Rena Filstar Xp1

[MermaidMel]

I've just acquired one and all I have for it is 1 large black sponge and some floss.
No instructions.
I heard it was self priming - how? It has no button
I also hard it was easy shut off to remove pipework from canister - how? It has no taps
Last thing, what media can I use? Can I use a bunch of ceramic noodles from my other canister to seed the filter and get it going fast?

 

[rabbut]

OK, I've got the bigger brother, the XP2 and hence am familiar with this range and able to (attempt at least) answer most of those question

The "self priming" comes after you fill the inlet pipe with water. Make sure the hose release lever is up, as though you were about to pull the hoses off the unit, take the cap off the inlet pipe. Install the supplied funnel into the hole and pore water into the hose until it's full Once this is done, put the cap back on, and press the lever down again, and it should start to fill

The taps are built into the hose release lever. When you pull it up to release the hoses, the taps close also

Pretty much any media will work. There aren't many options that are easily available with one filter basket, but pretty much any media could be made to work

HTH
Rabbut

 

[MermaidMel]

Thanks Rabbut knew I could rely on you lol! I haven't tried it yet but if I get stuck, I will be back to ask you!

 

[OldMan47]

There is a removable cap on the suction hose that allows you to prime the filter. What you do is lift the handle on the hose connection to shut off the flow path into the filter. Then you fill the hose through that removable cap using a funnel, one comes with the filter but you may need to get one from the kitchen. Once the inlet tube is filled, put the cap back on the suction hose and make sure it is tight enough not to leak in air. Push the hose connection down to open the valve going into the filter and the filter will fill itself. Once the filter is full, plug it in and you are pumping water. When it is time to clean your filter, unplug the motor and lift the hose attachment handle. Pull the hose fixture out of the pumping head and carry the filter to a sink to clean it. Once it is clean just attach the hose head to the pumping assembly and push down the hose valve lever. The filter will prime itself and you then plug it back in.
The filter basket can be filled with the media of your choice but I like to put a thin layer of floss on top of everything to keep anything from getting to my impeller. The only time I had any trouble with one of these filters was when I left the hose too long and it got a kink in it that was starving the filter suction by pinching the hose. As soon as I got the hose out of the pinched condition, all was well with the world again. I really love my Rena Filstars in case you can't tell.