Rena Filstar Canister Filters.

[Mettle]

I'm looking to get a canister to put on my turtle tank and have been browsing and looking at some different types. I love my Fluval404s but was thinking about maybe trying another brand.

I started looking at the Rena XP1 on Big Al's online and other places. It says it does up to 250 gph versus the 180 a Fluval 204 of the same price's 180 gph.

I've heard that Renas are better for biological filtration. How is their mechanical filtration, though? Because this will be going on my sanchezi piranha tank and I need both to be good.

I could keep a powerfilter running on the tank, I guess, to help with mechanical. But the entire purpose of grabbing a canister is because I want to eliminate the need for a power filter altogether.

Thanks for any opinions/suggestions.

[Aiglos]

I highly recommend the XP models.  

As for mechanical filtration, it is a canister filter afterall. if you want good mechanical filtration take a look at some HOBS, you will get alot better turnover rate.  

That said I have 2 xp3s on my 130 gallon and they do an amazing job of mechnical filtration and Bio filtration.

[Mettle]

The point is I want to get rid of the HOB filters that I have on there right now. I find them annoying and am a canister type of guy.

I'm not looking for super industrial mechanical filtration. However. I don't want my canister wimping out on me.

[Aiglos]

What size tank stephan ?

[Mettle]

30 gallon long.

[Aiglos]

Get an xp2  you will be laughing.  

rated for 300 GPH  realistically you are a bit lower then that,  will give you your 10x turnover rate that you would be pushing for in messy fish so you will have better mech filtration then a HOB,  use a spray bar and put the spray bar at one end of your tank and it wont over power your pirahna.

[darkdep]

You'll notice that Canisters generally have much lower flow rates than HOB's...that's for a reason.  Slow flow is better for biobugs, and thus why canisters are so good at biofiltration.  Slow flow over lots of media is ideal for bacteria...but it's not ideal for mechanical, where high flow is better.

I'm sure a higher rated fluval (304+) or XP will do what you need.  Just ignore the ratings on the box

I'm also a canister guy, so I know what you're looking for.  You could look to do two canisters to help with mechanical.  And make sure you use floss in the canisters.

[Mettle]

I'm not too worried about water flow. I have a powerhead in there right now specifically to provide flow for the piranha. Another reason for going for a canister - to eliminate the need for a powerhead.

Another consideration is I'd like the canister ideally to fit into the small cupboard that I have under the tank. Aesthetics, haha. But if not that's no problem.

I had a Fluval 404 on the tank at one point. But I took it off a while ago. I still have it, not running on anything at this time, but would like to add it to my 72 gallon for extra filtration as soon as I get new hosing for it.

[redbelly]

I have a 304 running on my pirnaha tank (as i too prefer canisters) but find that a power head with a prefilter makes a big difference. I hide it behind my drift wood as best as i can and it helps creat circulation for the piranhas and cleans up anything on the bottom.
I do also run an ac300 though for surface aggitation.

Slight overkill maybe but im not big on doing water changes.

[oenology]

My experience with the XP - will never buy one again - clip design is dumb and breaks. Replacement parts are so expensive it's not worth fixing them. My advice - stay away, way away.

[Mettle]

My experience with the XP - will never buy one again - clip design is dumb and breaks. Replacement parts are so expensive it's not worth fixing them. My advice - stay away, way away.

Haha. Thanks for the words of caution.

[Seanc]

get an ehime!!!

[Mettle]

get an ehime!!!

Are you buying?  :lol:

[darkdep]

Yeah...the "get an Eheim" comment is just too easy.  I mean, you're not going to find many who will complain about eheim (I have one myself), but the cost is usually just too rediculous for all except the truly insane.