Canister suggestions.

[12 Volt Man]

Dedicating a mech and bio filter is the way to go
if you pull out the polishing pad on the XP3
it will maintain enough flow to work well with the AQ

Renas XP series: beautiful design, quiet, easy to maintain, affordable
can't say enough

true, I have never used the top polishing pad with either of my XP3's.

I like the powerjet nozzle too. great for surface agitation and tank currents.

 

[soulpatch]

Polishing pads are almost a waste IMHO. Last such a short period of time and once you yank them your tank is back to normal anyway. I will throw one in around the holidays when family comes over just to clean the tank that much more or when I am taking pics but otherwise I refuse to use em.

 

[theunytedone]

on my 90 im using an AC110 along with a Fluval 405.

works wonderfully and it keeps maintenance down.

 

[Moloch]

I've got the polishing pad in mine right after 3 of the floss bags that come with top-fin powerfilters (had them laying around)

I really need to open it back up again and clean everything...might think about taking that pad out. I've started to notice that whenever I cut the xp3 on after a water change it pushes a large cloud of white crap into my aquarium. I'm assuming its just from my mech being clogged and the canister being full of crap:\

 

[seel1990]

i would use 2 fluval 305

 

[dlobom]

@dlobom,

How is the sound coming from the eheim 2217? Queit enough for a bedroom?

Yes, actually I need absolute silence at night, so I turn of the air pumps at night, but the 2217 you don't even realize its running unless you see the jets from the outlet.

 

[jvin85]

That sounds great. I'm tempted to try a mix of both Eheim 2217 and rena xp3... but that would be overkill wouldn't it... then again it would allow me to overstock a little bit.

 

[THD]

If you're going to spend that much money (seems like the 2217 and XP3 go for about $150 each?) I would say just get two 2217.
Here is my thinking:

Silent + Silent = Silent, so (2) 2217 will be without a sound.
Eheim products last years with very little maintenance.
I run a 2217 and a 2213 on my 125g. I have never had issues and I always run a very clean tank.

Im sure the Rena XP3 is a fine filter, and it does claim about 100gph more flow but I really doubt it is as good a filter. Besides, if you are after water flow you would get an AC110. It out performs both these canisters as far as water flow is concerned. Mine were to noisy for my bedroom. I'm another one who really needs silence.

Matt

 

[jvin85]

If you're going to spend that much money (seems like the 2217 and XP3 go for about $150 each?) I would say just get two 2217.

I like your suggestion... and truthfully I am leaning towards the eheims... seems they're a lower cost to maintain over the long run.

At my LFS the 2217 goes for $199.99, and the Xp3 for $229.99, and this is before the 13% tax...

I'll be doing my shopping online to lower my costs... most likely buying used filters... although I did see some decent ebay and craigslist/kijiji options.