Opinions on Best Canister Filer Wanted

[Larry Bohen]

I'm setting up a freshwater Oceanic 46 gallon bowfront and plan to use a
canister filter. I've used hang-on power filters in the past.

I'd appreciate information on the best canister filter system. I've got my
eye on a Rena XP 2 that is highly recommended by my local fish store.

--
Larry Bohen
www.audiobooksonline.com

[NetMax]

"Larry Bohen" > wrote in message
...
> I'm setting up a freshwater Oceanic 46 gallon bowfront and plan to use
a
> canister filter. I've used hang-on power filters in the past.
>
> I'd appreciate information on the best canister filter system. I've got
my
> eye on a Rena XP 2 that is highly recommended by my local fish store.
>
> --
> Larry Bohen
> www.audiobooksonline.com

Manufacturers are always competing in various categories, so who has the
'best' filter sometimes depends in what year you are asking, and for what
category. Any responses would be very empirical, based on the person's
application, their range of experience and any preferences they had.
AFAIK, there isn't any bad manufacturers of canister filters out there.
Check to see what filter media is included, and its cost and replacement
interval, as this can be a large recurring expense. Check to see if it
includes shut-off valves (another must-have IMO). Spray bar is a nice
option (though they can get clogged easily, especially with snails).
Make sure the LFS has plenty of the model you are buying in stock (any
problems and they could quickly swap it with another unit), and avoid the
last one, (in a box which looks like it's been opened before ;~). Have
the LFS show you how all the bits & pieces go together. Repeat with
another model to see some of the differences. Which filter better
sometimes depends on which differences are most important to you.

NetMax

[jefferson]

I have the xp3 ...quiet, simple to run and certainly a no brainer over
the fluval 403 i have sitting in a closet. The only problem is that
the intake tube gets clogged with plant parts. the fish love the
current from the spray bar.
jeff

On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 04:11:23 -0500, "Larry Bohen"
> wrote:

>I'm setting up a freshwater Oceanic 46 gallon bowfront and plan to use a
>canister filter. I've used hang-on power filters in the past.
>
>I'd appreciate information on the best canister filter system. I've got my
>eye on a Rena XP 2 that is highly recommended by my local fish store.

[Harry Muscle]

"jefferson" > wrote in message news:bk921056hvdutudb1j
...
> I have the xp3 ...quiet, simple to run and certainly a no brainer over
> the fluval 403 i have sitting in a closet. The only problem is that
> the intake tube gets clogged with plant parts. the fish love the
> current from the spray bar.
> jeff
>

Hmm, would you mind sharing what you didn't like about the 403? I just got
one, it's still brand new in the box, so I still have the option of
returning it.

Harry




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[NetMax]

"Harry Muscle" > wrote in message
...
> "jefferson" > wrote in message news:bk921056hvdutudb1j
> ...
> > I have the xp3 ...quiet, simple to run and certainly a no brainer
over
> > the fluval 403 i have sitting in a closet. The only problem is that
> > the intake tube gets clogged with plant parts. the fish love the
> > current from the spray bar.
> > jeff
> >
>
> Hmm, would you mind sharing what you didn't like about the 403? I just
got
> one, it's still brand new in the box, so I still have the option of
> returning it.
>
> Harry

Are you sure that it's a 403? The XX3 series was discontinued a long
time ago. If you have a 304, then that's a completely different filter
(one of my favs).

NetMax

[Harry Muscle]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Harry Muscle" > wrote in message
> ...
> > "jefferson" > wrote in message news:bk921056hvdutudb1j
> > ...
> > > I have the xp3 ...quiet, simple to run and certainly a no brainer
> over
> > > the fluval 403 i have sitting in a closet. The only problem is that
> > > the intake tube gets clogged with plant parts. the fish love the
> > > current from the spray bar.
> > > jeff
> > >
> >
> > Hmm, would you mind sharing what you didn't like about the 403? I just
> got
> > one, it's still brand new in the box, so I still have the option of
> > returning it.
> >
> > Harry
>
> Are you sure that it's a 403? The XX3 series was discontinued a long
> time ago. If you have a 304, then that's a completely different filter
> (one of my favs).
>
> NetMax
>
>

Oops, you're right, I always get that confused. It's actually a 404. That
would make my question of what jefferson didn't like about his 403
completely useless. Thanks, for pointing that out.

Harry




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[jefferson]

Harry
re fluval 403

When it worked, it worked fine.

It was complicated to set up (the engeneering is ponderous) and get
running. many tubes and connections. The thought of an input line
falling off was scary...it would have drained 75 out of 100 gallons if
I wasn't home.

The various "valves" were hard to manipulate with arthritis.

When I cleaned it, I couldn't get it running again-it leaked all over
because of the pesky "O" ring. After several futile attempts to get
it going again, it stopped functioning. I worked with tech support
for weeks over the internet to figure out why it would run upside down
but not as intended.

To make a long, painful and expensive story short, I acquired the xp3
because I needed something that would work.

I hope this helps...I understand the 404 is a better poduct, but the
xp3 was my choice and I have no regrets. I offered the fluval to a
friend who was helping me with trying to get it going again. It sits
in my closet and he's not banging my door down to get it...
jefferson

On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 09:26:41 -0500, "Harry Muscle"
> wrote:

>"jefferson" > wrote in message news:bk921056hvdutudb1j
...
>> I have the xp3 ...quiet, simple to run and certainly a no brainer over
>> the fluval 403 i have sitting in a closet. The only problem is that
>> the intake tube gets clogged with plant parts. the fish love the
>> current from the spray bar.
>> jeff
>>
>
>Hmm, would you mind sharing what you didn't like about the 403? I just got
>one, it's still brand new in the box, so I still have the option of
>returning it.
>
>Harry
>
>
>
>
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>http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
>-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

[jefferson]

fluval 403 is still available on the market; mine is roughly 6 months
old.

On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 10:07:12 -0500, "NetMax"
> wrote:

>
>"Harry Muscle" > wrote in message
...
>> "jefferson" > wrote in message news:bk921056hvdutudb1j
>> ...
>> > I have the xp3 ...quiet, simple to run and certainly a no brainer
>over
>> > the fluval 403 i have sitting in a closet. The only problem is that
>> > the intake tube gets clogged with plant parts. the fish love the
>> > current from the spray bar.
>> > jeff
>> >
>>
>> Hmm, would you mind sharing what you didn't like about the 403? I just
>got
>> one, it's still brand new in the box, so I still have the option of
>> returning it.
>>
>> Harry
>
>Are you sure that it's a 403? The XX3 series was discontinued a long
>time ago. If you have a 304, then that's a completely different filter
>(one of my favs).
>
>NetMax
>

[NetMax]

hmm, what corner of the world do you live in? The xx3 series hasn't been
available here for years, and the xx4 series has already undergone a few
minor design revisions. I sell a variety of filters (Fluvals, Penguins,
AquaClears, Emperors, Maxis etc), and I haven't seen a new Fluval xx3
series in a store in about 2 years. If you bought one from a store in
North America in the last 6 months, then I think it had been gathering
dust somewhere for a while. sorry.

NetMax

"jefferson" > wrote in message
...
> fluval 403 is still available on the market; mine is roughly 6 months
> old.
>
<snip>
> >
> >Are you sure that it's a 403? The XX3 series was discontinued a long
> >time ago. If you have a 304, then that's a completely different
filter
> >(one of my favs).
> >
> >NetMax
> >
>