Buying Canister filter, which one??

[FMZ]

I am in the market for a new canister filter. My tank is a 30 gallon cube. Eheim is out of the question as it is very expensive. I am leaning toward Rena Xp1 or Xp2 or Fluval 204, 304.

Also I was wondering if I can keep the filter beside my tank or do I have to keep it below the tank? Also do these filter comes with a flow control like AquaClear filters?

Thanks,
FMZ

 

[drobbins27]

Yes, you can store it beside the tank. I believe the Fluval 404 hasflow control, im not sure about the other models tho

 

[FMZ]

Is it going to create a Tsunami for my fish??

 

[thecichlidaddict]

A 404 would just be silly for that tank. A 204 would be plenty. Even a 104 would do the job.

 

[marks69]

i have a 304, and you can adjust the flow.after you get it set up it's a nice filter, just setting it up is a pain in the ***.lol
i would go for the 304, so there's room to upgrade the tank down the road, and get a bag off floss from wall mart for $3 and you set for media.i don't run carbon in my tanks cause of the plants, just 2 different types of sponges, and floss, and the rings.
gl
mark

 

[FMZ]

Where do I find this bag of floss in walmart???

I really dont know what floss is

 

[thecichlidaddict]

Filter floss is just cheap, white, material. It either comes in in rolled sheets, or bags (like the filling for stuffed dolls). I buy the rolled sheets from the fish store and cut them out to fit whichever filter it is being used in.

 

[Sky042]

I have the 304 in my 46 and it used to keep up with oscars without issue. in fact recently I filled it up(without fish) and stired up the sbustrate so bad it looked like mud. the filter had it clear in minutes.(I did this so I could get the majority of the crap out before I drained the tank.

 

[Small Fry]

I'm currently running an XP1 to drive my UV and a Fluval 404 for main on my 90 gallon. I would never buy another Fluval.

To clean the XP I disconnect with the one handle disconnect. Carry the unit by the handle to sink and clean/change media.... and bring back. It self primes (really!!!) and I wait 2 minutes or so and plug in - done.

The Fluval involves pumping on the priming handle for 10-20 minutes to clear the air and start the flow - not fun.

The Fluval makes a noticeable sound - not as loud as my air pump but noticeable. I can't hear the XP and only know it is running by watching my plants sway near the outlet and my danios swimming in the current.

I am fed up enough with the Fluval that I am 'upgrading' to an XP3. The Fluvals and the XPs roughly cost the same.

 

[Bobdole10]

I know this is going to sound stupid but what the hell is an XP ? name/brand? please let me know

Plus I agree with the Fluval things I had a 304 and broke 3 times and is now dead.

 

[ouchia]

an xp is a filstar filter made by rena. the filter you'll ask for is a filstar, rena is just the manufacturing counterpart of the company. i've heard great things about the filstars....