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

[talal]

So I ordered a Rena XP3 brand new from drsfostersmith.com for $110. It arrived yesterday, it was a hassle to put all the pipes together etc... but anyway I guess there is no way around it gotta do that pretty much for all filters. Once connected it took me a while to prime it since I have no experience with external filters at all. Once I primed it and all it was good to go the filter was working great until I noticed my cat sitting right by the filter and looking at it. I wondered what was up and as I went to check it out, there was a damn leak and where? the water was leaking out of the hole where the power cord wire comes out. I was like [!!!]!!! a quick google search showed that other people have had similar problems as well. I'm sure this filter works pretty good, I saw a bunch of good reviews here and on other forums before I went ahead with my purchase but I have been extremely disappointed specially since it was a BRAND NEW product! That is so Lame and Unprofessional. Anyway I am going to send this one back and never buy a Rena filter again. I have been looking and I am more inclined towards the Eheim 2217 Filter. I have a 55 gallon tank and I am open to suggestions. I am getting my turtles on Saturday at the Reptile convention in Arlington, I want to have the perfect setup before I get them I already got the other necessities. Please fill me in, Thanks!

[devilduck]

I owned 2 XP3 and never experienced an issue, one is 7 years old, but I did buy a Eheim 2217 off Amazon a month back and it leaked! I guess there are bad apples in every bunch.

[talal]

I believe the new XP3's being made are not good quality anymore. I'm gonna go for the Eheim 2217 and test my luck.

[talal]

I believe the new XP3's being made are not good quality anymore. I'm gonna go for the Eheim 2217 and test my luck.

[annar]

My first experience with an XP3 didn't go well, either. I had a hard time priming it and then there was leakage. My brother-in-law thought there was a piece missing. That one went back. When I ordered a XP4 through Amazon, it arrived with one of the output pipes slightly crushed. I suspect UPS had more to do with that, though. Anyway, it's a pity because I really like the Rena design and the reviews are so good. Good luck with the Eheim.

[talal]

Yeah it looks easy to clean and has amazing reviews. What kind of filter are you using right now?

[steve]

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.

[talal]

You're right steve, I researched and learned that the O ring is where it leaks, I could go to home depot and buy a new one and fit it in but then again I paid for a new filter I shouldn't be doing this, atleast not right away! .. I just returned the XP3 it's on its way to the vendor. I've been reading and even saw a demo of the Fluval FX5 on youtube yesterday and it really seems like an awesome filter. The price is kind of high but I would end up using it forever, even when I upgrade to a bigger tank.

[steve]

The o-ring probably just needed a little lube, no need to replace. It's actually been a few years since the rings on my filter have been lubed. FX5 is a great filter, but the price has gone up in recent months... so it's not as great a value as it previously was.

[talal]

Hmmm I already sent it back but I was also thinking about getting another XP3 at the NARBC tomorrow in Arilington. Since it costs $100 and the FX5 is $300. I might just do that! Also do you use any additional media other than what is provided?

[steve]

I've added bio media and Purigen. Here are some recommended configurations: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145

[annar]

Sorry, I didn't get back hear sooner to answer your question, talal. Right now I'm using a canister from the Marineland C series that I got a good deal on. So far, so good, but eventually I'd like to try another XP3 or 4 or a Fluval (if I can find it at a decent price).

[talal]

I ordered another rena xp3, hopefully this one wont leak ! *fingers crossed*

[steve]

Make sure you double check that the o-ring is seated properly. I also put the filter in a plastic storage container under the tank, it's way too easy to cause little accidents.

[nariangel]

Hello! Has your second filter leaked too?