kerryve

Unfair.. i cant even cast my vote cos we dont have any of those here, even went to my pet store to check it out... oh well

Isabella

Your local fish store doesn't even have Whisper Tetra power filters? How about any sponge filters? They have to have some filters!

Craig

im fluval all the way!! lol they r gr8 wee filters!! there so quiet, easy 2 adjust, change and use get a fluval in ur tank !! lol

C W

Gunnie

I think your XP3 will be fine under the tank in the cabinet. That is the way I have had mine for 2 years and they work great! I also never cut the hosing from the filter to the tank, and it doesn't seem to be a problem.

JackieN

I use (for the first time ever) a Fluval 205 cannister. I used to use the HOB types when I had fish years ago. I love this one..easy to maintain, very quiet. Now I'm no expert by any means...but I'm happy with this one.
Jackie

Tumbleweed

I have the Fluval 405 in my 100gal tank. It says it is made for a 100gal tank, but it only pumps 225gph. From what I understand I need at least 500gph of flow in my tank. What Should I do to help the flow? Should I put in a power head? Or it ok they way it is now?

Isabella

In large tanks, powerheads usually help the flow, yes. A powerhead should be placed at the opposite end of the tank (that is, the opposite end to the one where the filter is placed). What you want is a uniform water flow/circulation, without any dead and stagnant spots.

From what I understand, in your case it would be best to have a filter (or 2 filters) that pump 500 gallons per hour in total (if yours is a canister filter). If you have an external power filter, it should pump 1000 gallons per hour total. The general guide for canister filters is to pump at least 5 times the volume of a tank, and for power filters to pump 10 times the volume of a tank.

If I were you, I'd get another Fluval 405 canister filter (that pumps 225 gph) for the tank, instead of the powerhead. And I'd place it in the other end of the tank. I assume the filter is a canister type. Is it?

Tumbleweed

Yes it is a canister style filter. I put a aqua clear power head in that I had as well as some airstones as well.

Isabella

If you cannot buy another filter, I suppose the powerhead and airstones will have to do. They should be OK with respect to water circulation. All this, especially if your tank is lightly stocked. BUT if your tank is fully stocked, or overstocked, it would be best if you could buy another filter for the other end of the tank. Not only would it provide good circulation, but it would also provide enough of biological filtration for the entire tank. Two times 225gph (450gph total) of a canister filter filtration would be excellent for a 100 gallon tank. If you bought the additional canister filter, you wouldn't have to use the airstones and powerhead, unless you'd want to use them.

finmama

I really like Aquaclear's...but I havnt had any of the other types listed.
My 10 g has an aqua-tech 5-15 and I HATE it,,,cant wait to get a new one.
I have a little Hagen Elite Stingray 5 too....its submersible. I think its an ok filter for a tiny tank.

COBettaCouple

We're buying the Penquin Biowheels now & really like them.

mychl717

My tank has been up and running for about 2 months. I went w/ an XP2 and I couldn't be happier.

The intake and output can be put anywhere you like, what I really like about the Rena system is that you can get their heater that goes on the intake, so it heats the water as it's getting pulled into the filter and you only have 1 thing stuck to the back of the tank.

My output is horizontal on the opposite side and pointing straight down, then I have a powerhead next to the intake for extra circulation.

The XP is easy to prime (only required the first time) and is super easy to clean and take care of... the hose is long enough to reach under your cabinet so the filter can be hidden away, and you certainly won't hear it.

One thing it took me a few times to figure out is that after you clean the filter out and you connect the hoses back, if the filter doesn't fill up automatically, check the output hose to make sure all of it is above the filter, otherwise it will create a trap and not let the air out, so the water won't come in...

I would get the XP3 if I were you, and get the heater to go on the intake too!

GL

steveangela1

I love my Eheim Ecco for my 55g overstocked Mbuna tank, I also have a penguin biowheel on it overrated for a 55 (its rated for a 75g)...
for my other tanks they all have penguins.
My 36g I am getting a Eheim Ecco for it soon.

BlueGreen

I have an Eheim ecco 2234 cannister for my 36g and love it! You cannot even tell it is running, it is so quiet. Also, it was very easy to set up and install.

peter

I found eheim very good I have 2217 and a 2215 very quite and very easy to get parts for if I ever do need them.

Halibut

I'm actually using both aqua-clear and penquin350. I put a small aquaclear on my wifes 10gal tank so I could adjust the flow all the way down for her Betta's. Not a bad filter except its noisy and I shoulnt have to disassemble to make it quiet. That being said I bought the penquin350 for our 55gal tank and found it to be almost silent, so I went and got a 2nd penguin350 and that one had a water trickle noise that bothered me. I figured out which biowheel was causing the nosie and flipped it over and no more noise. I am more than happy with the penguin filters and would buy them over the other's. Now I'm running both the 350's on my 55gal tank and have room to upgrade size without buying all new equipemnt just the tank. Also atleast at my local petsmart the penguin's are cheaper than the aquaclears.

Gozer_1

I've used Rena FilStars for over a year and a half and have always liked them. They certainly do the trick. I recently switched to a sump on my reef instead of the Filstars and I will never go back and would love to go sump style on all my tanks but I still run an XP3 and an XP4 on other tanks. The XP3 is almost 2 years old and has run without a hitch from day one. Never had to replace any parts or anything. Their downfall is carrying them to the bath tub or sink. I hate dragging them to the tub to clean them out. An XP4 is pretty good sized and weighs a bit when full of water and media.

Peterpiper

I have to say the Aqua One CF1000 is a great filter at a good price
http://www.theaquariumshop.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=186