Rena xP3 (now xP-L) stopped working.... Suggestions?

[Deleted]

Greetings All,

I have already written to API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Inc.) asking if there is any place where I can purchase a new top/motor for my Rena xP3 (now API xP-L).This is the third time since August the filter has stopped working. This time, I can't blame it on a too dense sponge clogging it (which I replaced with a different product). I had just serviced the filter less than two weeks ago. The filter had to have stopped for a short time as the water in it was cold (working Wednesday -- not working at all Friday). Fortunately, the filter started right back up again after I serviced it. The filter was relatively clean when I serviced it Friday.

I did check prices for a new xP-L but reviews (Amazon) for the xp-L are not good....Apparently, they really are not the same quality? Regardless, there is no way I would order a new one from Amazon as that is where all of the negative reviews are. I would order from the Ohio company where I make a lot of purchases.... returns/exchanges so much easier (and shipping is free)....and I would get it quickly.

Any suggestions on who might stock parts? All sites I found have the motor/top out of stock. Lots of places stock the impeller, but I don't think that is the problem (although it might be?).

This time I did learn my lesson.... I am not adding more oxygen to the tank (by taking out water and letting the spray bar add more oxygen). I will be doing another partial water change though. So far, the fish are not showing any signs of stress (I also run an AquaClera 110 on this aquarium, have two air pumps and a Koralia ciruclation pump).

I would like to get the filter situation fixed by the end of the month. I am not looking to buy another brand - sticking with what I know. The xp3 is ten years old - and has been dependable up until recently.

No rush for an answer.... Hopefully, I will hear something back from API in the next few days. I will share here what they say.

Judy D.

[Carl]

Ten years is not bad for any canister filter.

I have seen no changes in the Filstar's construction, but then Amazon Reviews are not trustworthy.

Outside Resource:
aquariumopinions.com/2015/01/11/amazon-reviews-for-aquariums/

Planet Rena has about anything Rena you might need, they have these motor heads:
www.planetrenadirect.com/category/planetrena.parts.rena_filstar_xp_parts.canister_parts/

Carl

[Deleted]

Thanks Carl,

Planet Rena is out of the tops for the xP3/xP-L. I did write to them Friday asking when they expect to have them back in stock. I will let you know what I hear.

>> but then Amazon Reviews are not trustworthy.

Yes, I know.... The problem with the filters from Amazon is shipping/packing errors.... They are breaking them. I Just happened to check Amazon for pricing... Just out of curiousity.

Judy

[Carl]

Feb 15, 2015 17:50:21 GMT -5 @judy4fish said:

>> but then Amazon Reviews are not trustworthy.

Yes, I know.... The problem with the filters from Amazon is shipping/packing errors.... They are breaking them. I Just happened to check Amazon for pricing... Just out of curiousity.

Judy

OK, I was not sure as per the statement "Apparently, they really are not the same quality."
Rena has ceased including certain parts to keep cost lower for their preferred retailers but not the quality of the build (we unfortunately are not one of "preferred retailers" despite the many if not 1000s of referrals we have made for their Filstar Filters over the years based on our Stats software and feedback, consequently I think very little of them as a company, but this does not change the fact this is a first rate product).

Carl

[Deleted]

Hi Carl/All,

I did hear back from both API and Planet Rena today. API associate suggested I clean the impeller... Well, I don't need to tell you folks that I know that isn't the problem (I clean the impeller every two weeks). Planet Rena suggested I replace the gaskets. I sure wish I could buy just the gasket for the impeller housing as that is the one I need. I bought a whole set a while back as I was pretty sure the impeller gasket needed to be replaced that time - so I already have extra gaskets for the canister (the largest gasket) and disconnect (the small round ones).

Of course.... No one has the gaskets in stock right now - not even Planet Rena. I did order a set through Amazon (as my hubby has a Prime account/free shipping -- plus I can use my Discover Rewards $$ there saving me money).

Planet Rena will have the motor top back in stock later this week. It may be three weeks or more before I get the gaskets I ordered. I will just be sure to service the filter before we go out of town as it it towards the end of the two weeks when it stops. I serviced it Friday and all is well so far.

