Impressed with the Rena XP Series - Aquarium Advice

jamesrm · 11-27-2006, 01:58 PM

Alright,
So I have had a 30g setup at my desk at work for a few months, and I always have debated on adding a canister filter to its HOB filter currently installed on the tank.

Well, when I dropped by my office Saturday to check on the tank, it was cloudy, had 2 lyretails passed and a ammonia spike... I decided that was the last straw, and after doing an 80% PWC I went to petsmart and bought an XP1. Wow, it really is a great filter. I have used Magnums and Fluvals before, but I like this design loads better. I went with the XP1 as I did not want an insane tank turnover, but I wish now I had gotten the XP2 for the additional media basket.

I setup the XP1 for mechanincal filtration, but it also has their activated carbob/bio filter pad installed. I removed the sponge from the HOB filter and added more bio media for the bio filtration. I am hoping this will solve any future spikes.

I had also had an ugly, bad smelling outbreak of brown algy, and the XP1 eliminated that, and my water is so clear now I think I need to get my fishies sunglasses to protect them from glare

lmw80 · 11-28-2006, 09:07 AM

That's wondeful! You should write a review for it in the review section.

Lonewolfblue · 11-28-2006, 11:17 PM

Yes, the XP's are great filters. I have the XP2 on my 29G and an XP3 on my 75G, and really like them. Also, if you put 1 coarse and 1 medium sponge in the lower half of the basket, that will take care of the biological filtering as well. then the upper half you can use floss or any other combination you want for the mechanical. I use floss in all my tanks, makes for nice clear tank water.

jamesrm · 11-30-2006, 11:52 AM

Lonewolf,
Is the floss finer than the micron filter they provide?

Lonewolfblue · 11-30-2006, 04:38 PM

I would say it's pretty close to the same.

Shelby_Tempo_GT · 12-03-2006, 05:27 PM

The Renas are great.

The modular set up allows you to upgrade to other XPs easily, reusing your media.

JustOneMore20 · 12-03-2006, 07:19 PM

I love the 2 Rena XP3s I have...and I'm buying an XP2 for my 38g this week. I want to eventually get an XP for my 29g, should I go with the XP2 or would an XP1 be enough? The bio-load is kind of heavy....

Lonewolfblue · 12-03-2006, 08:48 PM

XP2, that's what I have on my 29G.

7Enigma · 12-04-2006, 07:49 AM

What did you do with the sponge you removed from the HOB? If you are in the process of a minicycle from the recent fish deaths I would recommend NOT removing any established media at this time.

Sounds like a great filter.

jamesrm · 12-04-2006, 05:06 PM

I tucked it into the XP basket to help seed it. Seemed to work great.

I would go with the XP2 for the extra media bucket.

11-27-2006, 01:58 PM	#1
jamesrm Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 211	Impressed with the Rena XP Series Alright, So I have had a 30g setup at my desk at work for a few months, and I always have debated on adding a canister filter to its HOB filter currently installed on the tank. Well, when I dropped by my office Saturday to check on the tank, it was cloudy, had 2 lyretails passed and a ammonia spike... I decided that was the last straw, and after doing an 80% PWC I went to petsmart and bought an XP1. Wow, it really is a great filter. I have used Magnums and Fluvals before, but I like this design loads better. I went with the XP1 as I did not want an insane tank turnover, but I wish now I had gotten the XP2 for the additional media basket. I setup the XP1 for mechanincal filtration, but it also has their activated carbob/bio filter pad installed. I removed the sponge from the HOB filter and added more bio media for the bio filtration. I am hoping this will solve any future spikes. I had also had an ugly, bad smelling outbreak of brown algy, and the XP1 eliminated that, and my water is so clear now I think I need to get my fishies sunglasses to protect them from glare

11-28-2006, 09:07 AM	#2
lmw80 Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bristol, Pa Posts: 4,805 Images: 40	That's wondeful! You should write a review for it in the review section. __________________ -Lori Join the Eastern PA/Greater Philadelphia Forum! Click here: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/groupcp.php?g=7825 Aquariums are like jello - there's always room for more.

11-28-2006, 11:17 PM	#3
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,857 Images: 7	Yes, the XP's are great filters. I have the XP2 on my 29G and an XP3 on my 75G, and really like them. Also, if you put 1 coarse and 1 medium sponge in the lower half of the basket, that will take care of the biological filtering as well. then the upper half you can use floss or any other combination you want for the mechanical. I use floss in all my tanks, makes for nice clear tank water. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

11-30-2006, 04:38 PM	#5
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,857 Images: 7	I would say it's pretty close to the same. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

12-03-2006, 07:19 PM	#7
JustOneMore20 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: May 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,114 Images: 8	I love the 2 Rena XP3s I have...and I'm buying an XP2 for my 38g this week. I want to eventually get an XP for my 29g, should I go with the XP2 or would an XP1 be enough? The bio-load is kind of heavy.... __________________ ~Kristin~ 5 planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g My links to pics: My 40g breeder log, My tanks blog

11-30-2006, 11:52 AM	#4
jamesrm Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 211	Lonewolf, Is the floss finer than the micron filter they provide?

12-03-2006, 05:27 PM	#6
Shelby_Tempo_GT Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: GTA Posts: 72	The Renas are great. The modular set up allows you to upgrade to other XPs easily, reusing your media.

12-03-2006, 08:48 PM	#8
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,857 Images: 7	XP2, that's what I have on my 29G. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

12-04-2006, 07:49 AM	#9
7Enigma Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 2,620 Images: 5	What did you do with the sponge you removed from the HOB? If you are in the process of a minicycle from the recent fish deaths I would recommend NOT removing any established media at this time. Sounds like a great filter. __________________ 20G High -Currently in tank: 2 checkered barbs, 1 gold barb, 1 cory, 1 BN pleco, MTS, lots of plants. http://www.photolocker.net/images/7Enigma/milfoil2.jpg

12-04-2006, 05:06 PM	#10
jamesrm Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 211	I tucked it into the XP basket to help seed it. Seemed to work great. I would go with the XP2 for the extra media bucket.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
impressed by cardinal's	justrelax	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	17	08-30-2006 04:15 PM
Impressed in Randallstown.	Devilishturtles	Mid Atlantic & the Virginia's	7	08-07-2006 05:56 PM
I was impressed!	QTOFFER	The Lounge	16	01-10-2005 10:17 AM
I was impressed	lyquidphyre	The Lounge	5	06-22-2004 04:17 PM
It's been too long! Im real impressed	d9hp	The Lounge	7	05-18-2004 01:42 PM