Fluval Fx5 Or Rena Xp4

[EgoFumPapa]

Trying to decide on the filter for my new 125 gallon. I've heard nothing but good things about the XP4 and it is $150 on amazon. Fluval is rated at a much higher GPH, but it is about $100 dollars more and have heard of many people having problems with them, especially the micro bubble issue. Anyone have experience with these two filters? right now I'm leaning towards the XP4, is there anything I need to know about these filters? I would go with an eheim pro, but they are slightly out of budget for me.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

FX5 every time, by far the best overall filter in my collection of nine, in hindsight I wish I had bought a second one rather than two APS2000EFs when they were more affordable here in the Uk two years ago (since then they have gone form £140 to ~£210). Built to last and massive cannister capacity, with a good flow that can be adapted for the type of fish you have by changing the output end piece from the diffusing souble double nissle to either a 22mm plumbing elbow or a drilled 22mm plumbing pipe DIY spraybar.

 

[EgoFumPapa]

Cool, I think I am going to go with the FX5. What do you recommend for media? I've heard that seachem's matrix is better than fluvals bio rings. What do you fill yours with? Thanks.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

I have Eheim Substrat Pro in all baskets with the standard sponges wrapping around each basket.

I could not be sure without googling, but I think Seachem Matrix is supposed to have even more surface area for bacterial colonies than Substrat Pro.