Rena XP Series Filter: Make Your Fishkeeping Hobby Easier

Filtration in your aquarium is one of the most important factors in keeping your fish happy and healthy. This helps with the water quality in your fish tank. There are many filters out there ranging from hang on the back to canister filters. We started out with hang on the back filters, which are a bit cheaper. From experience, I would suggest you start with a canister filter, specifically a Rena XP series filter. We own an XP3 filter and regret originally having a hang on the back filter.

All of the XP filters are amazing, but for specifics, I am going to use the XP3 as an example. I will touch on the various features of this product while comparing it to the normal hang on the back filters.

Convenient / Looks - The filter stays under aquarium stand out of the way with no awkward filters to get in the way of the beauty of the fish and the tank. It also helps when fitting the lid of the aquarium to the filter. There is much less to trim off compared to using a hang on the back filter. With the amount of filtration, our tank is crystal clear with perfect water parameters.

High Flow Rate - With the higher flow rate, you are filtering your water so much faster than with a hang on the back filter. For example, the XP3 filters 350 gallons of water per hour compared to some hang on the back filters that may only filter 100 gallons per hour.

Three Media Trays - With three media trays, it holds more media to store the beneficial bacteria needed to keep your water quality at the levels the fish need to thrive. There are 2 compartments for media in each tray. The more media you have in your filter, the less "down time" there is for cleaning. This will cover the 3 stages of filtration including the mechanical, chemical and biological filtration needed to keep your water quality at its best.

Virtually Silent - Since the canister sits under your aquarium in a cabinet or stand, there is only the hose/intake and the output which is all underwater. You don't hear the water running out of the filter like you do with a hang on the back filter.

Easy Cleaning - The quick disconnect allows you to just simply disconnect the hose and not have to restart the siphon. This way, you can pour the canister out and clean what you need to. Then all you have to do is reconnect and you don't have to worry about priming the system again as you would with a hang on the back filter.

Easy assembly - All you have to do to assemble the XP3 is attach some hoses, rinse your media, fill the trays with the clean media, and run your hoses to your aquarium. It's really that simple of a set up. You do have to prime the system the first time you use it, however.

Save Money - In the long run, you are saving money on filtration for your aquarium. There is less filter media to replace since you rinse it over and over. You don't have to rebuild or buy new filters as you would with the hang on the back filters. The initial cost may be a little higher, but as I said, in the end, you're going to be saving money.

All in all, the XP3 filter, as well as the whole XP series is a better choice, especially if you have a larger aquarium. The XP3 is rated for up 175 gallons and you can purchase this filter for around $100 online or by price matching at specific stores. If you're starting out new to the fishkeeping hobby or even if you're just setting up a new aquarium, make sure to consider the XP series canister filters. It's much easier to take care of this at the beginning than switching in the middle of your cycling process.

The XP3 filter is among the highest rated canister filters on the market right now. This filter can be used in either a freshwater OR saltwater marine aquarium. With all the benefits and features listed, it easily can be considered much better than a hang on the back filter. I will always own this filter, as well as others in the XP series from Rena. We are in the process of switching our entire hang on the back filters in our tanks to XP canister filters right now.