Canisters: Rena xp vs Penn-Plaxx Cascade vs ?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
M

Moloch

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 8, 2010
884
0
0
Raleigh, NC
I posted a 'hello' thread in the Polypterus section describing my current situation...in a nutshell, I'm pretty new to the hobby, have a 20gallon running fine with a HOB (top-fin starter kit) and am in the process of setting up a 70 gallon tank for my Senegal Bichir & his future family.

I'm almost certain I want a canister filter to run this tank, something about them is just extremely appealing to me. So I've been trying to figure out which canister to go with.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Penn-Plaxx Cascade series EXCEPT for the lack of a quick-disconnect on the in/out hoses. And I've heard nothing but good things about the Rena XP series as well.

I have heard some negatives on the Fluvals in the same pricerange (150ish) and I haven't heard much at all about Eheims except that they're reliable.

Obviously I'd like a minimum of required water changes, a reliable filter, and a relatively easy setup/maintenance. I don't particularly want to spend more than 150$, 200$ tops if its a difference of life or death.

I'm planning on having a sand substrate, driftwood & rocks for decoration (although it may be sparse artificial decorations until I can afford a nice piece of driftwood) I'm looking at having 2 bichirs, maybe snails & shrimp and maybe 5-7 other fish of an unknown type.

What do you guys recommend?
 
I owned a cascade for a year before I sold it to someone else. It had a good amount of bypass and after a year it didn't run as well despite cleaning. I got a eheim 2217 and I'm much happier with it. It's a pain to clean but is silent and keeps my tank very clean. Marineland's C series are also really good filters.
 
Ok I'll look into those two.

I should also add that I have a non-functioning Marineland Emperor 400b (its many years old). I got the 70gal tank with this filter and a powerhead (untested) from my sister in law for free, but its all been sitting for the past 3 or more years. The tank has been well taken care of (kept in a closet in a well-conditioned house) but everything else was left in the attic to collect dust. So I cleaned up the filter and filled the tank to see if it would run...It does come on, it does suck water, it does spit out water. It doesn't suck ENOUGH water to equal the water its spitting out. So after about a minute it starts sputtering as its water level drops too low. If there's a simple fix to this then maybe I can just run this emperor for now and save up for whatever canister I decide to get?
 
hmm thats strange ive heard nothing but BAD things about cascades..cheaply made and lots of bypass from what I have heard. I would go with Rena xp3 or pretty much any eheim a lot of MFKers (including myself with 4 renas) have them and swear by them both
 
vr6fan;4455534; said:
hmm thats strange ive heard nothing but BAD things about cascades..cheaply made and lots of bypass from what I have heard. I would go with Rena xp3 or pretty much any eheim a lot of MFKers (including myself with 4 renas) have them and swear by them both
Click to expand...

Well, 'most of what I've heard' includes a review/feature on fishlore and a few of the forumites over there :\

I think its between an eheim 22## or a rena xp# at this point.

pros/cons on these?


edit: leaning towards a Rena xp3...should do the trick for about 65 gallons of water with a couple bichirs and various other fish yeah? Nothing as dirty as an oscar or anything like that...
 
if i were you i would get an xp3. I think you can find them for around $130 brand new on the net. Ive owned an xp3 and currently have 2 xp4's. they all work good for me. and a lot cheaper than eheim
 
creepyoldguy;4455648; said:
if i were you i would get an xp3. I think you can find them for around $130 brand new on the net. Ive owned an xp3 and currently have 2 xp4's. they all work good for me. and a lot cheaper than eheim
Click to expand...

thats what I'm leaning towards after reading a few customer reviews, looking at the design and seeing the specs.

Hopefully it'll be in the budget this month or I can convince myself/my wife to just put it on the credit card:nilly:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom