What media in XP3 for well-rounded filtration?

[superjohnny]

I'm thinking of getting an XP3, but I don't know which media or how much to get. If you have a Rena XP model filter, what type of media do you use and how much do you have?

Do you use the 20ppi or 30ppi open cell foam for mechanical filtration? Ceramic noodles or the star thingies?

Since I don't know how large or how many compartments the Filstar XP3 has, how do I know how much filter media to buy?

Any thoughts? Thanks :)

[fractionalguy]

Hello,
I recently bought an XP3 model which I found out was
a snap to get together and setup...:)
I was also not sure about the media since I hadn't
been all that familiar with this line of filters.
It comes with the foam inserts and some carbon packs
but for your "bio" compartment you will have to get
something like you mentioned.
I didn't want to buy anymore media, like rings stars etc.
cause of price, so I had some extra bio balls from a
sump I have and decided on using them and so far
so good. The media compartment in the XP3 is
quite large and holds lots so this made my decision
easy.
Hope this helps. Good luck fg

[beviking]

I have the XP3. I use the two 30 pores/inch and one 20p/inch in one basket. The next two baskets (did I put the other 20p/inch pad in there?) have 2L Efhimech (cuz it's $5/L vs. filstars $16/L for their ceramic noodles) and 1L filstar noodles (cuz I didn't know better) and I run the fine filter pad last. It's the only filter I run on my 90g tank and although it's only been up for 2+months, it seems to be doing the trick.

Oh, let me caution you with the hard hoses for the intake and outflow. Don't push them together too hard (maybe I got a little carried away?) or they can crack. That's probably true for a lot of things though. Good luck.

[Tyler718]

I use the XP3. I have the two 30 pores/inch and two 20p/inch in one basket. 1/2 the second basket has filter floss. The rest is bio balls. this setup is working great for me.