Couple Of Questions

[Nick16]

hi,

1) where can i get filter media for the rena filstar xp3? i have googled it but to no avail
2) where do you guys buy your polystyrene that you put under your tank? how thick do you get it?

 

[rabbut]

Polestiren only needs to be 1/4" thick, and is available from most LFS, though some won't stock them...

Filter media does not need to be Rena own brand, that is the buty of exturnals. Media is cheap, as manufacturers need to compete more for your cash In the Rena XP3, I'd have a course and medium sponge in the bottom basket, fine and floss in the middle basket and bio-caramic in the top

The "savings" of buying media on-line will be cancled out by postage charges if bought on-line, so you are best going to the LFS TBH

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Nick16]

so a coarse sponge, medium sponge, fine sponge, and then floss. and then i will need the ceramic stuff? is that costly? is there any on ebay?

 

[rabbut]

I use Pond Floss and sponge, works out about £1 a foam for the foam, and mebe 25p a sheet in a Rena for the floss The ceramic will be about £5 in a shop (all shop prices)

On Ebay, expect to pay about 3/4 of that price, but then 5/4 of it with postage

sponge, course (more expencive to start than the LFS, before accounting for postage costs)

floss Note, this is thicker than normal floss, and has two layers, so it doesn't clogg as fast The LFS is cheaper...
ceramics You will want two packs

HTH
Rabbut

 

[Nick16]

is the ceramics about the same price on ebay as it is in the shops? you the man rabbut cheers! do i have to buy a big sheet in the lfs or filter foam? or do they do small stuff?

 

[rabbut]

LFS's can usualy do any size you like. Buy the foam to size, and the floss in bulk. The ceramics will be about the same in the shops

HTH
Rabbut

 

[Nick16]

i have about 7m of the floss!!! thats not a problem. so if i went into a MA and asked if the would cut me some foam to size they would? what sized do you recommend? having a spare of each sponge may be useful! if the cut me a bit of 20x20cm? is that big enough?

 

[rabbut]

22X22cm is in the right ball park for the Rena's, but I don't have one to hand to check measurements for you. Measure up before you go, and have them cut to size of offered. It wants to be a snug fit to avoid media by-pass. I don't know what MH offers in pond specialist branches, so ask, but my local one only does sheets. I know a standord mat size though is 20X60cm for foam, so if they don't cut to size for you, you can get a mat that size and cut yourself. You could offer the excess for sale else where, or keep it if you plan to become a media donor later, keeping note of the cost so people looking for media can re-imberse you when you donate, for replacement media In short, ask them, they should do it if they have the stuff "on the roll" but in a small and/or non-pond stockist branch (like mine) it is more probible that you will need to buy sheets

All the best
Rabbut

 

[Nick16]

ok, so 22x22cm will get me 2 lots? so each compartment in the rena is approx 11x11cm? ok i will do this. i suppose i will have to run 2 externals on my 240l!!

 

[rabbut]

There is no way the wideth of the Rena is 11cm Mebe I diden't type clearly (it's late-ish and I've spent 8 hours at work, answering many fish questions already today...) so I'll try to clarify the confusion.

The Rena baskets will be about 20X20cm (check before you have the foam cut, they need to be a tight fit), so a 22X22cm foam will reduce if needs be into 1 pad. You will get more pads than you need if you have to get a 20X60cm mat, which is probibly where the idea of 2-3 from a 20X20cm one came from

The XP3 will be fine alone on a 240l tank I would have thought, but if you can afford a second filter, that would be good. You cannot overfilter, and it's good to have a redundant system to fall back on should there be an issue with one of the filters. (chance of that happening increases with second hand gear )

All the best
Rabbut

EDIT, my spelling is pathetic tonight for some reason

 

[Nick16]

haha, the spelling is fine, i will try and get the filter and then make the enquiries on the foam. thanks for all your help, il let you go have a drink now!!!