Equipment Review and Discussion :: [Help] XP3 Canister Filter Media Setup

[Yaddle]

Any recommendations? carbon bags? Zorb? Rings?

rings on the bottom or top?

Help!

[marisa]

Have you purchased the filter? If you needed a manual (your other post), did you get it used?

If you don't have them, you need the sponges (coarse and fine) for mechanical filtration, they go in the bottom basket (coarse sponge first, followed by the finer one).

You need biomedia, and that would be the ceramic rings. You don't have to get Rena's brand, Fluval's (or another brand will do). They go in the second (middle) basket. You don't have to use media for chemical filtration (that would be the carbon or chem zorb), but if you do, I'd get the carbon. One package is good for up to a 55-gallon tank, I think. It is a little cheaper (or used to be) than the chem zorb. It needs to be changed about monthly.

If you don't want to used carbon, you can load up on the biomedia (rings) and put them in the basket where the carbon would go (top basket). The basket should be filled with something---it's up to you.

Lastly, some people use microfiltration pads at the very top. I never found them that useful, and stopped using them after a while.

Isn't some of this info in that PDF manual?

[Yaddle]

I have a XP3 I got used and doesn't have all of the parts.

I have been using a xp1 but I am going to a 75 gallon.

The manual was kind of vauge.

"The xP3 filter also features an additional compartment allowing you to increase filtration capacity still further by adding extra biological filter masses, This is for specialist use and allows you to obtain the very best results possible."


I like the carbon bags. I'm scared of the zorb. Is the material loose?

Should I use 2 bags for a 75 gallon?

Thank you very much for the help!

[octpusgirl8]

If you buy the carbon or bio chem zorb made for the filters it comes in sealed filter bags. If you want to save money you can buy loose carbon and pack in in the basket in between layers of filter floss. Two bags would be plenty, but make sure you have lots and lots of rings (or stars), biological filtration os very important..

[mikee]

While visiting my local aquarium shop I found a net bag that has a pull strung at one end and you can put in your own carbon that you can buy in bulk. It is cheaper and easier.

[Yaddle]

Thanks for the replies.

Does an XP3 have a stronger motor than an XP1 or does it just hold more?

[TheComputerGremlin]

It should have a stronger motor to increase the gallons per hour flow-rate.

I discovered the extra compartment when I bought my XP3, I put the Bio Stars in there, I was looking for ceramic rings too, but the store didn't carry any for the Rena filters. I bought some of the Fluval pre-filter ceramic rings instead and put the extra compartment below the filter pads. I figure it will trap any solid waste before it gets to the pads, extending the life. Then I have the Stars, and then the BioZorb.

[marisa]

I've bought Rena's carbon pouches and also once bought a large container of carbon from bigals and tried making my own (Petsmart sells media bags). It was messy, and after calculating it out, the cost of making the carbon pouches was just a bit less than buying the carbon already bagged. I don't know how much the price of Rena's carbon pouches has increased, but if it's about the same or not that much more, for the convenience, I'd just buy the pouches. (They're cheaper online, you can buy ahead.)