Equipment Review and Discussion :: Canister Filter Question(s).

[Pizza]

This may sound like a simple question, but I'd like some clarity on it, on a canister filter, can you submerge the spraybar outlet pipe (the pipe where the water comes out) into the water? From the manual, it doesn't say, and it looks like you keep it above, but can you put it into the water, and if so, do you submerge it? The turtles might like water hitting them, but at the same time it might be noisy, so...

Secondly, is it better or worse to use the inlet strainer (the thing at the end of the intake to block out big things) in turtles? Since turtle waste is a lot bigger than fish waste, would it be better to not use one, and just leave the pipe open, or should I use it anyways (if the filter isn't supposed to take in big waste things or something).

Lastly, what are some good types of filter media? I just bought a Rena xP4, and there's a one or two empty baskets, so what are some good types of media to throw in, and is it better to have more biological media (stars and rings), or chemical media?

[steve]

Yes, you can submerge the spray bar however it won't agitate water surface much. You'll get less oxygenation and a potentially oily buildup on the water surface.

I haven't heard of any problems with inlet strainers, though there is always a potential for problems. Don't expect any filter to suck up intact waste from a turtle, with or without a strainer. I'd stick with it.

For the filter... I'd add some biomedia. Chemical media can be expensive, but worth it if your water quality requires it.

[Spookster]

With the XP spraybar what I do is put it under the water and point the holes at an angle toward the surface of the water. This causes it to agitate the surface of the water without having to be noisy.

[Muirner]

i agree with spookseter, (and i can take pics if desired)

What i do is, i have my discharge (spray bar) submirged, and the holes pointing up to the surface, but back to the back of the tank, this keeps the water aggitated. Also it dosent disturbe the log that mary kate chills on.

The only thing was, the spray bar wasnt long enough, even with the extension drop for the spray bar, so what i did was take 1 link off the intake tubing and put it between the fitting where the hose sits, and the extension that goes to the spray bar. I also fit the regulator inbetween.

As far as it comes to the strainer. DO use it, please! Someone had theirs off trying to "suck up the bigger stuff" and their turtle got stuck to it and died.

As far as media setup goes here is how i have it along with many other people, relize you have an extra basket for media:

Bottom basket - Course black pads. ranging from having the biggest holes, to the smallest holes. biggest on bottom, smallest on top.

Second basket up - Bio media. I use Biomax rings. I'm looking for some stars, and some seachem matrix rocks. Yours come with stars in the package. So i'd put 1/2 of them here, and 1/2 a bag of biomax rings. (i have all my rings here)

In the 3rd basket - i'd add any other bio media you'd like. Things like more stars, rings, and matrix rocks. You can also add a chemical to this stage if you'd like, but that's reserved for the top basket.

TOP basket - Carbon on the bottom side, and then the white almost polyester "water scrubber" will be on the top.

Let me ask, where did you get your filter? Petsmart will pricematch the filter and make it MUCH MUCH cheaper. Also, have you set it up yet? If not try and find out how to make the hosing slide over the fittings easier, i literally pealed the skin off my palm putting the hosing on.

[Pizza]

I haven't set it up yet, I'm still working on my tank stand, so right now I have to do daily water changes, it's tedious, but what can I do?

And I bought my xP4 for 211 CAN dollars (including tax), which translates into 181.46 US dollars, from a small privately owned fish shop (there was no ad). Pet supplies in Canada are on the whole, a lot more expensive than in the US, and the PetSmart here charges 349.99 + tax (319 USD) on their xP4, so I didn't bother comparing prices.

Well thanks for the advice, I'll let you know if any more concerns arise.

[Muirner]

HOLY LORD 319 USD!! i woulda bought one and shipped it to ya, dang.

[Pizza]

Yeah, I only found one place all around town that sold a Large Turtle Dock, it was the last one, and didn't seem like anyone touched it for a long time, and that was $ 49.00 CAN + tax, which translates into 44.67 USD.

My 250w Stealth Heater cost almost the same, $ 43.76 USD
A large can of ReptoMin, $ 18.23 USD
A ReptiSun 10.0 UVB $ 18.92 USD
The cheapest place I could find my 90 Gallon Tank, $ 182.32 USD
Then there's the little things, totalled about another $ 30 USD

And this was after running around town looking for the best prices, if I just bought things all from PetSmart or somewhere, the total cost would probably be 30-50% more.

To find the Canadian prices, multiply the above numbers by 1.14, then multiply by 0.94 to subtract the tax.

[Pizza]

Another few questions came up regarding my Canister Filter.

So, which type of chemical media is better, from Rena, they have "Nitra-Zorb", and "Phos-Zorb". Nitra is only for Freshwater, and makes nitrates (duh, ), while it says "Phos-Zorb" is for Freshwater and Saltwater, and eliminates phosphates and silicates. Or should I stick to the basic "Bio-Chem Zorb", which is basically just better carbon with more features?

If they're all good and usable, would it be good to put them all in, and which order would work best (unless having more than one type of chemical media would be bad)? If so, can I put more than one bag of Chemical Media in a basket? or is it like a one per basket thing?

For the BioMedia, should I dedicate one or two baskets for BioMedia? And would it be better to have the stars, rings, or both?

Is there any harm if I put in too much stuff? Will the water flow clog or something? This mainly regards my earlier question about multiple Chem Medias.

Lastly, in the instruction manual, the pictures always have the stars and rings together, does it matter if I should have them both together, or apart?

[Pizza]

Another question came up, many pieces of BioMedia should I put per basket? The whole bag? More until it fills up? Less?

[SpotsMama]

The more the better.

[Pizza]

Can anyone shed some light on my questions above two posts?

Thanks.

[SpotsMama]

For very specific questions like those, why don't you contact Rena? Here's a website for them with a "contact us" button.

http://www.planetrena.com/Rena-XP-Filstar-Filters.html

When I got my XP3 I just put in media exactly like the directions said. For bio-media, I filled up one basket with a combination of stars and rings. Since it works so well, I have not been inclined to change anything.

[Pizza]

I see, well that's a good idea, thanks.

[marisa]

At last someone bought the XP4. I'll be interested in knowing how you like it.

For the chemical media, if you use it, I'd just use the activated carbon. It's cheaper. But the biomedia and the mechanical media (sponges) are the most important.

[Muirner]

with the included sponges i didnt have a whole lot of build up on the black ones when i cleaned my XP3 this month. This is with 2 RES's. Although the water was gross everything else was pretty well ok.

I did knowtice though, that the white "water scubber" on the top may need to be replaced, but i rinsed it clean for this month. Then again i'm going to ask for SeaChem Matrix rocks, and maybe Ceramic Stars for christmas..