Canisters: Rena xp vs Penn-Plaxx Cascade vs ?

[12 Volt Man]

I had both a rena XP3 and an eheim classic 2215 if you are looking for comparisons.

the rena was much better for the following reasons:

1. self priming
2. more powerful
3. has two output options right out of the box (powerjet or spray bar)
4. more media capacity


yet it was the same price


both were very quiet though. I sold the 2215 promptly and got another XP3.

now, I realize that the 2215 is the classic (some would say outdated) design that was not self priming etc, but it might help you with your choice if you are considering this line.

if you are looking at other more modern eheims, thats a different story.

 

[pwmin]

XP3 if you're on a budget. I still have a PetSmart price-match on them for $107. I've moved on to larger canisters like FX5 and 2260/2262, but I still have a couple XP3's running. They're not great filters, but I haven't really had many problems besides a couple impeller assemblies going bad. I just use the sponges and fill the rest of the baskets w/ ceramic media and sometimes filter floss for fine mechanical filtration after the biomedia. I don't have any experience w/ any other canisters.

 

[Dahammer]

XP3 if you're on a budget. I still have a PetSmart price-match on them for $107. I've moved on to larger canisters like FX5 and 2260/2262, but I still have a couple XP3's running. They're not great filters, but I haven't really had many problems besides a couple impeller assemblies going bad. I just use the sponges and fill the rest of the baskets w/ ceramic media and sometimes filter floss for fine mechanical filtration after the biomedia. I don't have any experience w/ any other canisters.

Dang! $107? Care to clue us in on that deal. If I can get one for that, I'll go to Petsmart this afternoon. They were $190 on the shelf, last time I looked.

 

[vr6fan]

and the renas are not technically self priming..you have to fill the intake tube first using a funnel

 

[Moloch]

Any way I can get in on that pricematch?

I'm pretty well sold on the xp3, now its just a matter of getting it into the budget. For now I might still order an impeller for the emperor 400 to get the tank going, and then I'll have that for some backup filtration muscle if the xp3 doesn't do it all to my liking

 

[pwmin]

Dang! $107? Care to clue us in on that deal. If I can get one for that, I'll go to Petsmart this afternoon. They were $190 on the shelf, last time I looked.

Any way I can get in on that pricematch?

I'm pretty well sold on the xp3, now its just a matter of getting it into the budget. For now I might still order an impeller for the emperor 400 to get the tank going, and then I'll have that for some backup filtration muscle if the xp3 doesn't do it all to my liking

It's an old print-off I have from the website. I may be able to fax it to you

 

[pwmin]

and the renas are not technically self priming..you have to fill the intake tube first using a funnel

true. what I usually do is fill the filter with water and i usually don't have to worry about priming it even if I take all the water out of the tubing to clean it

 

[bleublaze55]

I have the Rena XP4, while it has strong flow and powers through the tall canister and huge UV sterilizer, I think that there is a lot of bypass once the filter has reached its max potential. Once my filter is at its max capcity (usually 3ish weeks) it no longer gets particles because the basket closest to the top creates a slight gap (once full) that lets in the already dirty water (bypass). That is in my 75gal tall. I would go sump, usually cheaper to construct and usually much more efficient if you set it up right.

 

[Sab_Fan]

I'll just note that I run Eheim classics on my tanks and like them very much, and I find them very easy to clean and maintain . . . they are very simple designs . . .

 

[12 Volt Man]

and the renas are not technically self priming..you have to fill the intake tube first using a funnel

true, but you don't need to do that for regular matainance. only if you are taking apart the tubing to clean it.

the last time I had to prime my rena's was 2 years ago when I put them on my 150g initially.

for regular media cleaning, just fill up the canister chamber, clamp the hoses back down (that are still full of water) and plug it in.

its so easy.