75g w/ xp3, more filtration?

[MurderedOut]

So i got my 75g ijust got all set up finally and its cycling currently.

i have an xp3 setup on it right now with a 300w smartheater (very impressed so far btw).

i have the powerjet outlet from the xp3 on the left side with a hydor koralia #3 below it for some water flow. and the inlet(being the smartheater) is on the right side.

bio media in the second tray of the xp3 is two bags/boxes of rena stars, one bag/box of fluval biomax and about half a bottle of seachum matrix.

top tray is full of polyfill and the polishing pad that the xp3 came with.

is that a proper set up for waterflow, and bio filtration?


SO, the question being:

i got two AC50's with the tank, should i add those to it? as im reading im seeing most of you have mucho filtration on your tanks. i should have went with the xp4 but would rather not spend any more money on it! and judging by the flow rate of the xp4 over the xp3, its just not much of a difference. if i had to do it again i would probably go with the fx5.

So, should i add the AC50s that were previously on it? if so, where should i mount them? one on each side? both by the outlet of the xp3? or by the inlet/smartheater?

 

[Jgray152]

Don't spend the money on a Xp4. Waste of money for an extra basket.

Flow Rate with Media
Rena Xp3 = 175 GPH
Rena Xp4 = 187 GPH

Not very impressive at all.

One Fx5 will do that tank right by its self. Depending on Head Height and Media, you will get between 500-600 GPH with the Fx5.

As of right now, I am trying to get a pump flow graph for the Fx5. Head height vs flow volume.

 

[andro23]

The extra basket is nice...I bought an XP4 when they came out...its a great biofilter due to the huge amount of media and relatively low flow when packed full. But not worth the price diffrence between the XP4 and XP3. Sure add on the AC50s...no point having them lay around, right? The XP3 should be able to handle most 75G tanks stock on its own but more is always better expeically if your going to be keeping some cichlids/other larger fish

 

[Jgray152]

I wouldn't trust a Xp3 or a Xp4 on a 75 with a good stocking level at just over 2 cycles an hour.

 

[MurderedOut]

Flow Rate with Media
Rena Xp3 = 175 GPH
Rena Xp4 = 187 GPH

Not very impressive at all.

I assumed the flow rate would be around what it was rated for. the xp3 at 350 and the xp4 at 450.

So i saw the FX5 on ebay for 180 + 40 shipping (so 220). Is that a good deal? Thats only like 50 more than i paid for the Xp3 at petsmart(didnt feel like wating).

The only downside is that you cant incorporate the fx5 with the rena smart heater. however im sure theres a way to make it work together with the right inlet tube to fit the heater. I wouldnt wanna lose that because im really impressed with it at this point.

Stocking for this tank will be:

1 Tiger Oscar
3-5 senegal bichirs (a couple albino)
another cichlid (havent decided yet)

I know most of you will say the oscar will outgrow it, but i am fully aware, and prepared. (which is probably why i should have went with the fx5, because it would perhaps be more usefull on a larger tank in the future). Although i have heard some very mixed reviews about it. ive heard mostly good things.

At some point i plan on having a 300g.

I would love to get the Eheim pro 3 but its way out of my price range. And the 2260 just doesnt look very impressive, and the flowrate is low. But does it make up for it with how much bio media it holds? Not to mention, its around $300 (as cheap as i can find it)



So, at this point i have two choices:

Keep the xp3, add the aqua clear 50s.

or

Return the xp3, buy a FX5



Need more opinions, seems like everybodys differs greatly here.

 

[MurderedOut]

Here is a pic of the setup:

currently cycling with about 22 community fish. Just got fed. Thats why they are all at the bottom getting whats left.

tank and light were oak colored (trim was) and the stand was also oak colored. Picked it up cheap and painted it all. turned out extremely well, added some handles frome home depot for the cabinets, black 3M colorquartz T grade and some river rocks. Pretty good budget setup.

you can see the smart heater on the right (also serves as the inlet for the xp3). And the outlet/ hydor korilia #3 on the left. the bubbles arent really close to the inlet, but more up front, just looks like it. Sorry, cheapie camera.

 

[FSM]

I've got a fluval 404 on my 75, which I think should be about the same as an xp3. I don't think it is enough. I'm going to add an AC110.

 

[bigspizz]

AC 50's will not fit on a 75...An AC 110 would though.

 

[FSM]

AC 50's will not fit on a 75...An AC 110 would though.

Because the rim is too wide? I managed to get a penguin 200 on my 75, but I had to put some filter media in the waterfall so it didn't make a ton of noise.

 

[bigspizz]

Yes, the trim is too wide. Even an AC 70 will not fit properly.