Getting air out of Rena Filstar XP3

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decoy50

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 25, 2012
1,136
115
96
VA
So I've had this XP3 for about a year now and I hate it with a passion!! Every time I break it down to clean it, its a real struggle to get it working again. It usually takes several attempts to get it running. It sucks air & cannot expel all the air on its own. I have to manually fill the intake hose several times before all the air is pushed out. I've checked my seals and they look fine - I've got no leaks in the filter either. Does anybody have this same problem? Any tips/tricks to start the filter more smoothly?

This is my first canister & I doubt I buy another one after this. You just can't beat HOB Aquaclears IMO. Give me some ideas on how to fix this filter before I run over it with my car. Thanks.
 
Are you following the priming procedure correctly? Mine gets a bit of air, but simply tilting it from side to side usually takes care of it.
 
Yes I think I am - lever in upright position, fill intake hose. Cap the hose & press the lever down, wait 2 mins for the filter to fill w/ water then plug in. My filter never fills up all the way - it always stops with about 2inches of air in it which it cannot expel. Am I doing something wrong?
 
Sounds about right. When you start it up form there, tilt the filter side-to-side & back-to-back and it should expel the air right out. They are a bit tedious to get going, but they have performed well for me.

Another trick is to fill the filter up prior to putting it together. That starts you with a fuller canister and less air.
 
Pharaoh said:
Sounds about right. When you start it up form there, tilt the filter side-to-side & back-to-back and it should expel the air right out. They are a bit tedious to get going, but they have performed well for me.

Another trick is to fill the filter up prior to putting it together. That starts you with a fuller canister and less air.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I do the same thing. I love my Renas!
 
I never remove the cap once installed on a tank. I fill the canister, reconnect it to the quick disconnect and lift one of the canister latches up to let the air escape. Usually lift up on the side of the motor housing to help it out.

Plug in and done. If that cap is the slightest bit loose it will pull air in.

I've owned 5 xps for almost 5 years.
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just get the can running... then put a powerhead (with some decent gph)up to the intake and turn p.h. on ...air gone... it works..:popcorn: really
 
Well after spending most of Monday night screwing around with this filter, I posted this thread then went to Pet Solutions and bought an AC110 as they were onsale and I had an extra $10 off. I went home last night. tilted the filter side to side like Pharaoh said and the damn thing starts right up! So it was either Pharaohs tip that fixed the issue or me spending a needless $60 that did the trick...
 
yes ... but now you have the mythical OVERKILL FILTRATION... well done... by the way ..the powerhead trick works 100% of the time!:grinyes:
 
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