Replacement For Dead Canister Filter

[boxman]

Did my regular water change today and cleaned out the Rena XP2 filter I've had for 5 years and couldn't get it back working again.

Had an issue on and off where the filter wouldn't turn over but after a bit started working again - this time it seems to be a gonner!

Anyway, what recommendations do you have for the tank in my sig - same again or is there anything new/better on the market (have been away from the hobby for a year or two).

Just to note I have an undergravel filter running at the moment and a small backup filter (seeded) which is keeping things ticking over for very short term.

Cheers
Pete

 

[Gav935]

Tetratec EX1200 I would say.

 

[raptorrex]

Tetratec 2400, would give you a flow closer to that you need, than the 1200 will.

 

[boxman]

Are they noticably better than the Rena?

I always found charging the system a pain in the Rena - Teratec better then?

Thanks for the replies!

 

[rabbut]

The priming system in the Tetratec is plumb up, press a big black button on top, make a cup of tea, drink cup of tea, plug it in and let it go, so yes, nice an easy

I personally like Rena externals. Granted, priming them is fiddely, maintaining the seals presents a challenge if you don't want to break it, but they are solid filters, that are usually reliable. Looks like you got un-lucky with a dodgy one By the sounds of it, you ether have an impeller jam or the winding unit in the motorhead has gone (which in english in the latter case means filter write-off). I presume you have checked for an impeller jam, and applied a sharp shock to the top of the unit while pluged in. Renas are very power efficient, but that means they don't have much torque untill you get to the XP4 modle (that initally kept breaking their impellers and impeller shafts they had that much...). This can mean the impeller needs help starting if the initial kick supplied is not good enough to start it.

The Tetratec EX2400's are supposed to run like frieght trains, but the EX1200 is silent, or as near as you are likely to get. They also have a bigger output than your current Rena XP2. Considering it isn't your only form of filtration, the EX1200 will be fine for your needs

If you want other brands to look at, Eheim Pro's are good, just avoid the un-proven Pro3 electornic modles, as are Eheim Classics. Aquaone's also get good reviews. I personally only touch Fluvals though if someone is paying me to do so, I certainly would not buy another for myself...

HTH
Rabbut

 

[raptorrex]

The priming system in the Tetratec is plumb up, press a big black button on top, make a cup of tea, drink cup of tea, plug it in and let it go, so yes, nice an easy

The Tetratec EX2400's are supposed to run like frieght trains, but the EX1200 is silent, or as near as you are likely to get. They also have a bigger output than your current Rena XP2. Considering it isn't your only form of filtration, the EX1200 will be fine for your needs

If you want other brands to look at, Eheim Pro's are good, just avoid the un-proven Pro3 electornic modles, as are Eheim Classics. Aquaone's also get good reviews. I personally only touch Fluvals though if someone is paying me to do so, I certainly would not buy another for myself...

HTH
Rabbut

EX1200, struggles to pump 500-600lph, with media and fittings, so its well down on what you need for a 170ltr tank,. unless you think 3-4x turnover is good enough.
as for the OP's question, I would be happy to have either, better with an Eheim though, imho. its largly a point of taste. some are happy to put up with the foibles of their filter, others find them too much.

 

[rabbut]

The priming system in the Tetratec is plumb up, press a big black button on top, make a cup of tea, drink cup of tea, plug it in and let it go, so yes, nice an easy

The Tetratec EX2400's are supposed to run like frieght trains, but the EX1200 is silent, or as near as you are likely to get. They also have a bigger output than your current Rena XP2. Considering it isn't your only form of filtration, the EX1200 will be fine for your needs

If you want other brands to look at, Eheim Pro's are good, just avoid the un-proven Pro3 electornic modles, as are Eheim Classics. Aquaone's also get good reviews. I personally only touch Fluvals though if someone is paying me to do so, I certainly would not buy another for myself...

HTH
Rabbut

EX1200, struggles to pump 500-600lph, with media and fittings, so its well down on what you need for a 170ltr tank,. unless you think 3-4x turnover is good enough.
as for the OP's question, I would be happy to have either, better with an Eheim though, imho. its largly a point of taste. some are happy to put up with the foibles of their filter, others find them too much.

The OP has a UGF running also, so the external will be only half the picture. Rena XP2's push 1050lph with zero head-height or media with low torque. Tetretec's push 1200lph under the same conditions as the Rena, but with more torque. Therefore, the Tetratec should push more water than the Rena XP2 the OP has under the same conditions as the Rena. Also, the Tetratec holds more media, so it more efficient at filtering than the current Rena, for the same surface area... Long and short is, the Teratec EX1200 will cope with larger tanks and loads than the XP2, so if the OP found the XP2 did a good job of filtration along side the UGF, they will likely find the Tetratec does at least an equal performance, but more likely a better one...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[boxman]

Thanks for the advice all - only other question is where would be a good place to buy from?

My LFS only stocks Fluvals and certainly don't want to go down that road again!!!

 

[OldMan47]

On that Rena, make sure there are no kinks in the suction tube. I recently went though a real struggle with mine until I noticed the slightly too long suction hose was letting a kink develop in the hose and was restricting flow. As soon as I noticed it and regained my suction path by moving the filter a bit further from the tank, everything suddenly started working like it is supposed to. If you have a good flow path to the filter suction, try cleaning that tube with a long bottle brush. I have the American equivalent of a Tetra-tech filter and would go to great lengths to resurrect the Rena before changing over.

 

[wilsonian]

I've been looking at the EX1200 for my 29gal tank and have seen the tetratec video showing you how to set it up. Seems easy enough

Also as to were to buy it from I've found eBay stores normally have the best prices.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Thanks for the advice all - only other question is where would be a good place to buy from?

My LFS only stocks Fluvals and certainly don't want to go down that road again!!!

Possibly Zooplus? Free postage over £30, 10% off first order, quite cheap anyway.