Rena Media - black STARZ or clay rings

[pitterpatti]

Just got my Rena XP3 and it says the black Starz media need to be 50% replaced every 6 months.

2 things:

Do I want to replace 50% of the starz every 6 months?
Do I want to add the clay ring media also? what might the difference be between these two?

Do I want one full tray of these ? I would think the more the better on these?

What works for you?
Thanks
Patti

[ElijahTurtle]

Unless they are designed to disintegrate, I would see no need in throwing away 50% of your bio-colony every 6 months just to fatten their wallets. Sounds like some poor marketing ploy to me.

Here's a quote from the product details at petsmart.
Bio-Chem Stars do not degrade and do not need to be replaced with normal use.
Bio-Chem Stars are designed for use with all FilStar filtration media.
Rena Stars at Petsmart (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752397&utm_source=cse&utm_campaign=5079398&utm_medium=googleproduct&mr:trackingCode=552C4734-1604-DE11-80C2-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA#prodTab1)

[pitterpatti]

Thats what I figure too. They are like the biowheel on an emperor. You don't change them out, maybe rinse each month but don't move them around either.

So here is a link to how to get your rena 2 canister filter going after you get it:

YouTube - That Fish PIace Guide: Installing Aquarium Canister Filters

I think this convinced me I can do this canister thing! :rolleyes:

So with the Rena XP3, there are 3 trays. Sponges on the bottom sound good. Just keep rinsing out.

Then would I put the pillow guts in the second tray and the Bio-Chem Starz and clay media in the top tray?

I am not sure I want to even use this Bio-Chem Zorb pouch - for removal of organic waste that came with the package. Can affect the fish?

Would it affect my bio-media?

Thanks for your insights.
Patti

ps. even though the video makes it look easy, it just seems so confusing! :hehe: I remember though getting my first filter, it came on aquarium set up, HOB, and no directions. I thought, what the heck am I to do here. I plugged it in and hung it on the back of the tank and it was horribly noisy. I knew something was wrong, so I had to go pull directions from the website to figure out there had to be water in it to prime it! roflmaoroflmaoroflmao

That was about 2 years ago. Boy! things have really changed in my fish world since them! :exactly:

pss. Now I have to go move all my many many electric chords out of the way of this water filter! interesting. I told my sisters, when I go it will be from electrocution! :cs:

[tsunderl]

I would also suggest using nylon scrubber pads in one of the trays. They are cheap and work great.

[pitterpatti]

wow! they have really big spaces in them though don't they? I am thinking of like the kind that are like circles? pom-poms I think they call them.

I just found how to make them...
nylon-net pompoms - 72-inch-wide nylon net (found at fabric shops)

so maybe when I go get the pillow stuffing, I will check out the fabric area of walmart. Probably easier to just buy them in the stores already cut out! LOL!

pitterpatti added 1 Minutes and 21 Seconds later...

Would you all recommend Bio-chem Starz and clay pieces with holes in them, or all one or the other?

thanks

[biggin]

Clay rings or bio stars there is not much difference....mostly marketing.

Never replace them unless they just disappear.

Bottom should have sponges, second should be bio an last should be pillow stuffing .

I would use the little pad that came with it since it is free....just throw it away after 30-45 days.

[tsunderl]

With the scrubbers, you could put more than one in and compact them. They do provide a lot of area for the good stuff to grow. I have them in my sump and they work well for me.

You don't have to use just one kind of media. The goal is to provide a place for good bacteria to grow. I've heard of people using GI Joe figures. lol

[pitterpatti]

Hi Tsunder, do you use those in place of the starz or clay media?

[tsunderl]

In my sump I do. I didn't get enough starz with my XP4 to do much of anything with. Added some bioballs I had and the ceramic rings. So far, so good. I have the scrubbers in the sump for the 180 square and have had no problems. I'm sure you could use scrubbers in place of other media. Lot of the stuff they try to sell you is hype to get money from you.