Hi all, i recently purchased an 18 month old Rena Aqualife with Rena stand and Rena Filstar XP2 external cannister filter, spent 3 days cleaning everything so its all like new and fitted new tubes to the filter, however upon setting up the system it became apparent that the filter output flow rate was very poor, the specification says output flow rate is 1050 litres per hour and it was clear the output flow rate was acheiving nothing like this, so i measured the output flow rate by leaving everything in situ and simply angling the output nossel out from the tank and into a bucket, it measured 300 litres per hour, i then decided to test the direct output flow rate with no head or filter media resistance, so i removed the power head from the filter attached a very short 8" length of tube to the output to direct output flow over into the bucket and tested the direct output flow rate in a sink of water, the direct output flow rate was 900 litres per hour, a substantial increase, but still short of the 1050 litres per hour in the specifications.
I then fitted all the filter back in situ on the tank and retested output flow rate, it was still 300 litres per hour, i raised the filter up to different levels to reduce the head and even ran the filter level with the tank water and the output flow rate was still 300 litres per hour, these tests were also done again with all media removed from the filter to reduce the resistance, the output flow rate was still 300 litres per hour, i simply cannot acheive anywhere near the output flow rate in the specifications once the filter is situated in its correct position with the correct length inlet and outlet tubes connected and filter media inserted, the powerhead is not even acheiving its flow rate when its directly tested in the sink with near zero head, its still 900 litres per hour as opposed to the claimed specification of 1050, i was expecting a strong output flow from this filter giving a nice current flow around the tank, this is cleary not acheivable, im thinking of purchasing a new Rena Filstar XP2/XP3 or even XP4 now, as im left thinking that if i have not overlooked something, then the stated output flow specification on these cannister filters is totally unrealistic and clearly not acheiveable.
So has anyone any experience of actually measuring the output flow of their cannister filters, in particular the Rena filstar XP range, if so could you reply with your findings? also has anyone experience of their motor under performing? (getting tired after 18 months) im actually trying to fishless cycle the tank and ive inserted a Fluval 3+ internal filter to give the filtering a boost, this Fluval is specified at 700 litres per hour output flow and i reckon its acheiving this as the curret flow is nice and strong to feel giving a nice swirl in the tank unlike the Rena Filstar XP2 exterior cannister filter whos output current you can only feel within 3" of the output tube
I would also like to point out some facts below
Filter is clean with new tubes which are cut as short as possible with no loops
Filter impellor was compared with a new one out of XP2 box at local shop, it was perfect with no wear
Filter tube fittings and valves have no blocks
Filter suction plug is fitted in the filter head (removing this enables the output flow rate to be reduced, clearly not wanted here)
Filter media is correct
Filter placement is correct on shelf on Rena stand giving the correct head height, its in the middle of the instructions measurement tolerencies
Thanks in advance for any replies advice
I then fitted all the filter back in situ on the tank and retested output flow rate, it was still 300 litres per hour, i raised the filter up to different levels to reduce the head and even ran the filter level with the tank water and the output flow rate was still 300 litres per hour, these tests were also done again with all media removed from the filter to reduce the resistance, the output flow rate was still 300 litres per hour, i simply cannot acheive anywhere near the output flow rate in the specifications once the filter is situated in its correct position with the correct length inlet and outlet tubes connected and filter media inserted, the powerhead is not even acheiving its flow rate when its directly tested in the sink with near zero head, its still 900 litres per hour as opposed to the claimed specification of 1050, i was expecting a strong output flow from this filter giving a nice current flow around the tank, this is cleary not acheivable, im thinking of purchasing a new Rena Filstar XP2/XP3 or even XP4 now, as im left thinking that if i have not overlooked something, then the stated output flow specification on these cannister filters is totally unrealistic and clearly not acheiveable.
So has anyone any experience of actually measuring the output flow of their cannister filters, in particular the Rena filstar XP range, if so could you reply with your findings? also has anyone experience of their motor under performing? (getting tired after 18 months) im actually trying to fishless cycle the tank and ive inserted a Fluval 3+ internal filter to give the filtering a boost, this Fluval is specified at 700 litres per hour output flow and i reckon its acheiving this as the curret flow is nice and strong to feel giving a nice swirl in the tank unlike the Rena Filstar XP2 exterior cannister filter whos output current you can only feel within 3" of the output tube
I would also like to point out some facts below
Filter is clean with new tubes which are cut as short as possible with no loops
Filter impellor was compared with a new one out of XP2 box at local shop, it was perfect with no wear
Filter tube fittings and valves have no blocks
Filter suction plug is fitted in the filter head (removing this enables the output flow rate to be reduced, clearly not wanted here)
Filter media is correct
Filter placement is correct on shelf on Rena stand giving the correct head height, its in the middle of the instructions measurement tolerencies
Thanks in advance for any replies advice
