Canister Filter - Eheim or Filstar XP? - Aquarium Advice

LindaC · 11-06-2006, 01:53 PM

I am trying to decide which type of canister filter I should purchase, I've heard good things about Eheim and also about Filstar XPs. I am leaning more toward the XP due to lower cost and easier installation and set, from what I have read. I'd like to hear from people who have either one or the other and how they feel about the one they have.

Also, if I was to purchase the XP, what size would work the best on my 29 gallon tank? Any thoughts and recommendations are truely welcome.

Many thanks!

zacusmaximus · 11-06-2006, 01:57 PM

Rena Filstar!

You could use an XP3 on a 29. It might be a little overkill, but the extra media storage is always nice. There is an included flow-control for the return, in case the output is too much. At least you'll have a nice big XP3 should you ever need to move it to a larger tank.

LindaC · 11-06-2006, 02:02 PM

I think your right, the XP3 would be wonderful, but a little large for my 29 gallon, I was even thinking that the XP2 was too big, but now I'm even more inclined to go with the XP2.

Will the XP2 hold the same amount of media, comparable to this size of course?

gheitman · 11-06-2006, 02:16 PM

I use an xP1 on my 30 gallon planted tank and it has proven to be the perfect fit. I also got the Hydor ETH inline heater and both items have really uncluttered my tank and my plant growth has been much improved.

zacusmaximus · 11-06-2006, 02:18 PM

The XP series is based on a universal "media tray", each tray has two compartments. The XP1 holds one tray, the XP2 has two, XP3 has three, and the XP4 has four. The pumps have modest flow rate increases with each model in the line. XP1 250gph, XP2 300gph, XP3 350gph, XP4 450gph. Especially considering the cost difference, I'd still suggest the XP3. BigAl's has XP2 for $75 and the XP3 for $90. Also, keep in mind that the flow rates are dependent on your media loading. If you have a full stack in an XP3, I'd bet that the flow rate is halved. I have a bunch of XP3's and most have two 30ppi and two 20ppi sponges and the rest is packed with ceramic or plastic biostars/balls.

TwoHobbies · 11-06-2006, 02:20 PM

I think you'll love the xp2. Its still a little overkill for a 29 but will work fine. The xp2 has 2 large media compartments while the xp3 has 3.

I use the xp2 on my 54g and with some filter floss ( not included ) it keeps my tank crystal clear.

SCFatz · 11-06-2006, 02:39 PM

I have the xp3 on my 50g...and honestly I think it overkill on it.The xp3 on a 29 would overkill in a large way imo.

I love the xp series though.Its been a great filter.

LindaC · 11-06-2006, 03:03 PM

Should I order extra media when I purchase the XP2, and if so, can anyone give me suggestions on the media that comes with it and what media would be good for me to add in the basket? What type of media comes with it, sponges, floss, bio rings?

I am also considering adding the Hydor inline heater to the system, I am psyched at the thought of removing some of the clutter in my tank, especially my Aquaclear 70 HOB, which works great but leaves from my plants keep getting sucked in to the out-take piece.

maxwell1295 · 11-06-2006, 03:24 PM

I have Eheim classics, a XP2, and a XP1 on the way as a 2nd filter for my 29G. Personally, I think the Eheims are built better and seem more durable, but the XP series are some VERY nice filters. My XP2 is just as quiet as the Eheims and does a great job of filtering. I like the fact that you have so many different setup options with the media. I use the XP2 on my 46G for both mechanical and biological filtration. The XP1 will go on the 29G primarily for biological filtration, but I will probably put a course sponge in there too.

Either way, you can't go wrong. They are both both at the top of the food chain when it comes to canister filters. I don't think anything else is close (don't get me started on the Fluvals).

For the money, you're not going to beat the XP's...unless you stumble onto a practically new Ehiem 2217 with media for 60 bucks.

TwoHobbies · 11-06-2006, 09:22 PM

When I purchased my xp2 (a yr ago) it came with course and fine sponges, also a bag of carbon.

I purchased ceremic rings and filter floss. I'm planted so I don't use the carbon.

I wish I would have ordered the inline heater...now I'm hoping santa brings me one.

