Aquarium Pharmaceuticals RENA SmartFilter 30 (Hang-on-Back Filter)
Information
Features:
- Up to 30gals
- Three sizes available 10-20, 20-30 and 30-55 Gallons
- Mechanical, chemical and biological filtration from 4-sided cartridges (4X the cleaning power) with Bio-Chem Zorb™
- Universal replacement cartridges – one size fits all. The Power of “1, 2, 3”
- Revolutionary caddy with ease of access and drip-reduction cup
- Unique motor rack that can be removed from the filter without removing the main lid of the filter
- Dosing port for water treatments and medications
- 4, 8 & 12 Bio Chem Stars (included) added for superior biological filtration and slotted in unique towers
Benefits:
- A filter for the vast majority of HOB filter usage
- Brings the superior filtration of a canister filter to the back of the aquarium
- Eliminates mess during monthly maintenance
- Simple cleaning of an important part of the filter.
- Allows for accurate and thorough dispersal of aquarium treatments & medications
- Increases biological filtration
Manufacturer Info
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Aquarium Supplies
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (API) has been helping people take good care of ornamental fish for over 40 years. Their research and development scientists have advanced the care of fish with all-natural medications, stable bacteria for biological filtration, one-bottle test kits, consumer-friendly dosing caps and much more. They’ve received over 25 global patents for their breakthrough innovations in the aquatics industry. And they continue to look for ways to improve the fishkeeping experience for hobbyists. Research. Experience. Dedication to scientific, quality treatment for healthy fish. It’s what makes API the first choice of aquarium owners. API manufactures and sells hundreds of products across many different product categories, including aquarium and pond treatments, aquarium equipment, aquariums and fish nutrition.
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals RENA SmartFilter 30 (Hang-on-Back Filter)
Reviews
Easy to Install
by
DORRI GRIFFIN
Excellent!
Posted: 6/12/2012 from DENVER, CO UNITED STATES
4.5
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
I like that the product was described well online. When I am unfamiliar with a particular brand and can't pick it up and look at it a thorough description goes a long way in my decision to purchase. The product was just as I expected and it arrived quickly. I am very pleased.
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Tannins=GONE
by
MORGAN KIRBY
Excellent!
Posted: 6/7/2012 from FREDERICKSBURG, VA UNITED STAT
4.5
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
I bought this to replace a 60g rated hang-on filter on my 20g planted f.w. tank. I had been battling w/ tannins from my driftwood for a full year w/o much success. after setting this up and running it for only 48hrs, the tank is now CLEAR. it is a bit noisy though, even after checking for and fixing an air leak. I guess Ill have to check again, but so far Id say its worth it.
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Great design, AWFUL service
by
TJ
Below Average
Posted: 6/4/2010 from CHICAGO, IL UNITED STATES
2.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
"It's the 1980's Jaguar of filters...great design, but you better own 2 because one will always be in the shop"I've owned the 55 for less than two months when the motor failed. I tried calling Rena for help, all you get is an answering machine. They called me back two days later and told me that I can box up the filter and send it back for warranty. I said "hold on, this is my filter, I can't run w/o for a week or more" I asked if I could buy a replacement motor or if they could do an advanced replacement, I'd happily have paid for that. At that point the manufacturer told me they "they weren't going to just ship out an expensive piece of equipment to me and if I considered my filter to be so important that I should own a backup."I've read on many sites that they have a great product unless it breaks, then you're just screwed because I feel that Rena doesn't care about their customers.I wish I could recommend this product, but having it fail in under two months and then being told I should have bought two is just unacceptable.
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Leaks when Dirty
by
JAY
Average
Posted: 4/2/2010 from Minneapolis, MN UNITED STATES
3.0
5
Experience Level:
Expert
Comments:
I bought the 30 gallon model and it worked fine for a couple of weeks (quiet and efficent). I even had it combined with their Smartheater which is a nice feature.
The BIG problem I experienced is that when the filter media starts to get DIRTY and the FLOW is reduced then the water backs up and flows out the back SEAM of the filter onto the floor. I noticed others complaining about the same critical issue on other forums as well.
I shut down the filter and tried to seal the entire seam of the filter with aquarium sealant to prevent this from happening again since I see no reason that yu would normally have to take it apart.
If you buy this filter be SURE to check the filter media inside to make SURE it is not getting DIRTY and CLOGGING water flow on a regular basis.
8 of 8 People found this review helpful, did you?
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great heater
by
JORGE TORRES
Excellent!
Posted: 3/1/2010 from RIDGEWOOD, NY UNITED STATES
5.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
Yes, I'm glad I got this filter. Does the job quietly and the price was good. Will get the heater that attaches to it.A good idea from Rena.
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Product
by
RONALD RANDOLPH
Average
Posted: 11/17/2009 from FREDERICK, MD UNITED STATES
3.0
5
Experience Level:
Expert
Comments:
It's okay but the feet that keeps it from tilting wont hold up I had to put cardboard between the tank and filter to keep it balance because once the water is in their it becomes too heavy...?
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Poor Design
by
JOHN OTOOLE
Unsatisfactory
Posted: 8/14/2009 from ARLINGTON, VA UNITED STATES
1.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
This product lacks the rigidity (plastic is too thin) to allow the pump motor to work quietly. The motor has too much vibration which make for a very noisy sound during operation. I have used Eheim products which uses thicker plastic in their components. Thicker plastic in this pump would probably make a difference and not significantly increase the cost.
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55 gal model
by
SAM T.
Average
Posted: 6/10/2009 from CARMICHAEL, CA UNITED STATES
3.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
Larger than I anticipated, approximately 16” long. The 55 takes up more than half of my 36 gal bow front. In fact I had to significantly modify the tank and cover to make room for the filter. Overall the filter works well and has kept my tank very clean, but the noise and vibration comes and goes and is usually louder than our six year old a refrigerator.
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Awful!
by
WILL TOMLINSON
Unsatisfactory
Posted: 5/14/2009 from PAINTED POST, NY UNITED STATES
1.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
I used the Rena Smartfilter 20 on my 20 gallon reef and the thing leaked on a daily basis... The thing is designed so that the flow over the filter modules pushes the water up and over it and out of the filter box. Also, the filter cartidges are less than satisfactory. They filter mechanically, yes, but the chemical media is not enough to do anything worth speaking of. The biomedia is passed by almost all of the water and there isn't enough to do anything to an aquarium. The little "bio-stars" aren't very pourous and are placed where they get almost no flow. Plus with the plastic cross that separates the stars only one set of stars gets any flow at all, the rest are in dead spots... It wasn't even worth selling to another unsuspecting fishkeeper on eBay so I just trashed it... purely awful.
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Nice product
by
JARROD CUMBA
Great
Posted: 5/13/2009 from SEYMOUR, TX UNITED STATES
4.0
5
Experience Level:
Beginner
Comments:
using the 55 in my 29gallon, and i have to say its alot quieter than the aquatech i replaced and it filters twice the water per hour. The cartridges are easy to set up and are comparably priced to other brands. I noticed a large difference in water quality within a hour of changing them out. The option to have the heater as the inlet pipe is awesome, it really cleaned up the look of my tank and in my opinion gives a more uniform temperature across the tank. (my fish used to stay around the heater, now they could care less about it). All in all a really well built product, plan on getting another for my other tank. Price is a little high for a hang on but in my opinion its worth it.
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