Equipment Review and Discussion :: Question on XP3 - Can you use for 1 filter for 2 tanks?

[Pam]

I am considering purchasing an XP3 cannister filter. I currently have 2 fluval 4 inside filters in two 40 gallon tanks and they are messy. I was hoping there was some way I could use the one XP3 filter and hook it up to both. Has anyone tried this? Is it possible?
Thanks!

[missibsu]

Unless there is a way to split the intake and output tubes it isn't possible. I have never heard of anyone doing this before. If you have two 40 gallon tanks, I would be more tempted to use two XP2's I have a 75 gallons and my xp3 really moves the water. I would fear that it might be too much power for a 40 gallon tank. Going the route of two smaller filters would be more expensive than one xp3 though. Do you have turtles in both tanks? Because I was looking at ratings based on 2-3 times the size of the tank.

[steve]

Not something to try... using a second pump or splitting the the tubes isn't something to try. Any imbalance in water input/output would cause one tank to dry out and the other to overflow. The only way I could think of is having one tank above the other have have the water flow down from the top to the bottom... but that would probably be such a mess to do.

[Pam]

Thank you both for your help. I think I will try one XP2 filter first and see how I like it and how it works - then maybe get a second. I think it would be much easier to clean these tanks than having these inside filters - everytime I take them out to clean I have to clean the whole tank as some of the debris flies out into the water.

[steve]

I think the XP3 should be OK to use on a 40 gallon. I previously used a Fluval 304 on a 40 gallon plastic tub without a problem.

[marisa]

I've used the XP3 on a forty gallon stock tank with no problems (the stock tank was on a table with the filter underneath). I used the spray bar to lessen the current. I'd get the XP3 rather than the XP2 (you're eventually going to want one anyway ).