbara
 
:clap: :clap: :clap:
Bad o-ring will do it! Bigalsonline has some parts. I've always wanted to snoop around locally and see if I can find the same sized O-rings at another store like automotive, pool supply, water pumps R us, or similar stores. Heck, you could ask at the local hardware and see what they say. Just be sure to emphasize it is for aquatic use and MUST be non-toxic.
 
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