Habitat - Indoor :: filter proble, rena xp3

[squirtles mom]

I am continuing to have problems with this filter, I called the miserable man at the help desk, and he said if it is used for a turtle that is my problem because the tank is not filled to the top. He said the the people who don't have problems with it are lucky and there is nothing he can do to help me. The filter is just not working any more.. So I need to get a new one. Zoo Med says they have a external filter just for turltle tanks, is anyone familiar with this brand? I would probably need to get two, or can anyone recommend one that is as good as the rena.

[DavidY]

The Zoo Med turtle filters are way too small for a full grown RES unless you don't mind cleaning the filter twice a week and doing water changes a lot. How long have you had the XP3? Have you tried calling the place you bought it from and try to deal with just them? I suggest if you have to deal with the manufacturer directly that you don't mention that you use it on a turtle setup. It really shouldn't matter to them. The filter is being used on an aquarium and should still be covered by warranty. That guy is just being a complete idiot.

I'm a little nervous now 'cause I just ordered my XP3 and it's arriving today. I hope I don't have to deal with their customer support. I may have to hurt him.

[squirtles mom]

I have had the xp3 since April, and when it works it is great. It works for a couple of weeks then stops so I clean everything prime it again and it works. this last time though I can't getting working and I am going on vacation in two weeks. I bought it online, I don't even think I have the reciept anymore (stupid me) I don't even remember which place I got it from.

The guy told me that because the tank is filled to the top (even though mine is pretty filled) I am going to have problems.

I just don't know what to do at this point, (feeling sick to my stomache)

[steve]

How long have you had the filter?

[squirtles mom]

Since May of this year.....

[squirtles mom]

I made a mistake in my last post,

He said since I didn't have the water filled to the top, air would continue to get in the filter, I feel he is full of it.

[steve]

Just a bit of a flash back....

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8556
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=78098

Anyway, so the motor doesn't run at all?

[Twoster]

how many turtles is your xp3 cleaning up after?..i own an xp3 as well, and luckily, have never had a problem with it (yet)*knocks on wood..

did you try cleaning, removing all water from the inside, and try priming it all over again?..

hope it works out for ya..

[squirtles mom]

Right now the motor is humming, but nothing happens after I prime it and plug it in,

I am thinking one of two things, the motor is humming but maybe it is not strong enough to get the water moving, I don't know how long it was running when it stopped working, I woke up in the morning and it wasn't working, but it was when I went to bed. Or air is getting in some how, all the tubing looks fine though.

I do remember that post, looks like this guy didn't get the memo. I just wanted him to troubleshoot with me. What an [---].

[squirtles mom]

I only have one res. I clean the thing out and prime it everytime this happens. I think I am going to undo all the tubing and clean it and re do it, I just don't know what else to do.

[Twoster]

did ya remove/untwist the circular piece on the motor lid and clean?..like where the magnet/propeller thing is..haha sorry im not sure what to call these parts..

[marisa]

Squirtles mom, did you check to make sure the media baskets were seated properly? Just about every time I can remember that the motor hummed but the filter wouldn't work was because something wasn't fit together properly, be it the baskets, the gasket around the top, whatever.

When the filter is working, do you have any problems with air in it (it would make a kind of spitting, whooshing sound periodically)?

[DavidY]

I'm not sure what kind of motor they use but if it's the magnetic impeller type, sometimes as they get older they can get stuck during startup. You can try turning it off wait a second and turn it on again. If that doesn't work, then try opening it up and just turn the impeller blades a little, then put it back together and try again.

[SpotsMama]

I've been running my XP3 continuously since September and never had a problem. Once, though, when I took it apart to clean all the hoses I re-attached the hoses backwards (or something) and it did what yours is doing - just hummed and nothing else happened. I got the instruction book out and reconnected everything very carefully just like it said and then it worked fine.

This is probably too easy - but you have to do these things in the right order or it won't work: (1) no water in canister (2) lever on canister in "up" position (3) fill the intake tube with water through the opening at the top of the tube (4) screw the cap onto the top of the intake tube firmly (5) lower the lever on the canister and wait for it to fill with water (6) plug it back in.

If air is getting into the intake tube, you can seal the joints above the water line with electrical tape.

The guy on the help desk is a jerk. Rena's own literature describes how you can add extra sections to the intake pipe if you need to for a turtle tank where the water doesn't go all the way to the top.

[squirtles mom]

Thank you all so much, I have done everything that has been suggested, I think I just got a lemon, especially since I have had problems since day one.

Tommorrow I am just going to pull it all apart and put it back together and try again. I'll keep you posted.