Equipment Review and Discussion :: RENA XP's are back in production!

[Rubicon]

Just an FYI the Rena XP series is back in business. The model names have been tweaked slightly it seems the XP1 is now the "small", the XP2 is now the "medium", and the XP3 is now the "large". I didn't get to see what they all were "rated" for but I'm sure it's the same as the past with the Large there being rated for 175G tanks. I haven't been able to find anywhere online that shows these new ones but it's just different packaging being called API XP canister filters. These were seen at the Petsmart here in town that literally just opened last week so everything on the shelves is new.

I guess it's not a big deal but that means replacement parts will still be easy to find for us current XP owners.

[VeipaCray]

And the Xp4 is the XL. The XL is 265 GPH same as the xp4, so it's apparently a rebranding. I'll update the filter thread...thanks.

The good news is they are back. The bad news is their biggest filter is still only good for about a 100 gallon turtle tank. I was hoping API would have upgraded the pump to a higher GPH and even make the canisters larger.

Thanks for the update!!

[Rubicon]

Yup that's all it was. I didn't see any XL/XP4's so I was unsure if they were still making then one (would make sense). Searching online I couldn't find any new details.

[VeipaCray]

I found the XL on the marinedepot.com.

So why does a manufacturer pull the product from retail shelves for so long just for a new label on the box? Was API expecting that stupid Nexx filter to sell? I can only assume most consumers came to the same conclusion as we did - the Nexx is a heaping pile of rubbish. I'm not sure what the thought was behind the move. It seems a bit strange to pull a very well liked product and lose retail shelf space to competitors only to reintroduce the exact same filter a year later with a slightly different name. What's old is new maybe?? At least when Fluval does this, they update the filter a bit. Like I said, I was really hoping to at least see API upgrade the pumps for additional GPH.

And in recent news, API released four new aquarium filter models:
The FilStar XP oops
The FilStar XP we've just sacked our director of marketing
The FilStar XP we've seen US auto manufacturers do this and though it would work
And
The FilStar XP model W.T.F. were we thinking?!?!...sorry.

[Listen97]

Here is a picture from Pet'smarts site. They still list the XP1-4 but the image seems to be the new box. The Filstar XP M says up to 75gal, the same as the XP2.

I found the XL on the marinedepot.com.

So why does a manufacturer pull the product from retail shelves for so long just for a new label on the box? Was API expecting that stupid Nexx filter to sell? I can only assume most consumers came to the same conclusion as we did - the Nexx is a heaping pile of rubbish. I'm not sure what the thought was behind the move. It seems a bit strange to pull a very well liked product and lose retail shelf space to competitors only to reintroduce the exact same filter a year later with a slightly different name. What's old is new maybe?? At least when Fluval does this, they update the filter a bit. Like I said, I was really hoping to at least see API upgrade the pumps for additional GPH.

And in recent news, API released four new aquarium filter models:
The FilStar XP oops
The FilStar XP we've just sacked our director of marketing
The FilStar XP we've seen US auto manufacturers do this and though it would work
And
The FilStar XP model W.T.F. were we thinking?!?!...sorry.

I posted something in another Filter topic about the GPH changes, it all has to do with the cost of goods to manufacturer products. If they can't get them as cheap anymore they have to make a new product because the stats on the old of course may not match the new.

[VeipaCray]

In this case there is no change. The filter specs are identical between old and new - just a change in branding / packaging.

[devilduck]

If there is one thing I would change with the XP series it's to beef up the way the clamps attach to the main body of the filter.

[VeipaCray]

It looks like the Rena smart heaters and connection kits are back as well. Marinedepot is listing five model heaters and at least the 50 watt appears to be an in-stock item.

[PridgNYC]

Lemee think like a CEO for a minute... Why are we manufacturing a product that people buy once and it lasts for 20 years or more and they are never forced to come back to us for consumables? I know, let's dump that product and introduce a new modular product that requires proprietary filter cartridges that the consumer has to buy from us. We make more money and the consumer gets a flexible/expandible ($$) solution... Win/Win

Classic self destruct mode for many companies. You can't use Gillette's business model when your products aren't needed by the majority of the population.

[VeipaCray]

Oh yeah I totally get the marketing behind the Nexx filter. It's the same principal as the fluval G series - except the g series put a LCD screen, a shiny box and a HUUGE price tag on the filter. What I'm wondering is if API re-introduced the XP series due to declining sales (ie nobody buying the nexx) or if this was the plan all along for whatever reason.

[PridgNYC]

What probably happened (I know because I have worked for companies that have done this after marketing killed their core product), is that they spun off the XP series into a new company. They can gain some very creative tax and business advantages by doing this while still retaining some ownership of their IP. (or at least getting some value out of it)

[Into_the_Mystic]

If there is one thing I would change with the XP series it's to beef up the way the clamps attach to the main body of the filter.

I agree, they are pretty chinsey.