Rena Smartfilter
- Thread starter musho3210
- Start date
http://www.rena.net/en_us/productCategory.asp?categoryname=FilterMedia
Personally, I think it's just overthought out so it can be overpriced (I should note that I have no idea what it's priced at- don't intend to find out)... Standard canister filters or an aquaclear HOB are all you'll ever need... and IMO the only media should ever need is cotton batting or something similar for bacteria to grow on, the absorbers, etc. are no substitute for water changes and IMO shouldn't be substituted for water changes.
* note that the above is applying to FW - in SW I have different opinions.
As for the dosing port - give me one good reason why you would need that.
Personally, I think it's just overthought out so it can be overpriced (I should note that I have no idea what it's priced at- don't intend to find out)... Standard canister filters or an aquaclear HOB are all you'll ever need... and IMO the only media should ever need is cotton batting or something similar for bacteria to grow on, the absorbers, etc. are no substitute for water changes and IMO shouldn't be substituted for water changes.
* note that the above is applying to FW - in SW I have different opinions.
As for the dosing port - give me one good reason why you would need that.
I don't know what a Rena Smartfilter is, but on my 40g mbuna tank I have a Penguin 200 Biowheel and a Rena Filstar XP3 canister. I really like the XP3. It's not HOB, it's a regular canister. I think mine's about 2-ish feet tall. It has 3 large baskets for media, so it fits tons of floss and biostars for LOTS of bacteria growth. It also has a shut off valve, so you only prime the filter once when you first set it up. It makes cleaning the filter (yes, I do take it apart and clean it biweekly) much faster when you don't have to re-prime it every time.
I certainly don't consider ANY kind of filter and/or media to be a replacement or substitution for water changes or tank maintenance, and I do a 30% change every week. That doesn't make me like the XP3 any less, though. In my experience, it's a fantastic filter, and it was VERY reasonably priced. I much prefer it to any other canister I've ever used.
I certainly don't consider ANY kind of filter and/or media to be a replacement or substitution for water changes or tank maintenance, and I do a 30% change every week. That doesn't make me like the XP3 any less, though. In my experience, it's a fantastic filter, and it was VERY reasonably priced. I much prefer it to any other canister I've ever used.
hmmm. petsmart seels them on their website where they also reviews on prducts posted by buyers. here's the link and read for yourselves some mixed responses. ive seen them; they look pretty unimpressive. i think emperors, penguins, and aquaclears got them beat.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441815970&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030112&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1176259851036&itemNo=22&In=Fish&N=2030112&Ne=2
http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441815970&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030112&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1176259851036&itemNo=22&In=Fish&N=2030112&Ne=2
echoofformless
Peat Advocate & Defender Of Snails
I wouldn't call those mixed responses. There are only three so far - which to me doesn't constitute a large enough sample to allow a hypothesis at this time.
But I will say this: even with the best products on earth, there are always a few people who get a malfunctioning unit. There are also many people in the world who are plain stupid and blame the product for the fact that they are dee dee dee. (I will never forget the person who gave a certain SACD a bad review on Amazon because they tried to play it in a regular CD player and it didn't work!) That first review seems to be a case of either a bad unit or a bad user, as the next two reviews don't indicate a problem with this product.
But until there are maybe ten solid reviews, I am withholding my judgment. If a good section of people are having bad experiences, then it indicates trouble. But one bad review out of only three isn't exactly the best sign.
I will only say that the Smartfilter seems like it might offer far more than a standard HOB filter, and if they work reliably and efficiently, they might just become a new standard of sorts.
It's too early to tell. And pricing is a rub because these are not available at Big Al's or Foster and Smith - so we're stuck with the in-store PetsMart prices for now. For all we know, Big Al's might start selling these at half of what PetsMart is charging. And if that is the case, you'd better believe I'll be checking one out.
But I will say this: even with the best products on earth, there are always a few people who get a malfunctioning unit. There are also many people in the world who are plain stupid and blame the product for the fact that they are dee dee dee. (I will never forget the person who gave a certain SACD a bad review on Amazon because they tried to play it in a regular CD player and it didn't work!) That first review seems to be a case of either a bad unit or a bad user, as the next two reviews don't indicate a problem with this product.
But until there are maybe ten solid reviews, I am withholding my judgment. If a good section of people are having bad experiences, then it indicates trouble. But one bad review out of only three isn't exactly the best sign.
I will only say that the Smartfilter seems like it might offer far more than a standard HOB filter, and if they work reliably and efficiently, they might just become a new standard of sorts.
It's too early to tell. And pricing is a rub because these are not available at Big Al's or Foster and Smith - so we're stuck with the in-store PetsMart prices for now. For all we know, Big Al's might start selling these at half of what PetsMart is charging. And if that is the case, you'd better believe I'll be checking one out.
I have one of the rena smart filter, 55 gallon one, it works ok have had no problem so far. the only thing i don't like is that the filters get clogged real quick withen a week to a week in a half. but other than that it does the job well.