Equipment Review and Discussion :: Eheim Pro II 2128 or Rena XP4/XP3

[Snowboi]

Getting a new filter, trying to decide which one would be best bang for the buck. I know that with the Eheims, you get what you pay for, which is a good thing. I've heard some pretty bad things about the XP4, but nt much about the XP3. My plan is to run one upgraded filter and maybe run my other (crappy Marineland 350) as a bio filter. I wanted to just get the XP4 and be done with it all, but I here some bad things about it, so not 100% sure.

The XP3 is like half the cost of the Eheim 2128 thermo, and nearly the same max tank size (which wll decrease while in use). I'd like to run just one filter, but I may keep my Marineland 350 as a bio-filter, instead of a mechanical filter, not realyl sure yet.

Any help is apreciated.

[steve]

How big is the tank you want to run these in?

[Snowboi]

Sorry, I thought I typed it, but I guess I forgot. Its for a 110G freshwater tank, filled to the top if it matters. I will only be buying one filter, I want that one filter to count. I know getting two XP3's will be the best (priced at 184.99 at Foster and Smith, I havent found many deals that also offer free shipping), but it goes way over the budget at around $369.+.

[Snowboi]

I'm thinking a Rena XP4 would be good enough, but I'm not sure if it would have any major problems like some have said. I found a couple deals, Marinedepot, and Bigalsonline, also on Ebay. I'm still trying to decide, because if the XP4 will have these problems some people claim its having, then I'm better off getting one XP3. But even if it does have problems, there stil lthe warranty that would back it up with a new one.

I hope to get a answer today, because I will be making buy within a week (Tuesday at the most, today at the least).

[steve]

If you haven't considered it, the FX5 has huge media capacity and to go for around $200 on ebay.

[Snowboi]

Well, just got the XP4, bought it on Ebay today. It got shipped today via UPS.

I did consider the FX5, up until I searched for the problems, then after like 20 sites/forums (and to many posts to count), I didnt feel that would be the best choice. Also, it doesnt really matter that much to me about how much media it holds, its what size of tank its rated for (cut the size in half for turtles and general usage of the filter will slow it down), and what problems I may have. If I bought my Marineland 350 canister filter, then I would have searched for problems it will/may have in the future, but I didnt buy it, I got it for free with my tank.

Thanks for your help.

[steve]

The personal reviews for the FX5 have been pretty good on this site... and so have the XP3/4. I have 2 XP3s and they are very simple and reliable filters. Easy to take apart and clean, I think you'll be happy with your choice.

[VeipaCray]

You can't go wrong with the Rena xp4, the fx5, or the eheim. The eheim is the best of the three technically, but it also carries a very hefty price tag.

The magnum 350 isn't a good bio filter because the media basket is tiny, but it is a fantastic water polisher if u get the pleated micron filter.

[Snowboi]

Got the XP4 yesterday. Seems to work good. I will be checking up on it everyday to make sure there arent any odd sounds.

So far, so good.

[VeipaCray]

Good choice. Did you add any bio media to the filter or did you just use what it came with?

[Snowboi]

For now, just what came with it, and added some lava rocks. Took awhile to get the carbon looking stuff to come out clear, every move I made, it made the water black, then clea, got annoying after awhile.

[VeipaCray]

Yeah carbon will do that, esp cheap carbon - what you get with the filter. Bulkreefsupply.com has good carbon for cheap when you need to replace it or you could go the Purigen route. Purigen is a synthetic renewable substance (clean it and use it over and over) that is a replacement for carbon. Big Als has Purigen cheap right now.

[Snowboi]

Thanks for your help, I may just grab some right now along with new filter media, just to get everything ready.