Rena Filstar Iv4 Internal Filter

[Flute]

Hi all, I hope I have put this in the right section, I apologise if not.

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this filter: http/www.aquamania.co.uk/product.asp?numRecordPosition=5&P_ID=2778&strPageHistory=&strKeywords=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=236.

I'm asking on behalf of my dad who is currently setting up his newest tank, and has had his eye on this filter. His tank is 36" length, 18" height and 15" width, which I think is 42 US gallons? He will be putting volcanic rocks in there with lots of plants, and will be stocking with tropical fish, mainly various tetra and corrys.

I ask just in case he buys this only to find out that it is awful (it's seems to be going quite cheap on ebay at £32.99, which is making me more suspicious), although I've heard that Rena products are usually decent. I also have no idea how much a good filter usually costs either, so thats why I wanted to ask you guys first

Any comments would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

 

[waterdrop]

Interesting, I was not aware Rena made internal filters since mostly around here we discuss their Filstar XP1,2,3,4 models. It almost seems from looking at the web that they (Mars Fishcare) may only sell these in the UK. I've not seen them discussed here on TFF but I could have missed it. Obviously they look like they'd be competitors to the popular Fluval Plus and U series internals.

I suspect many aquarists might spend 3 to 5 times that amount on filtration even for smaller tanks, probably choosing an external cannister for a tank that size. In fact I'd think a Rena XP2 or XP3 might run that tank at 5x or above but I don't know the Rena specs.

What does volcanic rock do to the water? Does this raise the pH?

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Flute]

Thanks for the reply Waterdrop

I've passed on what you've said to my dad, and told him about external filters, but as we're a bit tight with cash at the moment, I don't think he'll be going for an external filter, although after doing research I think that an external might indeed be better.

I've had a look around and from what I can see volanic/lava rock is safe and shouldn't change the pH of the water, although I will let my dad know and do some pH tests once we get water in there, and definetly before we put fish in just to be safe. I was told in an aquatics shop though that it aids filtration and is great for planting up. Dad's got his heart set on them though, so I'm off in a minute to find more for him as he wants to create a cave system for the fish

Thanks again for your advice, and I'll see if I can keep a look out for an external filter going for cheap

 

[Defiance]

Hiya,

Just setup a 2nd external today

I have 2 and i got my mom one a while back

All working fine

I got all 3 of the higher rated uv models from here ....... http/stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/All-Pond-Solutions_External-Filters_W0QQ_fsubZ223864012QQ_sidZ181000182QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

I see the smaller one they do is only £44.99 free p&p

You get enough media with it to start, but if you live in a wilko's area grab some plastic round dish scrubbers and fill 3rd try up from bottom with em and jobs a good un

Food for thought

Tony

ps: nowt to do with that company, just really impressed with their goods/quality/speed of delivery (even answered email sameday about spares query)

 

[Flute]

Haha, cheers Defianace I just showed my dad the externals that you linked me and he's decided to go with one of those now ^^

Thanks very much guys, I really appreciated the advice given

 

[Defiance]

Hiya,

This next bit will really make ya day then lol

Those are a clone of the Tetre EX filter series lol

Litterally had a side by side viewing of both today

The differences i'll point out ...........

Tetra equiv no UV

Tetra slightly different no drip connector design (tetra has a hand valve on) (no biggy because the pondsolutions don't drip a drop lol)

Instead of a green colour main body the allpondsolutions is white/black/or silver (no biggy here)

The filter floss looks almost identical as do the tray size/shaping

And the creme de la creme is the "Impeller" the only real thing that moves which is the pump part looks identical)

Only had 10mins to check everything but if i painted mine the same colour as the tetra you'd have to know the tiny differences to spot the clone

What i'm doing though is my lfs has some buy by the metre filter floss, i'll make a stencil and make my own as-when required, so for me i'm well chuffed, ohh and maybe the UV on my models will come in handy

Tony