Inherited Rena Filstar

I removed the canister filter from the 75 this morning and took it apart. The former owner said that he never opened it. What I found were two baskets, one filled with old sponge pads and the other with small lava rocks. Everything in there smelled fowl and is stained red.

What best can I do to shore this thing up?

I know I have to get an extension for the intake as it now barely sits below water level. I have some extra unused media, but what else can I put in there? Should I scrub it with salt? Do I have a chance of getting the hoses flushed from the red residue?

I would bleach everything that you can.

Thanks Vee.

That was pretty much what I was thinking but didn't know if it was "safe"

Next weekends project I guess as I don't feel like I can afford to spring for an entirely new canister filter right now.

Coco... I've a bag of Rena filtration materials some new in box you can shop from. 1/2 price of retail. Bill
hell. here is a pic!

Heck..$45.00 for all!

Good God.

I'll stop by.

Is that an intake extension at the bottom? I'm searching for them online right now.

Ellise..
Here is a list of the Rena stuff I have avail:
Bio-Chem stars . amazon 12.00 each... me: 12 for 2.
Rena Foam 20 retail. 6.39,. me: 3.00 qty (3) or 9.00
Rena Foam 30 retail. 10.00 me: 5.00 qty (2) or 10.00
Rena Filtration 30 ppi retail 8.39... me: 4.00
Rena Bio-Chem Zorb retail: 7.99 ...me: 4.00
Rena Super Activated Carbon retail 4.00 me...2.00
Rena Micro filtration pad (1 of 3 in the box) 1.50
Rena Micro Filtration. box of 3 retail: 7.00 me; 4.00
Same as above but only two.. me: 2.00
Three more labeled as API-Filstar totaling 22.00 retail included.

Bill-

Rama suggested that I set up a small tank with a sponge filter and heater to breed my own guppies. I'm tempted to get a frog to put in there, but I think that'd defeat the purpose.

I'm going to measure the space under my tank stand and see if you have anything that will fit if that's ok w you.

CocoB.. I've a few 10's, a 15 and a 5 laying around... I'm sure we can fit something under your tank. And as you know, I'm not trying to get rich off this hobby so prices will be cheap.
Ira can set you up with guppies cheap for your feeder operation.
I've got a few sponge filters laying about if you need to pick one up...I use them for fry hatch tanks.
Give me a call when ya want to drop in. Bill
oh.. the Rena extension? It's a flexible hose.. bend pieces included and all inclueded in the 45.00. Bill Still!

Completely out of the hobby now?

Are you sick?

Nope.. just a deal I picked up a few days ago... The Rena stuff retails out at over 115.00. The sponge filter? I pick them up for 5-6.00 and keep them seeded for new tanks and have a few spare that you can have at cost.

Oh.. regarding setting up a guppy feeding operation and Ira?.. His fish are disease free and home grown. Bill

Ok---to bleach the filter I set it up and put both hoses in a bucket of water with some bleach and am just running it.

What steps to I need to take to ensure the bleach is completely out before I use it in my tank? Rinse it with salt?

COCOBIRD wrote:Ok---to bleach the filter I set it up and put both hoses in a bucket of water with some bleach and am just running it.

What steps to I need to take to ensure the bleach is completely out before I use it in my tank? Rinse it with salt?

You should remove all the current water, replace with new water, run it in the bucket for awhile (couple days if you want to be safe) and you should be good to go. Bleach breaks down.