Equipment Review and Discussion :: XP3 big enough for 100Gal stock tank?

[BullDog]

Would an xp3 be big enough for a 100 Gallon stock tank, or would it be better to go with something a bit bigger like the fluval FX5?

This would be for one adult turtle in the tank.

Edit: I almost forgot about the xp4! Are those of you that have the xp4 happy with it?

[marisa]

Some people have the Fluval FX5 and like it. You could also go with an XP4...

[DocShay]

I got an XP3 in a 75 gallon tank with 2 adult RESs, double the waste of your turtle...smaller tank - and the XP3 works fine.

I'd asume XP3 would do you tank fine, but it might be worth it to go for the XP4.

All in all, the XP3 is wonderous, especially for the price you can get it online for.

[steve]

I had problems hooking up an XP3 to my 100 gallon tank. It have in such a tight space that it makes accessing the filter a real pain. If the FX5 has flexible tubing like some of the other Fluvals (304, 404, etc) then I think it might be a better choice.

[mikee]

Bull Do -- The XP3 is marginal as it only pumps 350 gallond per hour. You will need one that pumps at least 5 times your tank volume. The FX5 pumps about 900 gph which should do you fine. If you are going to use a stock tank, how are you going to heat it?

[BullDog]

Just a regular heater is how I was planning to heat it. BigAls has a 300W on for $21, $5 off.
The xp4 is 450gph, which is pretty close to 5x guideline. The biggest reason I'm leaning towards xp4 versus the fx5 is price. BigAls has their xp4 on sale for $40 off, so it's only 159.99!
Actually, I haven't found out how much the fx5 is locally, so I'll do that next

[PeaceOut]

Bull Do -- The XP3 is marginal as it only pumps 350 gallond per hour. You will need one that pumps at least 5 times your tank volume. The FX5 pumps about 900 gph which should do you fine. If you are going to use a stock tank, how are you going to heat it?

I thought it was 2x the size of the tank? I have an xp2 for my 20gal. Thinking of upping it to 50gal.

[BullDog]

Usually you want a filter rated for 3x your tank size, so for a 50 gal, you'd want one rated for about 150gal.
GPH is another indication for how big of a filter you need.
I'm not sure which metric is better for gauging filter size.
The xp2 would be a bit small for a 50 gal, but it wouldn't be too bad. In this case, the xp2 meets the gph requirement, but falls short on the gallon size.
Overall, if you do partial water changes, I think an xp2 for a 50gal would be OK

[mikee]

B-Do -- I am not sure about the rated by a gallonage. I have found that the fish people do this and have no regard for gph. When asked about a turtle tank, they will simply double the gallon size and do not take into consideration of gph. I use the water exchange of 5 times the volume that you have in the container. The FX5 will do that and more. It has a tremendous filter area and lots of gph. It also cuts off every 24 hours and lets the gases and or air come to the top and then restarts its self. It is very easy to clean and change out.

[PeaceOut]

even if you have a 50gal tank...you don't really fill it up to the top. So i guess it becomes more like a 50gal tank but with 40gal of water in it.

Maybe I should trade up to the XP3. Should be able to sell my xp2 to a new turtle owner.

[RockyAndRambo]

Just a regular heater is how I was planning to heat it. BigAls has a 300W on for $21, $5 off.
The xp4 is 450gph, which is pretty close to 5x guideline. The biggest reason I'm leaning towards xp4 versus the fx5 is price. BigAls has their xp4 on sale for $40 off, so it's only 159.99!
Actually, I haven't found out how much the fx5 is locally, so I'll do that next

I've read in other posts about their turtles knocking off the intake strainer of the XP canister filter, then proceeding to have one of their appendages getting sucked to the intake and getting injured! Well, if you're planning on getting the Rena XP3 or XP4, AND you're still looking for a heater, note that Rena makes a heater that they call the Rena SmartHeater which replaces the intake strainer of the XP3 or XP4. There is a 300 watt model which is rated for 90 gallon aquariums. For a photo, see here: SmartHeater (Note that this is for reference purposes only so you can get an idea of what it looks like.) A little more expensive than a stand-alone heater, but may alleviate the problem others have had with the little strainer getting knocked off by their turtle. Plus, the heater is protected by plastic so it won't get busted as easily as one of those glass models. Just a thought.