Filters filters everywhere

[rsava]

Opinions on filters please...

I currently have the following:

1 Fluval 304 in use on a 120G
2 Magnum 350 w/Bio-Wheels in use on same 120G
1 Fluval 103 in use on a 55G
1 AC 300 in use on same 55G
1 AC 200 to be used on a 30G
1 HOT Magnum not in use

I am seriously looking at getting a Filstar XP3 and putting that on the 120G. This tank has 2 O's and a Green Severum in it.
So my setups would be:
120G as above - A Fluval 304 and a Filstar XP3
55G community - A HOT Magnum w/Bio-Wheel and an AC 300
30 Gal with 2 Green Severums and 4 Giant Danios - A Fluval 103 and an AC200.
I would keep the 350's for cleaning/polishing/backup because I do not care for them as filters but I think they would work well in cleaning/polishing.
Thanks for any opinions.

[NickH]

Actually, the HOT Magnum is best used as a polishing filter due to it's portability. You can drop it on a tank and let it run for an hour, rinse off the micron cartridge and than go to the next tank, etc.

I'm not trying to steer you away from the Filtstar. However, another alternative would be to pickup a pair of (unpowered) Marineland Bio-Wheel Pro 60's and add them to the Magnum 350's. This costs about half as much as the XP3 and will probably add just as much biological filtration, while using the filters you already paid for. You'll also have two filters to move around as your needs change versus just one big canister.

Just another option to think about...

[rsava]

Thanks Nick. I already have the Bio Wheels, I think they do a good job of biological filtration. My issue with the Magnums are the maintenance of them. The inner filter sleeve is a pain in the .... to reassemble when I do a complete breakdown (which is often, since I have 3 filters going I break one filter down a week).

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by rsava
Opinions on filters please...
.... .....I am seriously looking at getting a Filstar XP3 and putting that on the 120G.... ..
Thanks for any opinions.
You can't go wrong with the Rena Filstar XP-3! I recommend replacing your other filter with this brand.. I did a "test" with a Fluval 404 and an XP-3, and the XP-3 did much better at filtration.

You will also appreciate the 'handles' on the XP-3... :)

[JSG]

Before you add another canister, you may want to consider putting a wet/dry on. You have plenty of mechanical, and you may be surprised at the wet/dry's results :)

[zzyzx]

Originally posted by JSG
Before you add another canister, you may want to consider putting a wet/dry on. You have plenty of mechanical, and you may be surprised at the wet/dry's results :)

Biowheels are wet/dry filters. You don't have to replace the Biowheels unlike bulk media wet/drys used in canister type wet/drys such as in the Ehiem 2227/2229 filters.

[JSG]

I know they are a wet/dry filter. I used to run 4 of them. I would still consider a sump style wet/dry filter for that tank. There is plenty of mechanical in there, and its hard to beat a sump system.

[rsava]

Thanks for the replies. When I first put in the tank I thought of a wet/dry sump but I don't like the idea of an open area of water under the tank (don't know of any other way to do that). I've got a 2 yr old and don't care to have open containers of water easy to access.

80gJoe - Are you recommending replacing the Fluval 304 or just the Magnums? I may eventually do that but right now I can only afford one. (Well I could afford two but I couldn't afford the divorce attorney that would be needed in the very near future. :D ) Maybe next month. At this point, with $1000's invested already I need to take baby steps for a while. I'm thinking the Fluval and the XP-3 will do an excellent job on the tank.

[JSG]

Dont blame you not wanting a sump with a child around.

On that note, consider the xp3. I am going to replace my fluval 404 with one. I personally will never have another fluval :rolleyes:

[125gJoe]

XP-3

[Jak Crow]

Yes. XP3