Opinons about Rena XP3 cannister filter

[TheFishJunky]

I bought a used one about 2 years ago or so and its still running without any replacements (impellar etc.), which cannot be said about anything fluval that I own. Its output is a little less than it should be. I use mine on my 120 in conjunction with the overflow and a aquaclear hob.

I still got a 404 thats been running strong and contiuous for over 10 years now. Only problem I have is when I clean it ,its a major pain in the arse to get it primed and pumping again.If they still made them I would get another in a heart beat.I haven't even had to change an impeller.Oh- and I bought it with my 1st "monster" tank back then LOL a 75 gallon.(used)

 

[prskiller]

I have 3 x XP3. Two on a 125g and 1 on a 75. Gotta love them Haven't failed me.............

 

[Titania]

Very simple ~ I didn't read anyone elses opinion or post in this thread......They are good for bio only-period.If you try to use it as a filter with media and pads/foam etc the flow will be reduced to nothing within 2 weeks and you will hate it. I personally wanted to throw mine in the street ~ I hated it,but then figured out that after I cleaned it it would run great for 2 weeks then clog. So I first started by removing the polishing pads..helped...got about 3 weeks out of it.Then had enough and thanks to someone on here they said its only good for bio,I listened and its good.Don't overpack it though.It has not slowed down since I changed it over to an only bio filter. Before all that,when I used it as a filter.lets just say I can pee more than that "filter" can flow.
Oh and it was only on a 75 gallon with 1 pike in the tank.
Okay now I just read everyones posts and I'm the only hater.......interesting?Maybe others haven't had other cannisters like Fluval or Ehiem.Not sure.maybe I just got a lemon filter.That would be my luck I am sure.And since you bought it already.hope yours works.

This has been my experience, as well. They clog...fast. Every 2 weeks, I have to break both of mine down and clean out the pads. My Eheims, on the other hand, require absolutely minimal maintenance. If they're lucky, they get their pads changed twice a year. I understand that the Renas are so much cheaper, but they're not even in the same ballpark as Eheim in terms of reliability.

I won't speak about Fluval...my most hated of all filters.

I also have a Marineland C-220 (I think) canister. So far, it's been a great filter. I've had it about 2 years now. I don't have to do much to that one, either. It runs reliably. The priming mechanism works really well. We'll see if it'll last 15+ years like some of my Eheims, but so far, so good.

 

[Ali1]

XP3 is decent filter. Now that prices went up on them, they aren't worth it. I got all of them. Worked with Magnum 350s and fluvals as well. Fluvals are garbage. Just like previous have stated, their design for media is a hassle, priming couldn't be made any harder, and flow isn't as described. Magnum 350s, i won't go there. If anything its used to polish water, thats it. Eheim i never worked with. I've had the XP1, XP2 and the XP3. At one point, I've had three XP3s on my 90G because i had such a heavy load. One clogs right after the other. After finishing cleaning one canister, the next day I find another XP3 with reduced flow. And the man ain't lying about his pee getting more flow than the XP3. When the canister is clogged, you WILL know! The spraybar will be dripping instead of flowing. At this point, Im looking into the algae turf scrubber and hoping I can sell these POS soon.

 

[grease monkey]

yeah.. same here.. got rena, fluval and eheim.. i found that fluval and eheim is the best.. compared to rena.. but having read that using the rena as bio filter.. i tried it last night and it work.. i used my fluval for water polisher and eheim as a filter.. rena is cheap, but in my opinion id rather use fluval or ehiem..