XP3 Question

[MarkS]

While we are on the subject, I bought a Rena X3 for my 100 gal. It works great, I'm very pleased but, I clean it once a month replacing the top filter media with new, and it seem like 4 days later the filter is dirty as the water flow slows down until it's almost just a trickle before it's cleaning time again. I have a very light load of fish. Do I need to clean it weekly? Is there a cheaper filter media that I could use?

[tsunderl]

Mark, I moved your question to this forum so others will see it and be able to help you.

[MarkS]

Mark, I moved your question to this forum so others will see it and be able to help you.


Thanks t, I mean't to post under the Petsmart thread. Didn't mean to hijack sorry

[tsunderl]

Not a problem.

What kind of media do you put in the trays and in what order? That will help us determine what the issue may be.

[MarkS]

It says "Dual Density Micriofiltration Pad" pretty generac sounding. Basically cotten pads with different density's. about $8.00 at LFS for 2. Once a month that's fine, but I'm wondering if I need more often?

[biggin]

Pillow stuffing from Wal-mart it is like $3 a bag, I clean mine 1-3 months depending on the fish loads....


Any of the mico filtration pads are going to clog quickly. Might also check how much media you have in there.

[MarkS]

Pillow stuffing? Really. Is it a solid piece or sponge crumbs or what?

[biggin]

Nah, its kinda like a ball of floss.

Pillow stuffing? Really. Is it a solid piece or sponge crumbs or what?

[tsunderl]

It's the fluffy stuff inside pillows. A little in the filter goes a long way.

I hardly ever buy the pre-made filters because of cost. I can make my own for much less. Get the blue filter material in the bulk packs and cut to size. Nylon sponges make great bio-media filters. Course sponges can be rinsed in the aquarium water in a bucket during a water change and used over and over. Carbon used only when I'm cycling meds out of the tank.

Lots of less costly options to filter media. If you're in doubt if something will work, just ask. Several here make their own filter media as well and we're happy to help a fellow hobbyist save a buck.

[MarkS]

It's the fluffy stuff inside pillows. A little in the filter goes a long way.

I hardly ever buy the pre-made filters because of cost. I can make my own for much less. Get the blue filter material in the bulk packs and cut to size. Nylon sponges make great bio-media filters. Course sponges can be rinsed in the aquarium water in a bucket during a water change and used over and over. Carbon used only when I'm cycling meds out of the tank.

Lots of less costly options to filter media. If you're in doubt if something will work, just ask. Several here make their own filter media as well and we're happy to help a fellow hobbyist save a buck.



I love this place:)

[tsunderl]

Yeah... We kinda grow on people. Like algae! :rofl:

[Jimnkim]

Lots a great info!!!!!!!

[AndrewH]

I know in my heavily planted thank I was needing to clean off the media 2-3 per month. I had to keep pillow stuffing which I had stretched apart a bit to allow more to go through and I used the ceramic rings which seemed do great with the pillow stuffing.

[fishyjoe24]

the blue filter stuff what ever it is called is cheap. if I remember right aquantic designs had it for $5.00 a yard, and I still have whole plastic sack of it left. then I used top grade carbon I bought from exotic aquantics for $2.50-$3.00 a pound along with fluval bio-max.

side note got the 135 set up. all I got to do is get the gravel from the 240
and put it in the 135. also does any one know where I can get malayisan driftwood for cheap. 15-20 dollars for a small piece is not cheap, the cheapest piece I could find was $8.00 and it was aprox. 5 inches long, 3-4 inches tall,and 4-6 inches wide.

[sap]

ATI Filter Max Pre-filter

http://www.petsupplydirect.net/images/P/18647_pid.jpg