Looking for good filtration that won't break the bank.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
sincebeen said:
The XP3 uses 19W, which is less than 1/3 the power used by the FX5. I'm having trouble finding the media tray specs for the XP3 but it looks like they're close to that of the FX5s. The FX5 does have a bunch of foam surrounding the media trays which gives it a much higher total filter volume, and it does filter at a higher rate.

You would probably be good for a long time with just the XP3. Put pillow stuffing in the bottom tray (the first tray) and something like Matrix, Biomax or Substrate Pro in the other two trays.(my preference is Matrix).

Your water parameters will tell you when it's time to add more.
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So I am going to follow your advice here for the xp3 setup. Couple questions though. Where does one find pillow stuffing and why do you use it? I will definitely look into one of those three bio filtration medias. It will likely depend on what I can find in my LFS.

You mentioned using the AC110 for mechanical filtration. What filter media should I end up using for that? I am assuming the media that comes with it is designed for a rounded filtration approach and so will not be the best for mechanical filtration.


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Mythic Figment said:
So I am going to follow your advice here for the xp3 setup. Couple questions though. Where does one find pillow stuffing and why do you use it? I will definitely look into one of those three bio filtration medias. It will likely depend on what I can find in my LFS.

You mentioned using the AC110 for mechanical filtration. What filter media should I end up using for that? I am assuming the media that comes with it is designed for a rounded filtration approach and so will not be the best for mechanical filtration.


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Click to expand...
Use 2 sponges in the a.c.110....Use the ceramic rings from the a.c.110 in the canister.....less ceramic to buy....for the can....
 
lp85253 said:
Use 2 sponges in the a.c.110....Use the ceramic rings from the a.c.110 in the canister.....less ceramic to buy....for the can....
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Sweet. Good idea.

Carbon is a debated. I know a lot of people swear by it and a lot who say to only use it if you really need to remove chemicals or odors. The AC110 comes with it (the 70 did too). I tend to only use carbon when I really need to. Is there something I should replace it with? More biological, mechanical or a different kind of chemical media?


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Mythic Figment said:
Will this stuffing work?

http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Mist.../www.getmonsterapp.com/]MonsterAquariaNetwork app
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yes that will be fine it's good mech. media:)..... as far as carbon goes I dont use it, unless its inside a cartridge that I am using,,,
 
^^^Yep.

That is exactly the stuff I was talking about. You'll see it called "filter floss" around here. 3lbs is a huge supply. You can get 8oz bags for ~$3 at your local craft store. "poly fill" is the key words. Most of the big craft stores have "50% off any item" coupons online all the time. You can also run that stuff in the AC110 if you're set on the HOB too.

As far as the bio media, the AC110 will come with 13.6oz (they measure in dry ounces, which is stupid) of AquaClear BioMax media. I'm not sure how much of 1 tray that would take up. The total volume of the Rena Xp3 is about 255 fluid oz, and as I said up there, I can't find info on the tray size for the Rena, but a practical estimate might be around 220 fluid oz total. So you'll need to add some. Matrix is like $22 online for 2L, which is 67 fluid oz (they measure in a fluid oz container) and Substrate Pro is around the same.

As for the carbon, don't waste precious filter space by using carbon. Save whatever carbon comes with the filters for when you need it; which is hopefully never.
 
sincebeen said:
^^^Yep.

That is exactly the stuff I was talking about. You'll see it called "filter floss" around here. 3lbs is a huge supply. You can get 8oz bags for ~$3 at your local craft store. "poly fill" is the key words. Most of the big craft stores have "50% off any item" coupons online all the time. You can also run that stuff in the AC110 if you're set on the HOB too.

As far as the bio media, the AC110 will come with 13.6oz (they measure in dry ounces, which is stupid) of AquaClear BioMax media. I'm not sure how much of 1 tray that would take up. The total volume of the Rena Xp3 is about 255 fluid oz, and as I said up there, I can't find info on the tray size for the Rena, but a practical estimate might be around 220 fluid oz total. So you'll need to add some. Matrix is like $22 online for 2L, which is 67 fluid oz (they measure in a fluid oz container) and Substrate Pro is around the same.

As for the carbon, don't waste precious filter space by using carbon. Save whatever carbon comes with the filters for when you need it; which is hopefully never.
Click to expand...

Sweet. Found what I need at Michael's. Its a 12 oz. bag. Should I pack it in densely or more loosely?

So I will need about 4-6L of the Matrix for the two trays?


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4L would be my target for now, and might be enough for a very long time. That's a gallon, which should fill two trays. I currently use 4L of Matrix/Pond Matrix in the wet/dry for my 125G. As I said before, our water parameters will tell us when it's time to add more.

As far as how much filter floss to stuff in there, you'll have to try different amounts to see what works best. The more you pack it, the more you restrict flow; but if you pack to little, you're not catching all the debris. Start small, like you're making a pillow lol, and go from there.

Honestly, if you're on a budget, I would start with the XP3 on it's own. With the setup we've described above, and the adjusted stock you've outlined in this thread, you will be good for a while.
 
sincebeen said:
4L would be my target for now, and might be enough for a very long time. That's a gallon, which should fill two trays. I currently use 4L of Matrix/Pond Matrix in the wet/dry for my 125G. As I said before, our water parameters will tell us when it's time to add more.

As far as how much filter floss to stuff in there, you'll have to try different amounts to see what works best. The more you pack it, the more you restrict flow; but if you pack to little, you're not catching all the debris. Start small, like you're making a pillow lol, and go from there.

Honestly, if you're on a budget, I would start with the XP3 on it's own. With the setup we've described above, and the adjusted stock you've outlined in this thread, you will be good for a while.
Click to expand...

Sweet! Thanks for all the help!


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