XP3 - Not to Impressed.

[Jgray152]

Here is a question for you: which filters are you comparing the Rena against that makes you claim it has a 'very small cross sectional surface area' and 'low flow"?

which ones?

LOL, you don't remember the Fluval 304 with more cross section surface area I showed before? The Fluval 404/405/305 have more cross section surface area as well. There are a lot of filters with larger cross section surface area with similar flow rates, look at the Eheim Classic Canisters as well.

Jgray: I remember that you were being proven wrong so badly that you were becoming hostile to other members and begging the mods to close the thread...

do you remember that Jgray? LOL

There was not one time in that thread where I was proven wrong. Go to that thread, and quote an area where I was proven wrong. I bet you can't. YOU on the otherhand DID get proven wrong. Many Times.

in the real world, the XP3's go a long time without clogging and they actually have higher flow rates then say comparable eheims..

They have crappy flow rates. The XP4 has a flow rate of around 180 GPH when full of media. That is a good flow rate? BS! Don't beleive me? Look on the box.

you keep claiming they clog so quickly

Stop right there. I never said they clog up SO quickly. I said the "can" clog up "quicker" then other filters with larger cross section surface area that have comparible flow rates. They can go for months without clogging just like other filters. This will depend on the mechanical load. Which, if high enough, could make these filters have a reduction in flow sooner than others with more area.

and have crappy flow compared to other canisters

Yes they do.

and if you had any real experience with them you would know that is pure BS.

but you don't.

I bought a brand new Rena Xp4 last year. I got rid of it for FREE when I sold me 180 Gallon aquarium which I already gave the guy a Fx5. That Xp4 was such a POS it wasn't worth selling.

Assumptions are killing you.

did the rena rep really tell you about a supossed bypass feature or did you make that up to make the renas look bad?

I would not make up something like that. I never expected the guy to tell me this.

you don't advertise a filter as being 'bypass free' with a built in bypass feature on it. it doesn't make sense..

There is a lot of advertising that doesn't make sence. Just to give you a FYI. I am going to guess, that since the guy said that when the filter "clogs" up, the filter will bypass through this built in feature. This tell me there is some sort of device that is controled by differential in pressures within the canister which only activates under those conditions.

So under normal conditions, the filter will not bypass.

do you work for Fluval or something? LOL

Work for Fluval? You are another one that doesn't even know the company's name!! haha.

I wish I worked for Hagen, I would have designed the Fx5 better.

 

[12 Volt Man]

They have crappy flow rates. The XP4 has a flow rate of around 180 GPH when full of media. That is a good flow rate? BS! Don't beleive me? Look on the box.

Jgray, you do realize that the publshed flow rates for pretty much all the canisters with the exception of the XP series are rated WITHOUT media right?

you take the XP rate with media, compare it to another canister's rate without media, and then you complain the flow rate sucks on the rena LOL

are you trying to fool people or what?

 

[flstffxe]

Having both. Two Rena XP3s and one FX5, they both have their place in aquaria.

The FX5 has been rock solid and has a nice flow for bigger tanks. Plus the quality of materials feels better then the Renas to me. I would like to see a second generation design of the FX5 with out the need for the smart pump technology to release trapped gasses and maybe a redesign of the trays to allow for more media. Some sort of a cross between Jgray152s modded FX5 a Ehiem and the current FX5. How to go about that or what it would look like I couldn't tell you. None the less I like the FX5 for what it is and for $200-$220 it is hard to beat.

The Renas(2 XP3s), Both are set up the same as far as media, filter pad and tubing. One has a nice strong flow rate, the other has maybe 60-70% the flow and has been like this since new. The transparent injection molded plastic housings feels like a disaster waiting to happen when securing the top on, even though I have never had an issue I am still cautious.

For smaller tanks I still like the Rena XPs compared to other options out there. Plain and simple a FX5 or comparable Ehiem on a small tank could quickly turn it into a vortex. Again for $110-$130 the Rena XP3 are a good filter for the price.

 

[Deepsouth]

Having both. Two Rena XP3s and one FX5, they both have their place in aquaria.

The FX5 has been rock solid and has a nice flow for bigger tanks. Plus the quality of materials feels better then the Renas to me. I would like to see a second generation design of the FX5 with out the need for the smart pump technology to release trapped gasses and maybe a redesign of the trays to allow for more media. Some sort of a cross between Jgray152s modded FX5 a Ehiem and the current FX5. How to go about that or what it would look like I couldn't tell you. None the less I like the FX5 for what it is and for $200-$220 it is hard to beat.

The Renas(2 XP3s), Both are set up the same as far as media, filter pad and tubing. One has a nice strong flow rate, the other has maybe 60-70% the flow and has been like this since new. The transparent injection molded plastic housings feels like a disaster waiting to happen when securing the top on, even though I have never had an issue I am still cautious.

For smaller tanks I still like the Rena XPs compared to other options out there. Plain and simple a FX5 or comparable Ehiem on a small tank could quickly turn it into a vortex. Again for $110-$130 the Rena XP3 are a good filter for the price.

I agree with your observation 100%

 

[Bderick67]

Thermal protection is a last resort if all else fails. You don't wan't to rely on this protection though. The motor does have to heat up quite a bit before the circuit opens. This increase can still ruin the motor over time.

Judging by this response, it is obvious you do not understand at all the how or why of a thermally protected motor. Anyone who doubts this can do a small amount of research and understand. This is not a design to shut the motor of when the filter becomes clogged. In actuality the motor does not heat up, the increased amperage from the motor working to hard heats the conductors and the overloads wired to the motor. The overloads shut the motor off preventing damage and would repeatedly continue to do so untill the overloads burned up the motor will never be damaged. I would question that the overloads would even ever come into play with a magnetic motor.

Supposidly, the bypass was built into the cover some where from what I remember. Like I said before though, I couldn't tell you how it works.

You statement regarding the bypass is heresay at best. Have you ever even seen a XP series filter let alone operated one?

 

[sutherland]

This thread played a role in purchasing my XP3. In replacing my noisy and service demanding Penguins, I was initially torn between running two Eheim 2213s or purchasing either one Fluval 305 or a Rena XP3.

Even the worst of all criticism failed to change my decision in going with the XP3. At around $110.00 (not including shipping), I believe it offers fantastic media capacity and flow rate.

I'm not sure why we are comparing this to the FX5....it's not even in the same class or price point. Fail.

 

[big dovii]

I would never ever buy another Rena product again. They're supposed to be a great mechanical filter, but I think not. The filter doesn't have a great flow, and I would choose any other filter over it. An Eheim, Cascade, Fluval, and even a Marineland filter work 10x better.

 

[cichlid fiend]

rena's are the best orjust my favorite and i own a fx5 and 2 xp2s

 

[metalslug]

I have ran an xp3 on my 55, loved it. Then on my 120 tall with 2 power filters, no problem. I just bought another xp3 for the 120 took out the power filters. I love rena, they so far work great no problems. One thing I did notice they kinda skipped a little in the materials dept this year than the last. The suction cups provided last year they came with 2 diff types, one larger than the other, now is the same type, the small. Also the tubing seems to be a bit shorter, and the plastics seem to be diff somehow. But so far, crystal clear water, and no problems.

 

[LouieV]

SO TRUE!!! I have the FX5 now running its good has a strong flow in my 150 with my 2 Rena XP4.. I say this if you like alot of media the Rena is great at holding a large amount of it...If you like a whirlpool get the FX5..lol..It all about preference...