My filter strategy using Rena XP’s
A while back, I realized that canister filters were the way to go, rather than the HOB filters I had been using. At the time, there was a lot of debate about which filter was better. Most people agreed that the Eheim was superior. But it also came at a price. I found the Rena Filstar XP line and did some research. Most people agreed that it wasn’t the best on the market, but no one seemed to hate it, or have any specific problems - just that it wasn’t an Eheim. Looking at the prices, the Rena’s were less that 1/2 the price of a comparable Eheim. I decided to give the XP3 a try.
Coming from the land of Marineland HOB filters, I was quite impressed by the XP3’s power. But, I was quickly disappointed with how fast it became clogged to the point of no longer running. As I learned more about what the filter really needed to do, I changed my strategy of filter media in the XP3. I had been using two coarse foam pads in the lowest bin, two medium pads in the middle bin, the charcoal bag in the bottom of the top bin, and the micro filter in the top of the top bin. The whole thing would become a solid mass of black tar like stuff.
So, My new strategy was to use mostly bio media. It looks like this:
- Top 1: micro filter pad
- Top 2: bio media
- Middle 1: bio media
- Middle 2: bio media
- Bottom 1: medium foam pad
- Bottom 2: coarse foam pad
I found that the filter would run for about 6 months before needing to be cleaned. The downside to letting the filter go that long is that you may miss rescuing fry that got sucked in. I once found a nearly adult size swordtail dead in the bottom of my filter. What a horrible existence it must have had. I now check my filter for fry with a flashlight every other week.
Back on track…
The next advantage I found with the XP series was when I bought a new tank. On my existing 55G tank, I had an XP3 and a Marineland 350 HOB. I connected the new XP’s hoses to my new 55G tank and took unplugged and disconnected the XP3 from the existing 55G. The new XP3 was connected to the existing tank. Viola - my new 55G tank was instantly cycled, and my existing 55G did not show any noticeable signs of a mini cycle.
So, I now have an XP series filter on each tank. One of the tanks has 3. If I ever have a filter break, I have a ready spare that is already cycled. The interchangeable quick disconnects make moving them from one tank to another very easy.
I believe just about each brand of canister filter has that ability. I would highly recommend sticking with a common model of filter. It will let you buy some spare parts that can be used on any of your filters.