I have both the xp3 and xp4... and they seem to be the same filter, except the xp4 has 4 baskets instead of 3. Best value, brand name canister filter, I say the xp3. Both are Rock solid, super quiet, and easy as heck to set-up and maintain. The best thing to do for this filter is to put a sponge filter on the filter inlet. I used to lose some flow every 2 weeks before I did this... but I have Java Moss which loves getting in everything. Each basket in both the xp3 and xp4 have 2 chambers...in the xp4 I filled the 1st basket with the 4 supplied micron particulate screen/sponges, 2nd basket with 4 layers of blue pond filter mat, 3rd basket with ceramic noodles, and the 4th basket with the supplied bio-stars in the lower chamber and the supplied carbon bag in the upper chamber topped with a floss screen. Great water polisher! I have this xp4 in use on my 150g with a over-tank sump as well. My water is crystal and I overfeed a large pair of Oscars and a dinosaur sized Pleco. I would most definitely buy another Rena! For how good they are, you just cant beat the price and just how super quiet they are!
rena filstar xp4
- Thread starter threeguns
- Start date
SnukeMouse;5021970; said:
Both my xp3 and xp4 look identical on the top... impeller as well. Infact, I had my xp3 on my 150g before I got the xp4, and I just used the quick disconnect and attached the xp4 where the xp3 was. I lowered the disconnect handle, waited 2 mins for the self priming, then plugged it in. Viola, done.
Very happy Xp3 user here.
Ive had mines for about 3 months now and bought it new for about $150.
I have the 20/30 sponges on the bottom, then the whole middle tray with bio media and half of the top tray with bio, then the super polishing pads.
I do not thing the 2 20 and 30 sponges it brings are needed. I clean the filter every 2 weeks and the top 3 most of the time are very clean.
The only downside to this filter is loss in flow after about 2-3 weeks without cleaning. I have a pretty stocked 75 with this and a penguin 350 HOB, but if i dont clean it every 2 weeks the flow usually runs to 50%.
I will definately be trying putting some sponge on my intake and seeing if i dont lose as much flow so i would only have to clean about once a month.
There are other filters to consider but for the features you get in this, and how easy it is to set up and clean, i would not reccomend any other specially if youre new to canisters.
Forgot to add....
What size tank will this be going on and what stock? I would not spend the extra $ on the xp4 considering its the same flow rate.
Xp4 is $170 on ebay new and an FX5 is $220.... For $50 more i would def go bigger
Ive had mines for about 3 months now and bought it new for about $150.
I have the 20/30 sponges on the bottom, then the whole middle tray with bio media and half of the top tray with bio, then the super polishing pads.
I do not thing the 2 20 and 30 sponges it brings are needed. I clean the filter every 2 weeks and the top 3 most of the time are very clean.
The only downside to this filter is loss in flow after about 2-3 weeks without cleaning. I have a pretty stocked 75 with this and a penguin 350 HOB, but if i dont clean it every 2 weeks the flow usually runs to 50%.
I will definately be trying putting some sponge on my intake and seeing if i dont lose as much flow so i would only have to clean about once a month.
There are other filters to consider but for the features you get in this, and how easy it is to set up and clean, i would not reccomend any other specially if youre new to canisters.
Forgot to add....
What size tank will this be going on and what stock? I would not spend the extra $ on the xp4 considering its the same flow rate.
Xp4 is $170 on ebay new and an FX5 is $220.... For $50 more i would def go bigger
