[ir0n_ma1den]

man, today is not a good day for me; Problem after problem.

I did a small water change today and noticed that my Renastar XP1 is putting out a dribble. I washed out the filter pads last weekend so i don't think that is a problem.

Could the output tube be clogged?

 

[jmontee]

Could be anything. I would try to flush the input and output hoses (including the bar if that's what you use) and make sure that it is well primed.

 

[fshfanatic]

If could be clogged. The first thing I would check is the impeller.

Remove it and hold the magnet in one hand then spin the blades. It should spin about 75% of the way around and stop. It it just continues to spin you need another one.

 

[DBL TAP]

Like Fanatic suggested, check your impeller. I know on Fluvals a layer of muck will develop on impeller and cut down on the filter's efficiency. Sorry, I'm not too familiar with Renastars.

Good luck

 

[gheitman]

Every time the output of my Filstar has dropped to nothing it was because the input was clogged with plant debris or fish :-(

 

[tkos]

Definitely clogged. The hoses will build up layers of gunk as well. You can usually buy long flexable brushes to clean those out.

 

[ir0n_ma1den]

I checked the output and nothing is clogging it, so i will check the input.

 

[ir0n_ma1den]

I jsut checked the input and cleaned the impeller, but still nothing. I may have to buy an eheim.

 

[hoppycalif]

Did you make sure to prime the filter very well? They don't produce much, if any flow if they are not well primed.

 

[ir0n_ma1den]

hmm.. maybe i didn't prime it correctly.

how should i go about doing this?

 

[fshfanatic]

Check the impeller! If you are getting little to no flow there are only a few things that can cause this.

1: Clogged lines.
2: Clogged media and or fliter pads.
3: Impeller and or impeller shaft broken.

 

[ir0n_ma1den]

when you talk about the impeller shaft being broken, do you mean bent, or what?

 

[davemonkey]

when you talk about the impeller shaft being broken, do you mean bent, or what?

Either broken/cracked in half so that it no longer turns the impeller, or bent to where it cannot turn.

 

[fshfanatic]

when you talk about the impeller shaft being broken, do you mean bent, or what?

Generally they dont get "bent" they are either good to go or broken in two places because they are ceramic. If it is broken it impedes the action of the actual impeller and that causes a decrease in flow.

 

[Mud Pie Mama]

One other consideration is where is the filter located in relation to the tank? On Rena filters the filter lid need to be two feet (24") below the top rim of the tank. The downward force of the water helps push it somewhat. They cannot be placed beside the tank.

 

[Cavan Allen]

Another possibility is that the media baskets aren't aligned properly within the canister. There's a hole in the top basket that goes beneath the outlet tube, isn't there?