Rena Filstar Filter Problem - Please help

J

jzkmom

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Jun 30, 2003
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I have a Rena Filstar XP2 Canister Filter on my 30 gallon long tank. Anytime the lights blink, the filter does not restart. We've had a lot of rain and bad weather lately and I have had to empty and reprime the filter every day to get it going again. The power has not even stayed out for any length of time, only blinked off and right back on. I never had this problem with the Emperor Filter that I used to use on this tank (it always restarted when the lights blinked).

Is there something wrong with my Filstar or do all canister filters do this? The only way to restart the filter is to empty the water out of the canister and start over with it, and then I have to hook up the python to add more water to the tank because repriming the filter drops the water level in the tank. This filter is driving me crazy. Anyone else have this problem? Is this normal for canister filters or is there something wrong with this one?
 
well, i dont see why you have to reprime it, unless you have your output above the water and when it shuts off it sucks back air and deprimes itself
Are u using the spraybar attachment?
 
because if you are, and you have the output spraying above the surface, then when it shuts off all the water that was being forced out drops back into the cannister via gravity and displaces the water in the cannister with air, and viola DEPRIME
 
The spraybar is about 2 inches below the top of the water level. The output is well below the water surface so it can't be sucking air. I have to reprime because I come home to a totally still tank, no movement so I know something is wrong. When the lights blink, the filter stops running. It will not restart unless I empty the water out of the canister, pour water through the intake spout, close the valve and plug it back in. If I skip any of these steps, the filter will not restart. Does your filter automatically restart after a power failure?
 
yeah, it has no problems
no leaks anywhere?
well...
you cant hear the filter running at all?
No grinding, lol, so to speak
can you reproduce the effect via unplugging it?
what about the power source.....i know its a long shot, but could it be the circuit its on perhaps?
If you pour water down the primer thingy does it spout out the output?
how long have you had this filter?
cause i know with filters that have been running for awhile get gunk built up around the impeller housing and such.
You could try removing a cleaning the impeller and the housing where the magnet sits.
 
Yes, I can reproduce the effect by unplugging the filter. I have tried that. When the filter was running normally, I unplugged the filter and plugged it right back in - and the filter did not restart.
It does the same if it is plugged directly into the outlet or if it is plugged into a surge protector strip.

Other than the filter not restarting by itself, I have no problems with the filter - no leaking and no noise. The filter is only about 9 months old, but it has done this since I got it. Just about 2 weeks ago, we cleaned the entire filter housing, impeller, and took the hoses apart and cleaned the inside of them.
 
I know this is totally a bandaid and not a fix to the actual problem, but a UPS would stop this from happening. I don't think it would be a bad idea if you have frequent power problems. Get one for your computer as well.

Sam
 
It sounds like you're getting an air-lock. Check and make sure there is no air in the hoses after you prime the canister and/or after it is running. You can just release the quick disconnect valve, then wiggle the hoses up and down until the air escapes. You might need to take the cap of the intake pipe to let the air out. Reconnect the quick disconnect valve, check for air in the hoses again, then turn it on again. If the magnetic impellar is still stuck, try wiggling the outtake hose for about 10 seconds. Sometimes it might take about 10 seconds for the magnetic impellar to kick in.
 
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I would contact Rena about it. There's a 2yr gaurantee so you may be able to send it back. I have never had that problem with my XP3 and I've had it over 2 yrs.
After filling the inlet hose through the prime spout, you flip the quick disconnect lever down, hear some bubbling (directions say wait 2 minutes) and then plug it in. This should allow the air in the line to escape. I would suspect a leak too but you've already checked...? Hope you figure it out soon.
 
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