Habitat - Indoor :: air in filter?

[imetazoa]

hi everyone,

i just got a rena filstar xp3. initially when i set it up it was extremely silent. after a few hours some air entered into the filter and now it makes a trickling noise. is it OK for a little air to be in there?

i use to use a zoomed 501 filter. then it burnt out *i believe* because it got air in it. then i got another 501 and again the same thing happened. now i am paranoid about air.


thanks for your help

[Daniel3507]

try to shake it around a little.

[imetazoa]

yeah i tried shaking it around. the air wasnt escaping. i dont mind the noise but will it break the pump?

[Daniel3507]

i dont think so. as long as there isnt too much air in it

[Chrisbarnett]

I think you have a faulty seal somewhere. Check where the light blue motor housing meets the charcoal colored canister of media, put some vaseline on that seal. Check all the intake and outflow connections where the tubes slide over to make a connection.

I had the trickling sound you were talking about with my XP1, and I found out the hose on the intake wasn't sealed properly and was letting some air trickle in.

[madmax1]

prob not a good seal , i have 3 xp4 filters running for 1 year so far no problems , as for vaseline that is not a good idea because vaseline will eventually break down the rubber seals never use vaseline . u have to use Silicone grease, It is commonly used for lubricating and preserving rubber parts, such as O-rings. Additionally, silicone grease does not swell or soften the rubber.ALSO for the same reason we cant use vaseline on other RUBBER products it breaks them down.

[Chrisbarnett]

prob not a good seal , i have 3 xp4 filters running for 1 year so far no problems , as for vaseline that is not a good idea because vaseline will eventually break down the rubber seals never use vaseline . u have to use Silicone grease, It is commonly used for lubricating and preserving rubber parts, such as O-rings. Additionally, silicone grease does not swell or soften the rubber.ALSO for the same reason we cant use vaseline on other RUBBER products it breaks them down.

LOL, true about the vaseline, but for use once I don't see how it would do a lot of damage. But if you can get silicon grease, go for it.

I have never used vaseline or any lube/grease on a seal yet because i haven't needed to.

[Squishy]

It depends on the type of rubber. O-rings are usually neoprene, which is unaffected. In fact, petroleum jelly is often used in transmission rebuilds because it has no adverse effects on transmission components (including neoprene seals).

I do like silicone grease though - it's a good thing to have around.

[madmax1]

cool thanks for that info, its good to use a coating once in a while between cleanings to keep the seals in good shape . good luck with you filter though!

[Chrisbarnett]

It depends on the type of rubber. O-rings are usually neoprene, which is unaffected. In fact, petroleum jelly is often used in transmission rebuilds because it has no adverse effects on transmission components (including neoprene seals).

I do like silicone grease though - it's a good thing to have around.

Thats interesting info squishy. i was under the impression all filter seals were rubber, good to see they have made a change over to what i can only assume is more durable neoprene.

[madmax1]

here is a helpful site if u ever need it

http://rena-aquatics-outlet.planetrena. ... Parts.html

[madmax1]

FROM THAT SITE

Canister O-Ring #28 $7.99 $5.99 On Sale! 840327-00
Quantity
The Canister O-ring completes the seal between the motor and the filter canister. Air bubbles or canister leaking are signs you need to replace this seal. On averages seals need to be relaced every 18-36 months.

[Chrisbarnett]

here is a helpful site if u ever need it

http://rena-aquatics-outlet.planetrena. ... Parts.html

Haha, it is a helpful site, I actually have it bookmarked already! lol

I like that rena has such easily available parts, I am thinking of ordering the jet nozzle for my XP1 since I don't have it.

[madmax1]

U IN CALIFORNIA HA! IM IN NEW YORK .CAN,T SLEEP 12:45 AM HERE HAVE A GREAT NIGHT SEE U AROUND ON THE SITE == DIDNT REALIZE THE TIME HAVE A GOOD ONE

[Squishy]

Thats interesting info squishy. i was under the impression all filter seals were rubber, good to see they have made a change over to what i can only assume is more durable neoprene.

Well, neoprene is a type of rubber. I'm not aware of very many natural rubber o-rings still in use, although perhaps a really cheap filter may use them (that is, if it even is cheaper to manufacture natural rubber seals).

From what I have been told, petroleum jelly (Vaseline) will attack natural rubber and latex. There are probably more rubber compounds that are affected, but I don't know them specifically.