Filstar XP 2

[hangdogdaddy12]

I just ordered a Filstar XP 2 from Bigalsonline and it's on the way. If there is anyone that already has one of these filters and would like to give some info, I would :really appreciate it. I have spent a week researching Fluval, Eheim, and Filstar and for the money Filstar seems to be almost on the same level of Eheim from what I've read. I've read to many bad things about Fluval, (hard to clean, clogged impeller,etc.) so anyone got any comments?

 

[ronrca]

I have a Filstar XP-3 also bought from Big Al's. I love it. I have never had an eheim so I can not compare it but I really love my Filstar. Easy to clean, quiet and seems to run forever. I have had it for a year now, running non stop. Great filter and I would recommend it to anyone.

 

[Somonas]

I have a Filstar XP1.  I love it.   It is very easy to clean and maintain, much easier than my Eheim 2226.  

Not a lot of media space in the Xp1, about the same as an Aquaclear 300, but it works for me.    You can customise it too, different outputs - spraybar, venturi, etc.. and it's great for injecting Co2.

 

[hangdogdaddy12]

I really appriciate the response *celebratesmiley* and am glad that I found this web site. You can learn a lot about keeping a tank perfect. I give it a  *thumbsup2*. The corporations should visit these sites. It would really help them in correcting the problems with the different filters. Right now I have two Hot Magnums hang on canister filters by Marineland, one of which is a Regent bought from Wal-Mart. The Regent, which is made by Marineland, I've had about two years and have never had any trouble out of. The other I just bought with a bio wheel 30, (the pro system) and it too works really well, although the bio wheel does get in the way of the cord coming out of the back of my light hood. I just wanted to graduate to a true real under the tank canister filter. *twirlysmiley* I can hardly wait.

 

[geoffgarcia2]

I have a filstar xp2, never used any other cannisters but I dont' think I'd ever switch brands now, this unit is soo easy to use, I can't imagine there being anything better.

As far as Somonas comment on adding CO2, I dont' think its very good for that at all. The xp2 unit has a device that sits at the top of the tank that your supposed to use to fill the tubes with water for your inital use. There is a small amount of air that gets trapped up there, and if you were to run your co2 into that input pipe it would all get trapped up there and not disperse into the water? Just a though?

 

[ronrca]

I have my C02 tube in the intake of my XP-3. Works great!

 

[geoffgarcia2]

do you guys know the thing i"m talking about though?
where you add water on your inital starting of the filter?
don't you think you lose gas through that?

 

[hangdogdaddy12]

I don't know what piece your talking about as I have'nt gotton my filter yet,(next wed. or Thur.) but I'm glad I got some discussion going about the Filstars. Is'nt it interesting that a filter that does such a good job is one of the most plain looking filters on the market. I suppose the company was more interested in making a good functioning unit than something that was pretty. Just a thought :

 

[dattack]

That's what is so odd about it.  You have the fluval and the eheim who had there models out for so long yet the Eheim is too pricey and the fluval has some problems in term of maintenance.  This is a good intermediary.

It's kind of similar to the aquaclear which is cheap yet effective.  You can also say this about the maxijet powerheads which are very reliable, cheap, and effective.

 

[hangdogdaddy12]

:-/ Guys and Gals, I know I'm not in the right department so to speak, But I just got another Yellow African Cichlid and put it in the 55gal with one other Yellow African Cichlid and the first one there does'nt seem to want the new one to share appartment. If you know what I mean. So, Does this mean that I've got two Males or what. Do any of you know what the deal is with that. I thought a 55 would be plenty of room for two of them.? *twirlysmiley*

 

[rummynose]

Hey Hangdog... thanks for the post.  I checked out Bigals and my XP2 is now on the way.  ...and I was going to buy a Fluval for the same money.

 

[hangdogdaddy12]

I'm glad ;D I could help. Believe me folks, not getting any money or free gifts from them, But bigalsonline.com is by far the cheapest that I've seen on just about any product, especially big items like filters. As soon as I get my Filstar I'll post how it arrived and give a report on if everything was there and so on.  *thumbsupsmiley*

 

[geoffgarcia2]

actually I've seen them sell new on ebay for 68$, I believe big als sells them for 75?

and used you can easily snag one under 45$

 

[Dinocine]

Ron, mixing co2 with the water through the filter seems to work, but doesn't the turbulence diffuse it like the way air bubbles do?

 

[hangdogdaddy12]

:-/ It may be true Geoff that you can get it cheaper on E-Bay and some of these other bid sites, but I worry about what I'm gonna get for my money. Especially if I'm buying something used. Am I going to get all the parts?, Is the unit going to leak? For me My best bet was to save some big money at bigals and know I'm getting unopened new product. But to each his own and thanks for the comment. *thumbsup2*

 

[Somonas]

That thing you are talking about Geoff would be GOOD for co2 - not bad - because if any did collect, it would dissolve into the water eventually, since there is no atmosphere around it.   But the water is passing by that little "pocket" so quickly I highly doubt that it would get a chance to collect.

You put the cap on after your filter is going, but I assume you know this.

My filstar is great for co2 - every 2 seconds I can hear a good shwooosh of bubbles going down the hose... they go down and under the filter box, and up through the sponges...  No complaints here.

 

[geoffgarcia2]

without the cap on there would be quite a mess *LOL*
Try taking it off *LOL* (no, I haven't done it!)

 

[ronrca]

Taking the cap off would cause the water to shoot out of the end. Believe me, Ive tried it (by accident of course).

Dino,
Im not sure what you mean by "turbulence diffuse it like the way air bubbles do?"

 

[hangdogdaddy12]

;D I got it!!! It was here in four days flat. Having never had an external canister filter, and a owners manual that is somewhat weak on details, I was still able to hook it up in about a hour and a half after getting off of work Wed. night. It is doing great *thumbsupsmiley*. Be looking in product reviews, as I will do a review on my new Filstar XP2 probably Sat. night. Later Guys and Gals. Hang

 

[Somonas]

That is one bad thing  *thumbsdown2*. the instruction manual is just pictures.  no words.  I guess it's a way to save on printing multiple languages.

editted to add - I just read another post on this board which reminded me of one more  *thumbsdown2*.   The plastic rena hoses are clear, not green (like eheim) or black (like Fluval). So.....   in about a month you will see nice brown slime algae inside your hoses.  This does not affect filtration (in my experience) but it's nice to give them a good cleaning with a hose brush when you clean your media.  This will not affect biofiltration, and it's good because when people come over to see your tanks, they won't ask about the crap in the hoses (this happened to me)

Anyway, I can't wait - do you like the filter?  how do you have it configured ?