Equipment Review and Discussion :: Upgrade! New tank, new filter!help please!

[imderanged]

Well I have been talking about an ugrade for a while now. I know I said I wanted to go all the way and get a 120 GAL, but between finances and space conciderations, I have pretty much decided on the 75 gal. It's still almost 4 times the size of his current tank, and I imagine that if he does out grow a 75 gal it will take a long long time. I could go with a 90 gal, but the footprint is the same. it is just 4 inches higher. I don't feel like height is as important and as the woman in the fish store noted today, I am very short. I had not really concidered this particular issue before, but a tank that is 2 feet high and perched on a 2 foot tall stand may pose some issues for someone who is barely 5 foot. They did have a 75 gal set up though, and it seemed like a comfortable height for me to work with.

Anyhow, this leads me to my question. Originally I had wanted to get the Fluval FX5 when I was looking into 120 gal tanks. Now that I want a 75 gal, the Rena xp4 would be powerful enough. I've been pricing them online and it looks like I'm gonna have to spend around $50 more on the Fluval.I want the best, but $50 dollars is $50... Is it worth it? I really like what I read about the Fluval being able to drain the tank, can the Rena do that? My one worry is that the Fluval will be TOO powerful, my turtles still only alittle over 2 inches.

[N4784N R4613]

Both of those filters seem like over kill, unless you are planing an upgrade in the near future. If you decide to go with the XP4, I would just get the XP3. You save over $60, and I think an XP3 would work fine for one RES in a 75 gallon.

Also, if you are under 5 feet, I think you may have trouble handling the massive FX5. Even drained, it is rather heavy. I do know how big and heavy the XP4 is though... You wouldn't have any trouble with the XP3 though.

Between the XP4, and the FX5, I would go with the FX5. The FX5 has more features, is more powerful, and like you mentioned, can drain the tank at 900 GPH(if you buy the extra hosing). For being too powerful, you can always aim the duel output against a tank wall. That way it dissipates along the wall, instead of out into the swimming room. You can also reduce the flow of the output with the AquaStop Valve, but this reduces the life of the filter pump.

So, in the end it is up to you. FX5 may be hard to handle, XP4 may be a little over priced, and XP3 would work fine in a 75 gallon tank, with one RES.

I hope this helped,

Nathan.

[TheComputerGremlin]

I agree. The XP3 is really heavy as it is, I'm 5'2" and I have to have my husband carry it to the bathroom for me to empty it when it's full. The XP4 would add another 33% weight on to it, which would be insane. And a 75 gallon is probably a good lifelong tank for your turtle and an XP3 should handle that tank fine. And it would save you a lot too.

[BullDog]

IMO, I haven't found the FX5 heavy when drained. Plus it has carrying handles, so it is way easier to carry than say, a full Fluval 404.

Between the XP4 and FX5, I only have experience with fluvals, but I'm very happy with my FX5.
But as was said, if money is an issue, go for the XP3, since that should be a good size filter for a 75 gal

[Spookster]

I had an XP3 for the past 3 years and now I have replaced it with an FX5. I've had it in my 90 gallon tank for a week now and I can't believe how much better it is than the XP3 ever was new. Over those 3 years my XP3 got weaker and weaker to the point of I was either going to have to buy a new motor for it which isn't cheap or upgrade to the XP4 or the FX5. With the XP3 wearing out like it did after only 3 years I didn't want to take the chance that it's big brother the XP4 would do the same. With the better features and that fact that it is so much more powerful than the Rena's I would definitely pay the extra money for the FX5. I only paid $174 + $35 shipping for my FX5 on Ebay. Currently the XP4 at www.drfostersmith.com goes for $229 not including shipping. So unless you can find a less expensive price than that I would look for the FX5 on ebay.

[Spookster]

IMO, I haven't found the FX5 heavy when drained. Plus it has carrying handles, so it is way easier to carry than say, a full Fluval 404.

Between the XP4 and FX5, I only have experience with fluvals, but I'm very happy with my FX5.
But as was said, if money is an issue, go for the XP3, since that should be a good size filter for a 75 gal

The Fx5 drained is less heavy than the XP3 full and I speak from experience. The difference here being you can't empty the XP3 before you carry it to the bathroom but like you said you an buy the extra hose for it and let the filter drain itself. That is a very cool feature.

[mikee]

I vote the FX5 which is a very fine pump. Most turtle people under size the filters and have a problem with the water. You must think in terms of gph. Turtle aquariums require at least 5 times turn over in the water per hour. I have a 29 gallon tank with a 350 gph and it does fine. That is about a 12 time turn over per hour. More is better unless you turn it into a blender.

[imderanged]

!I put a deposit down on the 75 gal tank!!!! I guess what I wanna know is will the FX5 be TOO powerful? ugh there's one thats at $180 dollars w/ shipping on ebay. sounds like a good deal...but it ends in a half hour!!!!

[BullDog]

I don't think the FX5 is too powerful. I've heard of a couple people using it in a 55 gal, so a 75 gal should be just fine. $180 with shipping included? Sounds like a deal to me! I'd scoop it up, if you want to go for an FX5. Mine worked out to about $210 with shipping. I think that's about the same price as big al's sells the XP4 for.

[imderanged]

UGHHHHHH!!!! I LOST THE AUCTION ....I'll just try again.

[BullDog]

D'Oh!
Don't worry, I'm sure there'll be another one soon

[Spookster]

UGHHHHHH!!!! I LOST THE AUCTION ....I'll just try again.

This is the one I bought mine from. They have a buy it now option.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HAGEN-FLUVAL-FX5-CA ... dZViewItem

[imderanged]

ThanX Spookster! I'm going to try and win the auction ending tomorrow for 200 bucks that comes with free media and free shiping...but that auction is a great back up plan. unfortunatly the company is in Jersey so since I live in Jersey I would have to pay 7% sales tax. I'm so cheap! But hey, that 14 dollars could buy my turtle something else cool for his new tank, right? But thanks for the link!!!