11-06-2006, 01:53 PM	#1
LindaC Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 355 Images: 1	Canister Filter - Eheim or Filstar XP? I am trying to decide which type of canister filter I should purchase, I've heard good things about Eheim and also about Filstar XPs. I am leaning more toward the XP due to lower cost and easier installation and set, from what I have read. I'd like to hear from people who have either one or the other and how they feel about the one they have. Also, if I was to purchase the XP, what size would work the best on my 29 gallon tank? Any thoughts and recommendations are truely welcome. Many thanks! __________________ 29 Gallon Planted Tank 10 Gallon Non-Planted Tank

11-06-2006, 02:02 PM	#3
LindaC Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 355 Images: 1	I think your right, the XP3 would be wonderful, but a little large for my 29 gallon, I was even thinking that the XP2 was too big, but now I'm even more inclined to go with the XP2. Will the XP2 hold the same amount of media, comparable to this size of course? __________________ 29 Gallon Planted Tank 10 Gallon Non-Planted Tank

11-06-2006, 02:16 PM	#4
gheitman Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Champaign, Illinois Posts: 1,199 Images: 4	I use an xP1 on my 30 gallon planted tank and it has proven to be the perfect fit. I also got the Hydor ETH inline heater and both items have really uncluttered my tank and my plant growth has been much improved. __________________ Gene Heitman - 10 tanks, 178 gallons, 20+ species of fish/shrimp/snails, 52+ species of plants ... 8 years ago I just wanted 1 tank with some fish - what was I thinking

11-06-2006, 02:39 PM	#7
SCFatz Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 814	I have the xp3 on my 50g...and honestly I think it overkill on it.The xp3 on a 29 would overkill in a large way imo. I love the xp series though.Its been a great filter. __________________ Fatz 90g SW FOWLR 50g tall fw planted at .6wpg 29g fw planted at 1.2 wpg 10g fw planted at 3 wpg cf

11-06-2006, 03:03 PM	#8
LindaC Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 355 Images: 1	Should I order extra media when I purchase the XP2, and if so, can anyone give me suggestions on the media that comes with it and what media would be good for me to add in the basket? What type of media comes with it, sponges, floss, bio rings? I am also considering adding the Hydor inline heater to the system, I am psyched at the thought of removing some of the clutter in my tank, especially my Aquaclear 70 HOB, which works great but leaves from my plants keep getting sucked in to the out-take piece. __________________ 29 Gallon Planted Tank 10 Gallon Non-Planted Tank

11-06-2006, 01:57 PM	#2
zacusmaximus Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 196	Rena Filstar! You could use an XP3 on a 29. It might be a little overkill, but the extra media storage is always nice. There is an included flow-control for the return, in case the output is too much. At least you'll have a nice big XP3 should you ever need to move it to a larger tank.

11-06-2006, 02:18 PM	#5
zacusmaximus Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 196	The XP series is based on a universal "media tray", each tray has two compartments. The XP1 holds one tray, the XP2 has two, XP3 has three, and the XP4 has four. The pumps have modest flow rate increases with each model in the line. XP1 250gph, XP2 300gph, XP3 350gph, XP4 450gph. Especially considering the cost difference, I'd still suggest the XP3. BigAl's has XP2 for $75 and the XP3 for $90. Also, keep in mind that the flow rates are dependent on your media loading. If you have a full stack in an XP3, I'd bet that the flow rate is halved. I have a bunch of XP3's and most have two 30ppi and two 20ppi sponges and the rest is packed with ceramic or plastic biostars/balls.

11-06-2006, 02:20 PM	#6
TwoHobbies Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Western New York Posts: 357 Images: 9	I think you'll love the xp2. Its still a little overkill for a 29 but will work fine. The xp2 has 2 large media compartments while the xp3 has 3. I use the xp2 on my 54g and with some filter floss ( not included ) it keeps my tank crystal clear.

11-06-2006, 03:24 PM	#9
maxwell1295 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 887 Images: 7	I have Eheim classics, a XP2, and a XP1 on the way as a 2nd filter for my 29G. Personally, I think the Eheims are built better and seem more durable, but the XP series are some VERY nice filters. My XP2 is just as quiet as the Eheims and does a great job of filtering. I like the fact that you have so many different setup options with the media. I use the XP2 on my 46G for both mechanical and biological filtration. The XP1 will go on the 29G primarily for biological filtration, but I will probably put a course sponge in there too. Either way, you can't go wrong. They are both both at the top of the food chain when it comes to canister filters. I don't think anything else is close (don't get me started on the Fluvals). For the money, you're not going to beat the XP's...unless you stumble onto a practically new Ehiem 2217 with media for 60 bucks. __________________ 125G Mostly Malawi Tank 75G Malawi Mbuna 7G Office MiniBow 125 Gallon Mixed African Thread, 75 Gallon Mixed Malawi Thread

11-06-2006, 09:22 PM	#10
TwoHobbies Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Western New York Posts: 357 Images: 9	When I purchased my xp2 (a yr ago) it came with course and fine sponges, also a bag of carbon. I purchased ceremic rings and filter floss. I'm planted so I don't use the carbon. I wish I would have ordered the inline heater...now I'm hoping santa brings me one.

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