I just received my new Rena Filstar XP3 filter today. My original is 2+yrs old and still going strong even though I've done some damage to it. I have to say, Rena has made some excellent improvements! The biggest IMO, is the outlet pipe(s). Previously, these were push together pcs that had you worrying would come apart and leak water all over. Naturally to counter this, you would press them together hard which would result in cracking. Not anymore! For starters, the outlet pc. that comes over the back of the tank is one piece with the elbow attached. Instead of multiple tapered pieces, there is a short or long outlet pipe extension (3" or 6"). The spraybar is one piece (12") instead of the press together pieces. The outflow regulator is almost the same. Almost, except that like the outlet pc. that comes over the back of the tank and the short and long outlet pipe extensions, the female end has a flange (re-inforced lip) which obviously makes it less likely to crack but more impressively, accepts the two clips on the male ends of the other pieces so that it cannot pop off inadvertantly. The clips are a molded part of the pipe and are plastic but seem to be low profile enough not to be easily broken. The inlet pipe still has the press together pieces as extensions (not really a problem or worry since there is a vaccum which, if anything, is pulling the pcs. together), but the inlet pipe that goes over the back of the tank, again, is one piece with elbow and short extension. I could be wrong in saying that these pieces seem to be of better quality plastic than the older set-ups...maybe it's b/c it's new?
The instruction booklet is full color and fully detailed, plus written in multiple languages (my apologies for being an ignorant American and not knowing them all!).
Another change is the coordination of colors for inlet and outlet pipes. The quick disconnect has a blue/grey inlet and black outlet which are the same colors as the pieces for the inlet/outlet pieces/extensions/strainers/etc.... I would prefer all black, but it's a neat idea anyway.
The hose appears to be the same as does the little funnel and opening for the initial prime. The plastic hose clamps and suction cups are similar as well.
The media included 2 20ppi foams, 2 30ppi foams, 1 micro pad, and one bio-chem zorb.
Hope this info can benefit someone. I'm glad to see the changes and feel that these filters are even more bang for the buck (better value
).
The instruction booklet is full color and fully detailed, plus written in multiple languages (my apologies for being an ignorant American and not knowing them all!).
Another change is the coordination of colors for inlet and outlet pipes. The quick disconnect has a blue/grey inlet and black outlet which are the same colors as the pieces for the inlet/outlet pieces/extensions/strainers/etc.... I would prefer all black, but it's a neat idea anyway.
The hose appears to be the same as does the little funnel and opening for the initial prime. The plastic hose clamps and suction cups are similar as well.
The media included 2 20ppi foams, 2 30ppi foams, 1 micro pad, and one bio-chem zorb.
Hope this info can benefit someone. I'm glad to see the changes and feel that these filters are even more bang for the buck (better value
).
