XP3 or XP4 for my 100 gallon - Page 2 - Large Aquariums and Ponds

eklikewhoa · 02-15-2007, 07:43 AM

I'm with mudpiemama!

instead of spending that much money on one xp4 the pros of getting two xp3's are that much greater!

If you get it from drsfostersmith.com the xp3 is only $99.99ea

gibmaker · 02-15-2007, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAXON777

sorry for all the questions but is that the only circulation you have and where do you put the inlet

I place my intake a little left of center when you are looking at the tank so that the water movement will help debree circulate and go to the intake. I also have a powerhead running in my tank.

gibmaker · 02-15-2007, 07:52 AM

If you get a xp4 from bigalsonline.com it is about 180.00. cheaper than two xp3's

JAXON777 · 02-15-2007, 08:03 AM

I have found an xp4 for 159.99

gibmaker · 02-15-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freerider

The FBF does up to 300 gallon tanks, more thant the XP4 but its your choice. I like the zero maintenance and high bioload capabilities of the FBF's, canisters dont even come close for the $$$.

I cant tell how big that thing is by looking at the picture but I think that the xp4 is bigger and holds more bio filtration then that does. the xp4 has 5 media baskets. As for the zero maintenance, the filter is only as good as your powerhead, when a power head collects debree it slowS down a lot faster than aN XP4 I would think. Just my opinion, not picking a fight.

cookie · 02-15-2007, 08:30 AM

I believe in over filtration, it keeps the fish healthier, since you really cannot acheive a perfect environment, too many variables can effect the water quality on a day to day basis.

We have a big tank (125 gallon - 72" length), and we run 2 -XP3's, one on each side and a powerhead in the middle (with the pressurized CO2 fed into the powerhead as our reactor) we would end up with dead spots with no water circulation, the dead leaves & debri end up in those dead spots and cause a lot of problems when they start to breakdown if we did not use the 2- XP3's. And the nice thing with the XP3's, output flow can be directed at the back glass to prevent plants from being blown over! The tank looks great and we can actually have more fish because of the extra filtration if we choose too!

At one point, we had a 100 gallon (60" length) and a 120 gallon (60" length) that had the same problem of dead spots until we did either an HOB on the opposite side of the XP3, or 2- XP3's. I also have a 75 gallon, but have one XP3, and one HOB to help with water movement. Definitely prefer the XP3's over the HOB. The plants look better on the XP3 side, cause the HOB blows on the other side's plants causing them to grow tilted. I will be getting a new XP3 for the 75 gallon when I can afford to replace the HOB.

Jackie

JAXON777 · 02-15-2007, 10:30 AM

So if I get the xp4 and still use the powerhead (maybe to diffuse the co2?) Do you think I could get away with that. Also off topic is 295gph powerhead to much to try feeding the co2 through?(misting)

eklikewhoa · 02-15-2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAXON777

So if I get the xp4 and still use the powerhead (maybe to diffuse the co2?) Do you think I could get away with that. Also off topic is 295gph powerhead to much to try feeding the co2 through?(misting)

It should be fine

with the xp3/xp4 debate the price is almost the same somewhat but think about this.....2x-xp3= 700gph/6media trays--$198.......1x-xp4=450gph/4 media trays---$150-180....

Two filters IMO will always be the better choice, adds filter media options, simplifies filter cleanings, more circulation, etc....

cookie · 02-15-2007, 11:04 AM

There's more media baskets with 2- XP3's (6 total) than with 1- XP4 (4 total) -which in turn, makes for more filtration on the 2 units versus the 1 on top of the additional water movement/flow around the tank. I would still do the 2 units versus the 1 unit even with the powerhead. I did the 100 gallon before, and it was similar to the 125- just too long to get the water to move around and circulate good. The other thought, buy just 1 XP3, now, and use it and the HOB you currently have (on the opposite side of the tank), and later when you can afford it, get a second XP3 to replace the HOB.

As to the powerhead, we are using a powersweep 226 on the 125 gallon tank, not sure what the gph is on it (couldn't find the rating, I'm at work, and the box is at the house), but it's the second biggest of the power sweeps and we have the sponge attachment on it so it won't suck anything up. We're using the powersweep 214 on the 75 gallon tank. you can see them here: Power Sweep We have been really pleased with this set up for the CO2-misting effect. We have more growth & pearling on the plants than we ever did with any other method. We did have to play with positioning the powerhead in the optimum place to get the best misting effect. Both are centered on the back wall, but the 125 has it a bit higher, but banking off the front glass, and the 75 has it midway down, banking off the driftwood/front glass.

Hope that helps...
Jackie

vic46 · 02-15-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAXON777

I didn't think of it that way something else to think about thanks for the input mudpie

Mud Pie Mama is spot on with the planned redundancy. I have a 125USLG heavily planted and I run 2 xP3's for all the reasons stated. Soooooooooo I guess I would suggest that you do 2 xP3's. Print the Petsmart online price and most of their stores will match. I also use a Vortex XL on the root it up days. Cleans up real quick.
Cheers;

Edit upon more thought. I don't know the flow fates of the xP2 but you could perhaps do the job with 2 of them or one each of the xP2 and xP3. However, overfiltration is second only to Godliness! A "rule of thumb" for cannister filteation is 5x's the tank water volumn per hour. This is I feel a minimum.

Vic