Rena XP tubes....

[nwnittany]

What is with these things ? I picked up an XP3 the other day and was assembling it and I had a bear of a time getting lthe arge rubber tubes on the fixtures.

The instructions say to have 2" of the tube on the fixture, and I worked the first for a while and 30 minutes and one whoppin' blister later, I just had in 1 1/2".

Any secrets or tips ? Also, is the 2" a conservative figure ?

P.S. (I realize the wording in this thread opens me up for a number of "that
s what she said" and "sounds like a personal problem" quips...LOL)...

[smaug]

You want that on there as far as it will go for safety.It is easy if you use this tip.Get a cup of very hot water and let the tubing soak in that for a bit.If you have a water base lube you can use a bit of that .It will go right on no sweat.

[nwnittany]

Smaug - good ideas...thanks...

[smaug]

You are welcome.

[Halelorf]

When my Xp3s were new I would lightly chew on the end which will losen it up, or you can put it in warm water :ezpi_wink1:.

[jimcurt99]

I used boiling water on mine. Great filter by the way- I've got one on my 55 and I love it.:thumb:

[Lady Hobbs]

I have the opposite problem. I have the Fluval. No problem getting the hose on but now I can't get them off! It would be nice to clean inside those hoses!

[smaug]

I have the opposite problem. I have the Fluval. No problem getting the hose on but now I can't get them off! It would be nice to clean inside those hoses!
same trick applies Lady.Get a wet rag good and hot and apply it to the hose end,that should help.

[Lady Hobbs]

It's at the canister. It's the darned plastic nut you screw on to hold it. I must have been feeling extra strong when I put it on.

[smaug]

It's at the canister. It's the darned plastic nut you screw on to hold it. I must have been feeling extra strong when I put it on.
yeah,I know.Try the hot rag at that area.It will soften the tubing enough to make it easier to remove.

[nwnittany]

Well, I guess I need some more advice.

Before I posted my original question, I had all the tubes attached, but to be perfectly honest, I don't think any are the full 2". Most are closer to 1 1/2". They are all past the 'threaded' area enough to secure with the clamps and still leave a bit extra on each side of the clamp (ie, some extra between the clamp and the 'threads', and some extra between the clamp and the end of the hose).

Is it worth taking off the clamps and pushing the hoses on some more ? I'm assuming I can use some other clamps (the ones included with the filter will probably break when I remove them).

I know this is a judgment call....what would you guys do ?

[smaug]

Those snap clamps that come with it are ok to use and wont break if you remove them carefully,open them with a pinching motion thumb on and forefinger on opposite sides of the opposing jaws and just give a pinch.However,I wouldn't push your tubes on any further,thats about how far mine have been on for years.Just make sure the clamps are tight,use a pair of pliers and try to get one more click.If they break,go to a hardware store and get the stainless steel hose clamps.