XP2 Vs. Fluval

[Mahamotorworks]

I am looking into getting a 55 Gal tank. It will be lightly planted I am planning to have about 2WPG and house all of my current fish, plus my bro's common pleco, and BIG Angel fish. I will use my current Top Fin 30 in it as well. I also want to get another filter. I was going to get a nother HOB but I am looking in to a Canister.

I was wondering what filter would be better? I was looking at the XP2 and the Fluval 305. They are rated for the same flow and same size tank. The XP2 is $80.00 and the 305 is $125.00. I really dont see what the extra $45.00 is for. They seem to have the same options and everything. All of the rating site that I have looked at rate them the same as far as customers reviews go.


I havent seen one in action so I was wondering what every one else thainks.

Thanks

MAHA

 

[Igor The Cat]

FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL FLUVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i love hagen, they make great product so im a fluval fan, and YES i DO know im the minority on this forum, so i am willing to bet that you will end up with a XP

cheers

-Java

 

[Lotus]

We have some Fluvals, and really don't like them. Luckily, we got them real cheap (like $10), but generally we like the Magnum filters better. The Fluvals don't seem to give much flow, and are a pain to prime.

To be honest, if you ask on any forum, you'll get a bunch of different answers, as everyone has their preferences for filters. The only filter I rarely hear complaints about are Eheims, and they're a lot more expensive.

 

[Katie217]

i got a fluval 304 on my 56, works great

 

[Lonewolfblue]

XP2 or XP3. Highly recommended by me, LOL. Ever since going to Rena, and having friends with Fluvals, I won't go to another filter. Rena is all I will use from now on.

Edit:
And as ssoon as I get my XP4 for my 75G, the XP3 goes back to the 55G to replace the 2 Emperor 400's where it used to be.

 

[Mahamotorworks]

I know that one canister filter is better the 2 HOB filters. I am going to spend the money and get a good one. I have been doing a lot of reading about the Rena and Fluval and it seem that the Renas are a better price for the same features. I might go up to a XP3, of would it be too much flow for a 55g?

MAHA

 

[Tomillo]

I use an XP2 on my 55, and everytime I've removed any of the media (charcoal, polishing pad, etc) I've had to turn down the flow. That said, if the XP3 seems to strong you can always turn it down, too. Either way, I'd definitely go with the Rena, the sediment space pulls all kinds of crud out of the water that would otherwise clog the filter!

 

[Lonewolfblue]

XP3 is perfect for a 55G. You won't have too much flow. And if you use the spraybar, have it vertical in the corner of the tank, and not horizontal across the top of the tank. It will be less visible, and you will have better circulation. And for media, use lots of ceramic rings, and a little bit of floss. No carbon needed. Keep the sponges in the bottom basket, the bio-media in the middle, and some biomedia in the top covered with some floss, then the micropads that comes with the Rena.

And if you use the power jet instead of the spraybar, you may get too much flow where the jet is. But in a 55G, it won't be too much.

And one other thing, if it turns out to be a little too much flow, you can always do one of 2 things, turn the flow down, or turn the spraybar a little towards the glass. That will cut down on the flow without turning the flow down.

 

[Mahamotorworks]

Here is the update. I ordered a XP2 for the 75 Gal tank I a getting middle of NOV. I have a couple of questions about getting it ready to use.

Since it will be a couple of weeks till I get my tank I want to seed the media in my 29G tank. I will be adding the sponges to my HOB filter to start out. I am not sure what else it come with or what I should buy for best results.

Any info would be appericated.

Thanks

MAHA

 

[Lotus]

Check if your filter comes with media. Some of the online retailers don't include it with the filter.

I would recommend the ceramic bio-rings that are for the Filstar products. You can put them in a media bag in your filter in the 29g to gather bacteria until your tank is ready.

 

[echoofformless]

XP2 vs. Fluval.

Same as Chevy vs. Ford.

Just buy the one with the prettier box.

They both do about the same job for about the same price. No need to even worry about it.