I have had two xp3's for about two years. I bought them when I was getting started with fish, but if I had to do it over I would have just built wet/dry filters. I haven't had any problems with the Rena's but for what they cost I could have built filters customized for my tanks needs.
I agree wet/dry is the way to go , I run all eheim canisters and they are great .wife will not let build the wet/dry . lol lol says I will flood the basement . friend of mine runs all rena and loves them
If you want a good canister go with an eheim. They don't die ever. Rena's are OK, but not super tough. Which ever canister you use, the eheim ehfisubstrat pro is about the best you can get for bio media, aside from cellpore.
So far very nice filters I like the multi-particle filtration system of the Rena Filstar xp4 canister filter. Working very well on my 240 gallon. I didn't notice this thread but started another one just a bit earlier about it.
I am getting rid of my wet/dry to much issues altogether. Sick of the damn thing lol.