XP3 problems

[tennesseemom]

I bought my XP3 last November I think when Big Al's Online was having that awesome $85 for an XP3 sale. I've had no problems since November, but lately it's not putting out as much. The filter media is fine, there isn't any noise or rattling, I don't see any snails or other stuff in the impeller or when you look through the input/output holes. The hoses seem fine though they have some gunk in them. What should I do or check?

 

[jmhart]

What kind of fine filtration do use? Typcially when filters start to slow down, it's due to clogging of the fine filter pad and/or filter floss.

If it's a filter pad, you can try rinsing it. If that doesn't work or if you are using filter floss, replace it. Also, rinse out the mechanical filtration. You *can* rinse the biological media, but that's up to you. I rinse mine every once and a while, but mostly I just rinse the mechanical media and replace the filter floss.

One more note: Convential Wisdom says not to rinse with tap water, but rather with old tank water. I rinse with tap water. There was a thread about this a couple of weeks ago and just as many people rinse with tap as rinse with tank water...and nobody seems to have any problems either way.

 

[tennesseemom]

I have all the standard Rena XP3 filter media, it's all been replaced and all that throughout the months. Actually, taking out all the media and running with no baskets would be a good test. I'll try and do that later today.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

^ Good idea. Also (just in case) make sure that your hoses aren't bound or twisted in any way. I did that to myself once after doing maintenance.

 

[OgreMkV]

XP hoses are also clear. You might check if they are clogged from algae.

 

[fishorama]

I used too thick a layer of floss in mine, slowed it down. Have you cleaned the impeller in the top? I've only done it once or twice in a year. Oh, I see you have. Spray bar?

 

[tennesseemom]

It was the funk in the tubes. From the outside it didn't look too bad, but it was. Once I cleaned out the tubes, it's just like new.

Thanks guys!

 

[BoredAgain]

It was the funk in the tubes. From the outside it didn't look too bad, but it was. Once I cleaned out the tubes, it's just like new.

Thanks guys!

What did you use to clean out the tubes?

 

[OgreMkV]

Glad we could help. That reminds me, I need to clean mine... sigh.

 

[tennesseemom]

I duct taped together 2 tube cleaning brushes. Each was like a foot long, but together I was able to get half way in from each end of the tube. Gotta love "Duck" tape!