Rena Filstar XP3 Media

[turbo_h4]

I'm planning to buy either biostars or ceramic rings for my XP3. Which one should I go for? They seem to do the same thing but biostars are cheaper. which is why I'm kind of steered in that direction at the moment.

 

[LongTime]

I like the rings and I'm ready to admit its all "IMO." I don't have any wonderful and proven statistics to support my position either. No matter what you use, it will get clogged in time so you should swap out about 1/3 rd of it ever 3 to four months or so.

 

[turbo_h4]

i thought you could clean it by rinsing it with water from the tank. Or is that not the case?

 

[FroggyFox]

Do what you think is best I have the cylinders too....although I never even so much as rinse them usually. You dont need to replace them IMO They get clogged with bacteria...thats what you want...thats why you have them. You dont use them for mechanical filtration usually thats what the sponges are for.

 

[turbo_h4]

Can I buy any brand of rings and put them in? Also, how much will I need? I see the filstar rigns come in 1 litre volumes and cost about $30CAD.

 

[LongTime]

Do what you think is best I have the cylinders too....although I never even so much as rinse them usually. You dont need to replace them IMO They get clogged with bacteria...thats what you want...thats why you have them. You dont use them for mechanical filtration usually thats what the sponges are for.

Yes, they get clogged with bacteria. The problem comes in when the first bacteria, lets say in the bottom or the deepest or most inside, gets covered by new bacteria and debris. In time the pores get clogged and the bacteria on the bottom are no longer getting the amount of oxygen they need. They die. The the next layer dies and sooner or later water is not flowing through the poors as much as around the rings or whatever. The amount of active bacteria is greatly reduced. That is why you replace about 1/3 of it.