Rena Filstar XP2 discharging small particles after setup

by Kim
(New Berlin, WI, USA)

Hi. I just set up my new xP2 tonight and when I plugged it in the aquarium filled with visible particles that made an increasingly dense haze in the water. The fish gathered together and looked surprised and a little feafful. I unplugged the xP2 immediately and it took about an hour for water clarity to resume with my original filter running that I want to remove in a couple weeks after the xp2 is seeded. Here is a list of the media and order I put them in: bottom basket (1-20 PPI foam, 1-30 PPI foam, 1-water softener pillow and 1-bio chemm zorb pillow). In the second basket above the first: a mix of bio chem stars and ceramic rings, a separater, 1-Rena Crystal pillow and 1-microfiltration pad). I did rinse each of these items in water treated with water conditioner. The bio chem zorb and the water softener pillow gave off a lot of color as I rinsed them. Maybe I did not rinse them enough? Wrong order of media? Too many media? Please help. Thanks.

A: I can only guess but it sounds like ceramic dust. However, the best place to get answers to this type question is from the company/dealer where you purchased the item since they are more familiar with your setup. As an alternative you can contact the manufacturer. In the US that is Mars Fishcare (formerly Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) This is the information in the product manual or literature that came with your product. If you don't have that information here it is again:

Email: docwellfish@aquariumpharm.com or Toll Free 800-847-0659