To all you Filstar Users out there...

nursie

nursie

AC Members
Jan 15, 2005
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Peoria, IL
Real Name
michelle
I have been reading product reviews on the Filstars. I have a 55 gal tank, and according to the company spec, the Filstar 2 should filter up to a 70 gallon tank.

I plan to have a community tank, freshwater..no live plants, or not many. No goldfish.

Some of the reviews I read implied that it was not adequate for that size of tank. What are you that use them finding? I read reviews from 2-3 different places, but I think folks here have more experience.

Also, where do you set your filter up in relation to your tank? Can I put it in the cabinet under my tank..is there adequate pressure to run the water up back into the tank, and to syphon down into the filter?

I can get one on Ebay for $74.99, the seller is actually an online supplier, www.petsolutions.com
Anyone ever done business with them either online or thru ebay?
 
I own a FilStar XP1 and have it on my 20g tank. Its a great filter no matter how you look at it. Its effective, quite, east to clean, and the media Rena makes is great! You cant go wrong with this filter.

The XP2 has a flow rate of 300GPH, giving you a 5.45 turn over rate. Theres nothing wrong with this but it is on the lower side. A XP3 could be used to get more of a turn over rate. With the XP2 you can not keep a whole lot of fish due to the lower flow rate. With the XP3 you may be able to keep a few more fish in there. The XP3 aslo has more room for media so I think that its the best one for you.

My filter is on the side of the tank. Under the tank, in the stand would be fine to. The max. space you can have between your tank(the top) and the filter(top) is 55" (From the website) however that is pushing it. You may reduce the flow keeping it that far from the tank.
 
More than enough filtration for what you have. The filstar can go underneath. Adequate pressure. 300 gallon per hour! That puppy is a pumpin. I recommend it totally. Most folks believe that you can never have enough filtration on a tank. Well, it's true. That's why you read about it not being enough. If you want to realoly max it out get the XP3. If there is too much pressure you can add control valves to it.
 
What I read indicated that altho the XP2 was manufacturer rated for 300 gal per hr, and what is delivered lower than that, some even speculated as low as 200 GPR.

The price difference wasn't significant..maybe $14 to $15, so maybe the larger would be a better choice to be safe.
 
I use an XP2 on my (heavily planted) 65g. It's housed under the tank in a cabinet with the intake on the back right and the spraybar at top-centre. There's enough flow for my needs, and the water stays very clean.
These are fantastic filters. Whether you go with the XP2 or the XP3, I think you're making a great choice :D
 
I have an XP2 and an XP3 running on my 100 gal. oscar/jack dempsey tank and absolutely love them. I did a lot of research before getting a canister filter, and chose the filstars because of price, easy to lift out and clean baskets, auto priming, and it's supposed to have an auto shut off if the motor starts to overheat. I have had mine almost 2 years, and they have never let me down. I think I would go for the XP3 in your case though. They also sell the XP2 at Big Al's. It's $5.00 more, but compare the shipping with the ebay auction and see if it's a good deal for you. I have ordered other items from Big Al's and had a good experience. I don't know about the company you mentioned. At least if you decide to go with the ebay auction and get outbid, you know how much they are at Big Al's. Great filter!
 
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