rena filstar xp2

[Andy16]

I was thinking about getting an xp2 instead of my original idea of the eheim ecco. The rena gives me 279 gph rather then 127 put out buy the ecco. Its only like $8 more too. Any body want to argue?

[125gJoe]

No.
:D

[Andy16]

I was waiting for you to reply to this post:D

By the way that had to have been the easiest post you have ever made. Thats how i wish i could make my post count go higher :D

[125gJoe]

Ok, I'll add more by saying, how can you get more filtration with less 'gph' flowing thru the filter? Some may think it does... :rolleyes:

[poormanisme]

no argument from me, the filstar and ecco are both excellent filters. as for more filtration with less flow, I believe there may be some truth to that. If the water has more contact time with the media i am convinced that filtration should be more efficient. with personal experience with my tanks, a good canister with 0 by pass is pretty hard to beat. However with most of our tank we over filter the crap out of em' so it probably doesnt even matter. :D

[Andy16]

I am actually thing about getting the xp3 intstead. Forget about HOB, ive had enough of them. Do you think an xp2 can filter this tank by itself?http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14815

[125gJoe]

For a 20 gallon, the Rena Filstar xP-2 will be fine..
It should have a flow adjustment too -- nice that Filstars have that.. as well as lots of ways to configure the 'spray bar'. Put that below the surface for planted tanks and aim it down some..

Here's a link to filters. Look about half way down on the website and you will see specs on the Rena xP's....

Link:
FILTERS (http://madhunag.tripod.com/filters.html)

[Andy16]

Thanks joe;) If i happen to have the 100$ for some odd reason ill get the xp3, otherwise ill take your word for it and get the xp2.

[superjohnny]

The XP3 is for tanks >40 gallons Andy, that's just more filtration that you possibly need. If you get a tank 5x bigger that's still enough filtration. Talk about going overboard... you want 110w of PCF light, the biggest canister you can find etc etc, but you only want a 20g tank? This is odd to me. Why don't you look at a 29g or 55g? They're much more flexible (plant & fish wise).

Andy what I'd really like to see is ONE thread with all your questions. I find them all over the place and it's hard to get the big picture of what you're trying to do.

If you want my opinion you should go to Walmart and pick up a 10g and a bag of blue & bag of pink colored rocks, some plastic plants and a ceramic treasure chest with scuba diver :D That'd be awesome :) Enter that in the AGA contest!

[Andy16]

I already have a 20 gallon tnak taht has been set up for 6 months. MY parents wont let me get a bigger one so theres not much i can do. And whats so bad about going overboard? The tank will be heavily stocked with plants and fish and all i want is the best. And im not getting 110 watts of pc lighting, only 55 watts. I have so many different ideas and they all come on at different times. so tehre isnt much i can do. Maybe if i had multiple tanks and $2000 on hand it wouldnt be as hard.

Ya know what im sayin?



If you want my opinion you should go to Walmart and pick up a 10g and a bag of blue & bag of pink colored rocks, some plastic plants and a ceramic treasure chest with scuba diver

I like going the more natural route, but thanks anyways.


I hope im giving you the big picture in this 1 post.

[superjohnny]

You know Andy, overkill on lights & filters etc might be a good idea. That way, if you want to upgrade your tank later you don't have to upgrade the rest of your stuff. And if you can adjust the flow on the filter it's probably worth an extra $20. If you build the canopy yourself and retro in an ahsupply 55w PCF you can always take out of there and put it over a bigger tank down the line.

That's probably a really smart idea Andy. What kind of plants are you thinking about?

The blue/pink substrate tank idea actually came to me because I went to a buddy's house the other night and that's how his was. His fish were really healthy, but the pink gravel cracked me up. He had the ceramic pillars, plastic plants... the whole thing. :D

[Andy16]

55 watts inst overkill is it? 110 watts is but 55 watts is only like 2.7 watts per gallon. That was my idea ll along, overkill everythign and then if i am able the get a bigger tank i dont have to buy anything else.


I havent even thought about the kind of plants i want yet! Once i get the lights and get it all together, like make the co2 and buy the ferts and stuff, i will look into it more. The only thing i HAVE to have is anubia nana. I love that plant. Other then that, i hevent put to much thought into what i might like, just what the plants i choose need to survive before i get them. ( same with the fish i will be getting along with the plants.) This way i wont get ahead of myself and look at the best stuff, but look at hte stuff i need.

[superjohnny]

aquabotanic.com has extra large anubias nana's for $18. That's a lot of $, but it's a great deal for that plant. I'm thinking of getting one this weekend. I think Joe has dealt with aquariumgarden as well. They seem to be very low cost, but I can't talk to their quality.

