Equipment Review and Discussion :: I got reamed by the Rena rep!! (long-ish)

[SpotsMama]

I hope that lousy attitude doesn't keep anyone from getting an XP. They are still great filters - for turtles, anyway - I can't say how well they'd work for fish!

[hobie]

No,I just had some questions for him before I purchase the XP4. BUT, I didnt get that far because he said "DONT" and he was just trying to talk me out of it.

[scripta_elegans]

Spotsmama- I think you should tell the company. You'd think they'd want to sell filters to as wide a demographic as possible, wouldn't you?

[grey goose]

All canister filters are designed to work with full tanks, I think the maximum hose length for the output on the water side is 5-6" below the rim. Any more and you are technically overworking the motor but not by very much (you wont burn out the motor).
The Rep is actually right, but he didn't have to be a jerk about it.......

[SpotsMama]

Just found this on the Rena parts outlet store (Rena OEM) on Planet Rena:

Inlet Pipe Extension (4pk) (H)
$8.99
841563-00
Additional inlet extensions can be used to increase the intake length or they can also be used to increase the length of the discharge tube to reach deeper into tanks that that are not completely filled such as turtle tanks.


Seems the manufacturer has come around. They just need to communicate with their service reps.

[grey goose]

Fluval hasn't caught on yet. I suspect that's why their filters are so hard to prime.....

[octpusgirl8]

I have a Fluval MSF and have never had a problem priming it. I do have it located under the tank so that the siphon effect works, i'm sure it would be a pain if the tank and filter were on the same level. I'm going to be getting a new, bigger canister filter sometime this year and i haven't decided whether to get another Fluval or to go with the Rena, i have really like the Fluval but everybody seems to think the Rena is the best way to go...decisions decisions

[grey goose]

Being a glutton for punishment, I went out and got a Fluval FX-5 (the tax refund was burning a hole in my pocket). I've got it cycling right now in my little 35 gal. tank with some Biozyme. I'll be setting it up in my 90 gal. in 2 weeks. The MSF's are slightly improved, they have bigger motors and a larger impeller, which may improve the priming process. I have the older style Fluvals and I do like them, the only complaints I have is the priming and gasket failure (you have to lube them with a little silicone once in a while or they will start leaking).
The only complaint I've ever heard with the Filstars is the hoses are hard to put on the pump when you first set them up......

[pitym]

Marisa that is a great idea. I actually thought about duct tape/good for everything. But my turtles would probably eat it.
I still have not gotten the replacement parts either. Maybe I will check into Spotsmama's link and just order extras. Thanks

[marisa]

On another site they're singing the praises of the Fluval FX-5...

Hope your new parts come soon, pitym.

[grey goose]

Oh, I think Fluval got it right this time. This filter is a MONSTER! Everything is huge on this thing. I have it running in my little 35 gal, and it's like a glass washing machine, the water is churning, even with the outputs pointed down, and the intake is a big as my hand! I hope it's not too much for my 90 gal. The kids may think there is a tsunami inside their tank.......

[SpotsMama]

I'm a totally brand-loyal XP fan, but I'm curious about the Fluvals. Are they as easy to setup and clean as the XPs?

[grey goose]

They are probably about the same, with baskets and all. The old style had handles that could break off if forced, but they fixed that on the new ones. The FX-5 is a totally new design.
Here's the manual and spec's (PDF file):
http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/FX5_user_manual_EN.pdf

The '05 series can be found here:
http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/sub_ca ... BCAT=10726

[steve]

I had a previous model (304) and it leaked... frequently. The handles cracked and after I replaced the case, the main lever broke. The media was OK to clean... I liked the flexible hoses and their nozzle design but they were difficult to clean.

[grey goose]

Oh yea, the ribbed hoses. They are very flexible, but the gunk builds up in them. After I clean out the filter the stuff would shoot out of the output! I solved that by putting my net over the output to catch it when I restart the filter.