Edit 2-17-15: The purpose of this post was to tell what suggestions I heard back from API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Inc) and Planet Rena as I wrote to them BEFORE I posted here. I wrote to both API and Planet Rena on Friday.

[Carl]

Actually we do have the gaskets in stock as we carry many of the Filstar parts (not as much as Planet Rena though).
We also sell the Filstar Filters since we recommend these in our Aquarium Filtration article, but make no profit from these, but sell them as a customer convenience if customers are getting other supplies such as Filter Max, SeaChem, Wonder Shells, etc.

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Filstar.html#gasket

I am not sure the gasket though is the problem.
You can certainly tell if the impeller is the problem
Our Aquarium Filtration article has many Troubleshooting tips in each section, here is the section for canister filters:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Filtration.html#canistertrouble

Here is a quote about impellers:
"

a; Check inside the impeller housing with your little finger and feel for deformities, this is generally not repairable if found (Fluvals are notorious for impeller housing warping). Also make sure that the impeller does not free spin and locks before turning more than 360 degrees.

b; You can check for magnetic current by placing a screw driver in side the impeller housing with the impeller out and the motor ‘on’, you should feel a magnetic pull from all sides.

c; Make sure clean your impeller EVERY time you open the filter for servicing (if at all possible). This includes the impeller itself AND the inside walls of the "impeller well" (the hole the impeller sits inside of)."

Carl

[Deleted]

Thanks Carl,

I did look on AAP, but didn't see that you had the gaskets in stock. Sorry I missed it. If it looks like the gaskets won't be shipped from Amazon in a timely manor, I may order from AAP. I can always return the ones I get from Amazon.

I clean inside the impeller "walls" on all of my filters, too.

Your xP filters are very fairly priced.... I did check prices on many sites --- just in case (and ruled out Amazon completely even though they may have had lowest price).

It is always possible the two pouches of Nitra-Zorb were blocking the flow. I don't often have two Nitra-Zorb in the Rena. I usually have one Phos-Zorb and one Nitra-zorb. My Rena is exactly the minimum distance below the surface of the water (24 inches) - so flow isn't as much as when my son had the filter (he had a higher stand - a very ugly looking thing that we left down in Athens, OH). His xp3 on his 90 gallon has much more flow than my Rena.

Judy


a; Check inside the impeller housing with your little finger and feel for deformities, this is generally not repairable if found (Fluvals are notorious for impeller housing warping). Also make sure that the impeller does not free spin and locks before turning more than 360 degrees.



b; You can check for magnetic current by placing a screw driver in side the impeller housing with the impeller out and the motor ‘on’, you should feel a magnetic pull from all sides.



c; Make sure clean your impeller EVERY time you open the filter for servicing (if at all possible). This includes the impeller itself AND the inside walls of the "impeller well" (the hole the impeller sits inside of)."

[devonjohnsgard]

hmm. Considering AAP carries these parts and have tips for usage on their selling page to help, I surprised this is being asked. I'm sorry if I'm sounding rude, but this forum is paid for and ran by AAP. You're asking about one of the products they carry and telling AAP you are going to purchase the parts from Amazon.

If you are also considering other retailers, because of "free shipping", know they bundle the cost of shipping in the cost of the items. AAP does the same thing in their ebay store. It's just something for the people who are looking for the deal of "free shipping".

You know it has been explained Amazon deals hurts AAP's business everyday. If more people purchase from them, this forum and the information, which brought you to this forum will be GONE.

The Filstar line is right under the Filter section of the AAP website. There is also a Filtration article right under the article section, which talk about them...

