Need Opinions - Filstar Canister Filter

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jzkmom

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Anyone who has tried The Filstar Canister filters - please tell me what your opinion is of them. I am considering a Filstar XP1 for my 30g planted tank. I read that the Filstar comes with the spraybar that is needed and everything, whereas the Eheim does not. How does the Filstar compare to an Eheim filter?

Do you think that the Filstar XP1 would be a big enough filter for a 30 gallon planted tank? I would like to add CO2 too (as soon as I can learn how), and I don't want to learn later that I bought the wrong filter. (I'm already having to ditch the Emperor 400 that I bought).

Does the XP1 provide enough space for the media that I will need for a planted tank? Exactly what media should be used in there?
 
I'm using an xp3 for my 135g so I can't really give you an idea of what an xp1 will look in size. However I can tell you that you can barely even notice that there is anything in the tank at all, the spraybar is at the top and is so thin that the plastic border at the top of the tank covers it. The intake is about the same as well, it's very hard to notice.
 
Hi jzkmom

My first bit of advice: search this forum for "filstar" and "XP1" and read all of the posts about these filters. It's what I did, and after a week of reading various people's experiences, I felt that I was able to make a good choice. I did finally decide on an XP1

I have the XP1 on my planted 20 gallon and generally have liked it a lot. While it does not have a button to push to self-prime the filter like the higher end Eheims (Professional series II), the filter itself is very easy to use. It comes with a basket for the media to go into, and it is divided in half so that you can put your biological media on bottom, then put the divider in, and then pile the carbon/mechanical media above that. Very easy.

HOWEVER, while my friend has had problems with his Eheim 2213 (mostly priming issues that nearly drove him mad), his filter can hold a TON of filtration media, while the XP1 holds suprisingly little. Sometimes I really wish that my canister could hold more, but my water seems ok, so I guess I really dont -- I guess its just filter-size envy. I use an HOB (hang on back) AquaClear 200 filter to do my mechanical filtering (I use 2 sponge pads instead of one, and then lay the carbon on top of them) while my XP1 handles the biological filtration (with the carbon insert inside as well). I use a combination of Filstar biomedia stars and Fluval bio-noodles for the bacteria colonies to grow on. My water seems very clear, and I have no complaints. Oh, I also put a cylindrical sponge "prefilter" on my inflow tube, so that no big particles go into the canister filter. I just wash off the prefilter once in a while and let the HOB do most of the mechanical filtering.

The XP1 comes with a spray bar that you can attach horizontally or vertically, and you can adjust the flow rate with a little valve. The inflow pipe and spray bars are a dark grey plastic, while the tubes going in/out of the filter are an opaque clear plastic.

I believe that the XP1 would be big enough for your tank, but you may want to go to their website and see the stats on the XP1 vs XP2. www.bigalsonline.com is the place to buy them, their prices are SO MUCH CHEAPER than local fish stores.

I hope that helped. Please feel free to ask me any further questions you might have. I will dig out the URL to my imagestation album where I have pics of my XP1, in case you are curious.

Good luck
 
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Here is my album from www.imagestation.com:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290255759
if you havent, just register (its painless, I dont get spammed by Sony, AFAIK) and you can view the pics at full size by clicking on them within the album. I'll paste some smaller pics below:

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A pic from when I first set up the tank - from left to right: XP1 inflow pipe; HOB inflow pipe; XP1 spraybar
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The top of the tank, at the opening in the back, behind where the light sits:
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i originaly was going to put the xp1 on my 29 gal.but after reading and learning i then decided to go with the xp2.which holds more media options.yes it costs a little more but if you want more packing options its worth it.the xp3 is the best solution for alot of media but again its higher priced.anyway im glad i went with the xp2.it works really well.im very happy with my choice.you will be too.
 
Actually, I forgot to mention what jdwyz just did. The XP2 can hold twice as much as the XP1.

the XP1 has one media basket. - $59.99 @ bigals
the XP2 has two media baskets. - $74.99 @ bigals

so if your tank can handle the outflow, then I would pay the extra $15 at bigals and get the bigger filter.

for info from the manufacturer:
http://www.rena.net/cgi-bin/trans.pl/en/products/rena_range/rena_filstar_xp.shtml
 
jdwyz, good choice!
I did an 'in house' test of the Fluval 404 and the Filstar xP-3 and the Filstar did a better job... :)
 
I bought the Via Aqua for less(again 3 models). They are nice + have they same basic design.

It's not about filter media capacity really, some is good, more is better etc, BUT......it's mainly for current/infrequent cleaning.

With all of these type filters, about 5x the tank volume/hr is good.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 
i was going to try a via aqua but the place i was going to get it from said i would have to buy the filter media seperate.after a little figuring i could buy the filstar for a few pennies more and i also have heard very good things about the rena filstars your the only person ive heard that have tried via aquas.did yours come with media?

i bought my filstar from petsolutions.com
it came with all of this bundled together.2course 2 fine filter pads
1 micro water polishing pad.and 1 liter of ceramic rings.
i was not expecting the rings but it was included.
 
jzkmom, why are your ditching the Emperor 400? If you think that you can't use hang on tank filters in planted tanks, you are wrong. You can use any filter you wish. The reason some people say that a canister would be beter for a planted tank is that they cause a little more surface agitation, so more CO2 gasses off than if you had a canister. But, there is no reason to switch filters just for that. It is minor, nothing to really be concerned about. If you are concerned though, just put the flow rate down on the Emp, but it really is fine all the way. Oh yea, make sure you keep the water high, don't let it drop too much, this will help lessen the surface agitation.
 
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