Have you given any though about what you are going to do about a canopy?

[Andy16]

Well since im giving up on HOB, Size wont matter that much anymroe for them. I dont wnat to buy ahsupplys canopy because i know i can make one for less then 31$ and still have room for my dawn and dusk 13 watt actinic light. i mean it cant be that hard, all you need is some wood glue and a drill( and maybe some nails or screws) Glue the reflectors to the top of the hood and drill the holes fo the cords. sounds simply enough. Make a simple box shape canopy and stick it in back of the tanks leaving room in the front for the food.

[superjohnny]

There are a couple of links on their site to walk-through's on building them. One problem you might have with the dawn/dusk thing is finding a timer that goes on twice a day. My electronic timers only go on once a day. Make sure the timers you get have a three prong inlet BTW... I made that mistake.

[caffeine]

Why does it matter if they have a 3 prong plug? My light fixtures only have 2 prong plugs.

[ROLLIN]

Hey andy, I'll take your hobs off your hands for you, I dont mind donations....... I'll pay shipping. :D

[superjohnny]

Originally posted by caffeine
Why does it matter if they have a 3 prong plug? My light fixtures only have 2 prong plugs.

And you have normal output fluorescent lights right? Both my Custom Sealife 96w PCF hood and 13w AHsupply PCF both have three pronged power cords... third is the ground. I'm fairly certain all PCF lights have a ground.

Well, it's not technically the lights, but the ballast... you catch my drift.

[125gJoe]

Everyone...try and seek out 3 prong plugs for electrical! It's a 'ground' connection and it's a good thing!

superjohnny,
..good pics! Keep your tank organized... Large plants near the back, driftwood, or a unique rock near the middle, smaller plants on the sides and ... etc... Give your aquarium the apperance of a large setting..

Or, whatever you like! I like the Onyx sand for sure!! At least one or 2 pics look like it.. :)

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by superjohnny
........The blue/pink substrate tank idea actually came to me because I went to a buddy's house the other night and that's how his was. His fish were really healthy, but the pink gravel cracked me up. He had the ceramic pillars, plastic plants... the whole thing. :D :eek:

[750t]

Andy, I have a xp2 on a 55 gal and I also have 20 gal planted tank. I have a hob on the 20 which i would like to replace with a cannister, but that xp2 is going to put out alot of current in a 20. Why not just get the xp1 and save some money.

[ChilDawg]

Overboard is okay...but make sure that your fish love the extra filtration as much as you do...my mini-Whisper in my 2-1/2g tank for Patriot almost sucked the poor guy in until I figured out to unplug it, read the diretions and basically turn off the flow...

[Andy16]

I thought that the rena had a flow aduster. Then i cant hagve to much out put flow.

[Fishskin]

It does have a flow adjuster, but it is not infinitely variable to zero. I have an fx2 on a 29g and it produces a lot of flow...not every fish I have loves it, they just avoid it.

[Andy16]

It will still lower the water current some. Right now my penguin and my AC probably create a lot more current the that would. My tnak looks like it would be located at the bottom of a waterfall.

[750t]

Yes Im sure it would be less than what you have now. Them Acs are a water fall. Tim

[Andy16]

Ok, so any last thoughts on the xp2 or the xp3? i still dont know which one to get.

[125gJoe]

According to Rena's website, the xP-1 and xP-2 are rated for aquariums within the sizes below...

xP-1 15 to 47 gallons
xP-2 40 to 80 gallons

I would get the xP-2. It should have an adjustable flow 'valve' on it - my xP-3 does. If it turns out it's too powerful even with it turned down you may be able to return it. Ask ahead about returning the filter if it's not what you expected... Anyway, you can "grow into" the xP-2 ---- good excuse to upgrade to a larger tank!

[Andy16]

Ok, so an xp2. could i get an an additional xp1, just so i have 2 intakes?


Thanks Joe.

[125gJoe]

The xP-2 will be plenty of filtration, no need for an xP-1..

If you have extra money, get the Vortex D-1 diatom filter! That's a real nice addition to filtration.. :)

[Andy16]

I just got my weeks allowance so i can get my lights. SO the next stop is the filter, and ill try and save up for a vortex because i like how it works, and when i first start messing with ferts and stuff, it might be a good thing to have for algae control.

[superjohnny]

I still think you should get the XP3 Andy. You can never have enough filtration and it'd be fun to watch neon tetras in a tank that puts the water through a filter 9 times per hour. If you add an air pump and crank up the heater it'd be just like a hot-tub.

<caution> This reply may contain bad advice </caution>

[Andy16]

LOL superjohny, if i want mroe ill just get another xp2 or xp1.