[angelminx]

Hey Judy,

When I 1st joined the forum, my XP2 had quit working and I wasn't able to replace the motor (part unavailable at the time), Carl suggested reconfiguring it so that I used the Rio 1000 as the power source, instead.  Works like a charm!  And, if I remember correctly, cheaper than purchasing a new motor-housing unit!  I've got the Filstar attached to the Rio, with a coarse (I forget which number at the moment) FilterMax pre-filter leading into it, and then it returns thru the Vecton 2 UV, and back into the tank thru the universal intake (which I use as a return) that Carl sells.  I took out the Filstar's impeller, but out of habit, I still find myself cleaning the impeller well when I clean the filter (grin).  Note:  I just replaced the UV bulb recently, and I had to open the priming cap and add more water before the system would restart (I forgot at 1st).  The next time I replace the bulb, I'm going to see if my sister-in-law's Dad can help me remove the hoses (so I can clean them out), because I don't have any arm/wrist/hand strength and it takes me forever (with lots of struggling, grunting and straining) to do it myself.  I don't know how the hoses get so gunky !

Angelminx

[Carl]

The tip Angelminx mentioned is also in the "Aquarium Filtration article:

Reference:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Filtration.html

I have many times have simply placed a good power head water pump to the intake and the canister filter of many different brands was as good as new. As side bonus the re-starting of siphons was never an issue again and with the addition of a Filter Max Pre-filter, the canister filter was BETTER than new as this allowed for an easy way to quickly rinse of debris before it even went into the canister filters which in the end did their jobs better.

As for the tips I provided from this article, these are 99% sure, meaning if you are feeling a full electromagnetic pull with the screwdriver test, your motor head is OK, however if you feel deformities inside the impeller well, then this will not allow the impeller to spin properly.
If your pouches of Nitra-Zorb were blocking the flow, this can cause the pump head to over head and then cause the before mentioned deformities which unfortunately are fatal to the motor head

Carl

[Deleted]

Thanks,

I will step up servicing the filter to once a week....Right now, it is working - good flow. I will feel inside the impeller walls for deformities as I usually clean it with Q-Tips. Friday, when I serviced it, the motor/top was cool to the touch - so hopefully, it didn't over heat.

I am not familiar with the Rio pumps, so I looked them up....Definitely cheaper than a new motor top (smile).

Keeping my fingers crossed that a new gasket will fix the problem. I might as well replace the canister seal, too, since I already have a spare of those. Now I think they are providing a long piece, where as the back-up one I have is a connected piece.

The filter runs quietly, so I know the problem isn't the impeller. At least, from what I have read, if the impeller was bad, it would be noisy.

Judy

[devonjohnsgard]

Judy, why are you not taking EA/Carl's information seriously?

Carl has information on these filters based on 100s of uses. His information is the info you hope to find, when researching products.

Not to be too straight forward, but I feel at this point I need to be... Why are you on this forum if you don't want to show support and even go so far as being disrespectful to the people supporting you.

Please remember what this forum was founded on and who runs it.

Respectfully,
Devon

[Deleted]

First, let me say I am taking EVERY suggestion given here seriously. I asked for suggestions - and have been given some VERY good ones. I honestly have not had time to go back over and read all of the filter information again (I wasn't home most of the day today), but will do that soon.

Currently my Rena xP3 is working perfectly. I am going to service it again Friday (just serviced it last Friday). This time I am going to actually feel inside the impeller walls for deformities AS WAS SUGGESTED. I had cleaned the walls using Q-Tips before so did not actually feel for deformities. I will also do the test with the screw driver that Carl suggested.

I have looked back at my posts and none of them showed any disrespect. I only mentioned that right now, I don't think I need the Rio Pump (I wasn't familiar with those)...Nothing disrespectful about that.

Please accept my apology for anything I wrote you found offensive. I DID look to buy the gaskets on AAP, but didn't see them listed. I just missed it. When I did a Duck-Duck-Go search the next day to find a source that had them in stock. AAP did not come up in the search -- so I apologize again for not finding them on AAP. I suppose, I could order them from AAP right now -- and return the ones from Amazon when they arrive?

I do feel I have offered some good advice to people on this forum. I was invited to join.

Judy

[Carl]

I sent you a list.
As well we have repeated sent you these in PM and you simply chose to ignore us and then get mad or accusatory.

Good Luck with your aquarium & fish in the future and hope you can learn to read the information other provide you both in forums and in private