RENA xp4 canister

[NickFish]

I just got the RENA xp4 canister for my new tank. Trying something different other than just fluval and eheim.

Anyways, it came with Bio Chem Stars, Foam pad 20ppi, Foam pad 30ppi, and a "Filtration pad".

Anybody know how often, if at all I need to replace these? Or can I just rinse them occasionally?

[Holyvision]

I use RENA, and I only change the mechanical when it starts to fall apart when I rinse it off. Whenever I do a water change, I just rinse the mechanical off in the siphoned-out water and put it back.

Chemical media I probably change every couple months to keep it working.

[NickFish]

Chemical media I probably change every couple months to keep it working.

I don't have any chemical media in there...don't like the stuff. I may put purigen in later though.

Thanks!

[Fishguy2727]

I would just ditch the chemical media for all the usual reasons against carbon. I would just replace it with biological media.

Those biochem stars are made with carbon aren't they?

[Holyvision]

I would just ditch the chemical media for all the usual reasons against carbon. I would just replace it with biological media.

Those biochem stars are made with carbon aren't they?

Forgive the hijack (and the following beginner question) but what are the reasons not the be using carbon? I should put in more ceramic biological or something instead of it?

[smaug]

I have had my xp-2 for 3 years now.I replaced my black coarse and fine pads at about a year and a half.They werent breaking down but I douldnt seem to rinse them well enough anymore.

[Fishguy2727]

Check my blog HERE. There is a whole article on carbon use in the aquarium. It is almost at the bottom of the first page you come to in the link.

[kaybee]

...Bio Chem Stars, Foam pad 20ppi, Foam pad 30ppi, and a "Filtration pad"...Anybody know how often, if at all I need to replace these? Or can I just rinse them occasionally?

The micro-filter pad will require regular replacement. I no longer use those and instead use 50-micron pads which are more durable, washable and trap more 'stuff'.

The Bio Chem Stars should last for years. I'm still using the foam pads from 2005. I've found that they trap MORE stuff one 30ppi is added in the final ('top') basket than if placed as recommeded in the first ('bottom') basket.

...Those biochem stars are made with carbon aren't they?

The biochem stars are biological media made of an extremely porous (50-70 micron internal pore network), buoyant black rigid foam, not carbon. Definately highly recommend using it, Nickfish since you've got it.

[smaug]

Ditto the stars,I actually bought mine because they dont come with the xp-2,they are holding up very well.

[nwnittany]

Nick - I thought Rena's came with something called Bio-Chem-Zorb (chemical filtration) as well ?

If you got a pouch of this, I think it's essentially a high-grade carbon....