Magnum 350 Pro vs. Rena Filstar XP3

fiske

fiske

AC Members
Apr 1, 2006
108
0
0
Pennsylvania
Hey there,
I've been looking at canister filters for a 55g and want some user reviews for the Magnum 350 Pro and Rena Filstar XP3. This will be for the bottom tank on a double stand and the top tank has two power filters, a TetraTec PF300 (300gph) and a Supreme SuperKing (~600gph). I've decided to get canisters for the bottom tank so that I can clean them without having to reach behind the tank and will probably have two. I've pretty much decided on the Magnum because it has a simple design that looks like it would function as it should and the micron cartridge is reusable but would like to hear some answers and opinions for the following questions:

How many media layers does a Rena XP3 have?

Does a Magnum, with its single cylinder filter in the center, filter as well as a Rena with several layers of stacked media?

Then again would a Magnum clog less often and be easier to clean when needed?

Can the Magnum's micron cartridge be used most of the time when the tank is clean or does it clog extremely quickly?

I read on other posts that Magnums can be noisy, are they just noisy as far as canister filters go or does the impeller rattle? Keep in mind that the top tank has two power filters.

Do either canisters have leakage problems?

Thanks for the help.
 
The xp3 has 3 media layers. The Magnums from what I have read in the forums are more 4 water polishing. I have an xp3 and xp4. They both are loud making a very annoying humming noise. If I could do it it all over I would spend the extra $ 4 the ehiems. Hope that helps a bit
 
Well...here goes:

I have 28 Mag 350s, some with bio-wheels, some without. I have run them for 30+ years on all sizes of FW tanks.

Not sure why icecubez doesn't consider them a true canister filter, when most likely, they are the original, besides maybe Vortex Diatom style ones.

I do not recall mine ever being noisy to any extent, ever. I rarely use the micron sleeve, prefering my Vortex for water polishing. Some of mine run nothing but pure carbon, and on others the basket has ceramics in them. All of them are run with the blue floss sleeve around the basket.

A fair amount of the other canisters have more volume, but they also consist of many more parts and dividers and flow redirection that tremendously decrease their supposed flow capacity.

I have never had impeller noise issues and only one motor issue in all this time and that unit was 12+ years old. My oldest 4 are 26 yrs old.

I also have never had leakage issues, with the casing or the coupling valves or hoses. I take all of mine apart weekly and clean them, which is probably against the normal trend.

I personally do not see the attraction to multiple baskets. For me the theory of you requiring multiple baskets for different media is more marketing ploy than functional for the majority of users. I'm sure some can use them for a few specific needs, but in general they are lights and whistles above function.
 
i would never consider a magnum as a main filter, but more of a water polisher, as rbishop said.
 
The point of my post was that it is the main filter for me, all 28 of them on numerous tanks, NOT a water polisher. I have never used the micron sleeve supplied with them. I use my Vortex Diatom for polishing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom