Habitat - Indoor :: Brand New Rena Filstar XP3 DISASTER!

[talal]

I just got it yesterday, will install today when I get home. Hopefully it works out this time, if not then I'll try to check the o-ring like steve said.

[talal]

I ordered another one and guess what it went okay for like an hour, after an hour it started leaking from the same spot! where the power cord exits the head. This is probably fixable but the thing is ordering something new and then having issues just seems weird. If it's having issues now it will in the future aswell! Also I think that the Filstars probably aren't what they used to be anymore. They are probably using cheaper material or something. I've seen numerous posts with the exact same leak issue. Anyway, I am returning this one aswell and ordering an Eheim 2075 I found a good deal for it online for $200 might as well go for it.

[devilduck]

Can you post up a quick picture of the area?

[talal]

I wrapped it up already to ship out about to go drop it off. You cant really tell much in the pictures it looks the same as it would if water wasnt coming out. The water comes out from the power cord exit area and clings on to the power cord and drips where there is a curl in the wire. It's dangerous!

[katie_turtle]

Sorry to hear about the problems. I'm on the ledge of getting a new XP3... I have 2 old ones that work fine but I want a backup ready. The o-ring seals could be a point of leakage for any canister. The hoses/extensions are another. Priming takes a few tries to get used to, especially with a basic canister filter.

Steve, I've got an XP3 on the way from DrsFosterSmith right now, too, so I'll let you know how my experience goes. I'll also make a point of opening it up and verifying if the o-rings are seated properly, and lubed if need be. O-rings are the source of all life's problems, from your filter to the Challenger.

I also plan to set mine up, at the very least initially, in some sort of plastic tank for exactly that reason. I heard that some canisters can be tricky to set up so they don't leak the first few times until you get used to it - though the XPs are supposed to be pretty easy. I worry about little accidents, too - their names are Sandy and Tasha, my cats, lol. Sandy is a bastard just for fun, so I fully expect him to be a problem child.

[steve]

I've had these filters so long that there are small stress cracks in the intake pipes. There is a very small amount of air that gets sucked in through the cracks, but over time it will force me to reprime the filter.

Definitely use a plastic tank. You are right that the leaks might not be initially noticeable... which can be disastrous overnight.

[talal]

Yes my second Rena XP3 Leaked as well! Idk why though, Im guessing the newer models dont have their O rings properly lubed or something. I just returned my second one and got a refund, even though the problem is probably fixable I just don't want to fix it simple. A new filter shouldn't be leaking regardless of the reason no matter what! I spent 200 bucks on a Eheim 2075 came with all the media 5 buckets worth of media! and its super quiet and efficient. I love it, no leaks

[steve]

Oh man, thanks for the heads up.

[talal]

So did anybody have any luck with their new rena xp3 filters?

[sweety10189110]

I had the same problem as you did with my XP-4. Put it on a bucket and raise it up. Should take care of the problem.

[talal]

To hell with Rena, I returned them both and bought an eheim 2075, its super quiet + effective

[devilduck]

Wow that sucks to hear that Rena's quality went down the drain. Going to stop recommending them from now on.
When my XP3 fails it probably time to go with the FX6.

[VeipaCray]

You can't go wrong with one of the large eheim classic series or the FX5/FX5 from fluval.