Rena XP3

[mostlycichlids]

I have a rena XP3 on my 125g. Yesterday I noticed something strange. When I put the top on (lid with motor etc.) It wasn't priming blowing water and air out. I took it apart and cleaned everything checked the gaskets. Put it back together and still the same. I unplugged it and it started overflowing. I took and lifted the lock lever, after cleaning the mess up. I noticed with the lever up it was fully primed and working correctly. After moving the lever up and down slowly it finally primed with the lever down and no leaking. Has anyone had this problem before?

 

[powerkit]

Not yet, I wonder what would have caused that to happen.

 

[davidtcb1]

Did you let it fill up before you plugged it in the first time?

 

[jpappy789]

This happened to me the first time I primed. I unplugged the cord, filled up the cannister, flipped down the lock, and plugged it in...it started priming then.

 

[Rallysman]

only time that happened to me was when I had the top "bucket" lid on upside down

 

[mostlycichlids]

Hmm...the only thin I can think is that the top basket lid is not setting up against the rubber seal correctly. The filter has been up and running for more than a year now witrh no problems. I clean it every two weeks. I think I am going to switch tops with my xp2 then I will know if it is the top or the piece with the lever.

 

[davidtcb1]

Yeah, probably just a fluke thing where something didn't get seated right, etc. I've had 3 of them running on two different tanks for a couple years or more now and never one problem.

 

[bert]

I just bought a Rena filstar XP 4 after moving to a new house and getting ready to restart my 100 G. this is the first rena filter i have purchased, it is still in the box . any tips on setting up and running this filter ?

 

[OldMan47]

Carefully follow the directions about how much tubing to leave when you make your cuts. Too much can cause problems with priming and too little can put stress on the connection seals that make the hose head hard to seal properly. Basically you leave enough extra to make the connection point a bit loose on the hoses so nothing pulls on anything but not much more than that.
A mistake I made on my first Rena was to try too hard to conceal the filter. I ended up with a filter that is so hidden it is hard to get out into the open for cleaning.

 

[bert]

thanks oldman47 the instructions say to leave an extra 4 inches beyond the measurement. does using both full length of hose cause any problems assuming there is no bends or excess slack. or having 1 hose longer than the other ?