Canister Filter Advice For A Beginner

[mott]

The 2260 is a beast! you might have to clean it twice a year.
My vote goes to the 2260 or a pair of 2217's...Hmm can't decide

 

[lilim10]

Ok, this is what I don't understand about canister filters.. I read that the XP3 is rated for tank up to 175 gallons. I only have a 125. Why do I need two of them?

Never listen to labels...but there's no such thing as overfiltration. There can be too much current, but never too much filtration. So long as your fish aren't being blown away, the more filters you add, the better! I have 2 XP3s on my 90 gallon erv:

 

[number1sixerfan]

One word of caution, people like the Xp3 because of their value, but from my experiences their flow gets reduced more than other canisters when using different types of media.

I honestly think that you get what you pay for and so for my next tank I'm going with eheim. Rarely do you see anything negative said about them.

Good Luck.

 

[duke33]

I run 9 fluvals, 7 different sizes and years.(5 different tanks) Blue collar for me I guess. Love 'em.

 

[Cory Keeper]

If flow is reduce CLEAN THE DARN THING. You gotta remember, with ANY filter, your going to lose flow after adding media.

 

[AnDr3w]

I love my Eheim's, but I can't wait to try an FX5.

2028 ftw!

 

[Kevin007]

I plan on using 2 2217s and 1 XP3, 2217 for mechanical filtration and the XP3 for biological because of its significant reduce of flow rate after being stuffed with media.

 

[number1sixerfan]

If flow is reduce CLEAN THE DARN THING. You gotta remember, with ANY filter, your going to lose flow after adding media.

Of coarse, but when you clean multiple canisters at the same time, using the same media, in the same tanks pulling water back in at the same area in the tank you can easily see how one performs in comparison to another.

The Rena gets clogged faster. Of coarse you then clean it, but it means you will have to clean it more often than with other canisters. That is something to consider...

 

[number1sixerfan]

I plan on using 2 2217s and 1 XP3, 2217 for mechanical filtration and the XP3 for biological because of its significant reduce of flow rate after being stuffed with media.

I do the same thing with my Fluval and Xp3. I use the xp3 as biological and it never reduces flow, while the Fluval 404 contains the mechanical filtration because it takes longer to clog(about a week longer for me).

Good luck.