Equipment Review and Discussion :: Cleaning XP3

[ACF&RESLOVER]

I have my XP3 for about 6-7 months now. I clean it every 4-6 weeks depending on my free time and the strength of the water flow. I also clean all the plastic tubing of any build up every 2-3 months.

When I clean the filter I replace the Bio Chem Zorb, wash out all the filter pads and other media in water from the tank (thoroughly), and dump out all the built up waste, uneaten lettuce etc..)in the filter. I basically reprime from the start with an empty and clean filter. So I am doing a very thorough job.

Despite that, I seem to be getting a slight loss of water flow strength over time. It's still good, but it's just not as good as it was in the beginning or after my first cleaning or two.

I am wondering if there are any other parts I should be cleaning once in awhile (impeller, motor area etc....) where there may be some build up of waste that's slowing things down a little. If so, I don't even see how to get to any of these areas. The input/output area where the tubes come in seems solid.

What am I missing?

1. Should I be cleaning other areas?

2. What areas?

3. How do I get to them?

4. Is this normal and OK?

The filter is still doing a good job, but I want to head off any problems before they happen.

[ACF&RESLOVER]

Well, I just figured out how to get into the impeller area and cleaned it. There was some build up of waste, but nothing I saw that should be contributing to any slowdown in the water flow. When I turned the filter back on, it was basically the same.

I almost had a panic attack though.

When I removed the impeller, the little black rubber piece on the inside end got stuck inside the compartment and I couldn't remove it. So I had to shove the metal impeller piece back into it in order to put the impeller back into place. No problem, but for the moment I thought I was screwed. I hope at some point I can get it out if for some reason I need to.

In any event, since that was not the problem (and it's not a major problem now anyway), if anyone has any ideas please let me know.

[TheComputerGremlin]

Well, you'll have an initial decrease of performance as with any electrical object. Your car probably will never run as well as when you drove it off the lot. It's just the natural progression of machines.

That being said, check your pads. That white microfilter pad, if you haven't already tossed it, a lot of people say that's what slows down the Rena. They are supposed to be replaced monthly or weekly or something ridiculous. It's not needed, so try getting rid of it and seeing if your flow is increased. Also, the black pads. If those have gotten clogged, that will slow you down. You should probably replace those at least every six months, definitely give them a good rinse (I use the power spray on my shower head, cleans them out really well). And if you are cleaning out the tubes, I can't imagine any place you're missing. The tubes into the filter are very large, large enough to stick a rag in, and other than that, there are no places that have small holes that could get clogged.

[SpotsMama]

I use the white microfilter pad and change it out monthly along with the bio chem zorb. I think it helps keep the water crystal clear.

If you are using the spray bar, and your water is hard, you could have a buildup of calcium around the holes in the spray bar that will slow it down.

I've been using my XP3 for over a year now and the water flow is still good. I don't recall how strong it was initially so it may be less than it was, but it still seems ok.

[ACF&RESLOVER]

I stopped using the microfilter pad after the first 2 months because I felt it definitely slowed down the water flow after a few weeks and I didn't notice too much difference in water quality when I stopped.

I'm not using the spray bar.

It's really not that bad at this point. I just noticed some degree of weaker water flow. Maybe it's time to change pads instead of just cleaning them.

THanks.