RENA Filstar XP 2 Canister Filter question

[Anaxus]

I am about to buy a RENA Filstar XP 2 Canister Filter for my 29gallon tank. My question is do I need to buy any media or does it come with it.
If I have to buy media what media is the best to buy for it.

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

It comes with 4 sponges, 1 micron pad, and some ceramic rings. You might want to purchase a second pack of rings though(bio filtration).

 

[jeffro426]

My XP3 game with the 4 sponges, the micron pad, but no ceramic rings...guess it depends on where you buy it??

 

[Anaxus]

Thanks for the info.
I was going to be getting it from big al's
Are the stars or the rings better?

 

[jeffro426]

Personally i see no difference in the two...as long is it give bacteria something to cling too it will work...get whatevers cheapest

And for what its worth, ive seen people throw legos, plastic army men, cut up hose, etc in there and its worked just fine!

 

[beviking]

I bought my XP3 over a year ago from BigAls and as the add in Drs Foster & Smith says, it came with micro pad, 2 coarse, 2 fine pads, and a Bio-Chem Zorb pouch. No rings for me either? Must be NJ has some inside connections?
If you want cheap (other than army men which do work) go with Eheims Ehfimech. They're non-porous ceramic rings that go for around $6 U.S. for 1 liter. Porous rings and stars will advise you to replace a certain portion of the media after so many months. This is because the pores get clogged and the stuff inside the pores breaks down, adding to your biological demand. The non-porous stuff just "sheds" any film developing on it so it doesn't need replacing.

 

[lee914]

Mine did not come with rings either, just 4 spomges and carbon

 

[fishfrenze]

i just got mine from Big Als for Xmas. I did come with rings...maybe they come with their newer version of the XP3 but not the older one??

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

You have to be a member of the vip club...

 

[beviking]

Doh! Is that BigAls vip club (which I am a member!) or the special Hose Cleaners Club?!?

I wonder what the chances are that if I call and complain they will send me some rings? I won't do it b/c I wouldn't use them (assuming they're the porous ones).