Newb Filter Questions

D

DJ_CAL

AC Members
Nov 10, 2003
14
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Northern California
So Ive had a 20 Gallon for about 6 moths and I just bought a 55 Gallon from walmart it came with a filter but im almost positive it wont be enough. Im thinking of going with a filstar xp2 but I have a few questions...

Does the Filstar have a pump already?
will these two filters be sufficiant for a planted community tank?
Is there a better route to go? I dont have a ton of cash but I dont mind buying somthing good.
 
the filstars come complete you might need media though not sure. if you want planted you need to take the powerfilter from walmart out so you might have to get the next bigger filstar or do more maintenace witht he xp2. -john
 
DJ,
I have a Filstar XP-3 on a planted 75 gallon and have been very happy with it. The XP filters come with inlet/outlet rigid plastic assemblies and tubing which means the filter is almost ready to roll right out of the box. Good quality biologic media (ceramic rings, bio-stars, etc.) are unfortunately not included.

Good luck!
-fpsiv
 
Yea, the mechanical media is included. I ordered an xP3 from Big Al's online last week and I received it on friday. They sent my a "bonus" pack that came with a pack of ceramic rings. I filled the other compartment with bio balls. Honestly, I would get an xP3 and not use that crappy one from walmart.
 
mmmm Id rather go with the xp2 becasue theres about a 35 dollar difference between the two,
if I go for the xp2 would I just need to clean it more? And what is the maintanance schedule like on these?
Also what media arrangment would be best?
Couldnt I run the cheap walmart filter at the same time or would it just be more trouble than its worth.

thx for your help I have alot of questions
 
Its $20 difference on Big Al's Online and its worth it for 50 more gph and 2 more filtration compartments. But, I can't force you to do anything. You have 2 foam 30 pads, then 2 foam 20 pads, then your biological filtration, then the micro filtration pad.
 
Originally posted by DJ_CAL
Couldnt I run the cheap walmart filter at the same time or would it just be more trouble than its worth.

thx for your help I have alot of questions
Click to expand...

If your tank isn't planted yes definately you can... (if it is planted I'm not the one to ask).

I am familar with the walmart filters, my first tank was a wal-mart 30 gal a few years back (granted mine was a 170 and your is a 300/330?)...

It worked fine, but has it's problems... mostly it has no bio-wheels or media baskets to place bioballs / ceramic noodles ect. to get that biofiltration...

My tank was fine but I kept it lightly stocked... what happens to the walmart or should I say Regent power filters is everytime you throw out the filter cartridges, you throw out all your good bactiria that was living on it.... Use it for the added mechanical filtraion only if you want to... Or try to sell it for 10 or 15 bucks, LFS stores / walmarts charge about 30 bucks for it.

If you want a power filter, get a penguin 400, or do a XP2 and penguin 330 (at big al's the emp. 400 is about 40 bucks the 330 is 30ish...) or stand alone xp3

For just over $100 bucks with a 400 and the x2 or 3 you'll be looking at less than $150 bucks from Al's and be able to handle a heavily stocked tank...
 
I think Im going to go for the xp3 at first and then once I start stalking the tank ill put in a penguin 330 that way I won have to worry about filtration. But what would be the ideal media for the xp3?
 
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