Equipment Review and Discussion :: Rena XP3-tank still dirty?

[Minabug]

I bought a Rena XP3 filter a few weeks ago, finally got it primed and I think it's cycled (or started to atleast) because you can't smell the nasty water anymore..but the water is still brown and nasty looking. Any clue why I don't have crystal clear water? I have the white pad at the top that came with it, stars and ceramic rings (wasn't sure how much of that exactly was meant to go in), carbon pack that came with it, and the black 20 and 30 pads that came with it. I bought this filter expecting clear water and still don't have clear water..is it still not done cycling or do I need more media/a different type? Thanks

[VeipaCray]

What size is your tank?

Have you seen this thread? viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145

[steve]

What are you keeping in the tank? In a well ventilated area, the chlorine smells usually dissipate pretty quickly.

[VeipaCray]

The water will not turn brown from lack of cycling. It may get cloudy for a day or two as the bacteria bloom but brown means something else is going on. It could be a diatom bloom...

Could you post a picture so we could take a look?

The link I posted above has the optimal filter media setup for the XP3 for use with a turtle.

[Minabug]

Yes, I have checked out the link. Will charge my camera and take a pic of the water.

It's a 55G tank but not even half full, all that I have in there is my turtles' big rocks that she basks on and her heater. No other critters but her, just one red eared slider.

[penelope]

I have an XP3 and used it in a 55 gallon tank. Don't know why, but sometimes it would take up to 2 weeks to clear after a full water change (cloudy cycling, not brownish dirty).

At the beginning I felt it wasn't cleaning the brownish cloud enough, so I played with the location of the uptake and outflow until it had a decent current, flow, or whatever to call it. Then I would "stir the tank" to get the crud up and moving around. It helped a whole lot and once cleaned it stayed clean.

Also, that 30 pad gets gunked up real fast when it is cleaning out debris, or when the guy are gal is shedding skin. It is the first thing the water filters through in the XP3, and does what it is supposed to do (grab the larger particles), so it needs to be rinsed more often when trying to clear out debris. Otherwise, it gets gunked up, reduces the water flow and holds up the show. Once everything is clean, you can clean on your regular schedule.
That's been my experience anyway.

[Minabug]

Here's the picture of my water:


I have to clean my whole tank out today..my heat lamp decided to explode this morning and glass went in the tank. Extremely glad Daisy was not basking at the time

[rsour24]

do u have a sand substrate?

[steve]

What kind of bulb were you using?

[Minabug]

No, I just have bare bottom tank, no sand.

I was using a 75 watt basking bulb, brand is 'all living things'. The lamp itself was Flukers brand. I've been using it with absolutely no problem for almost a year (bought 3/15/11) and then it just decides to blow up and glass go everywhere. I contacted the company, no help from them whatsoever. All they said was "we only have 6 month warranties". Unbelievable that even after the pictures I sent, the email I sent, and that's all they have to say

[steve]

How often do you change the water?

Sorry about the bulb, I've never had a problem with a halogen bulb (similar to Turtle Tuff) exploding or cracking but they only last about 6 months.

[Minabug]

The water in the tank? Before this I was having to clean it once a week. With this filter I haven't been changing the water (apart from having to after this bulb busting). I bought this filter thinking that I'd have clear water and not have to clean the water in the tank just have to change out the filter media itself.

[happycamper]

Even when your tank water looks perfect you still have to do weekly water changes. If your filter is doing it's job it is turning ammonia into nitrites, then nitrites into nitrates. You have to do water changes to keep the nitrate levels under control.

That looks like some crazy algae bloom? ...but I haven't seen anything quite that color. Wacky!

[VeipaCray]

do u have a sand substrate?

^That was my first thought when I saw the pic as well.

That looks way too dark to be a bacteria bloom.

Are you filling your tank with COLD water?

[Minabug]

No, I feel my tank with warm water.