The Puffer Forum

I bought the rena filstar xp2 from my LFS because I have planned to buy an 80 US gallon reef. I am buying things step by step for the reef tank. I will probably have the reef tank in April. I know I have kept it secret for about two weeks but now I'm telling you In the meantime, could I use this filter for my 22 US gallon F8 tank to get used to using it or is it too powerful?

Hello? Does anyone know?

I run a xp-2 on my 50 gallon gsp tank and it has quite a bit of current for the tank. If you use the spraybar attachment and reduce the flow some it might be fine.

Canister filters are normally frowned upon for reef tanks. Rather, you should consider live rock and a good skimmer, preferably with a sump and refugium as well. You should also be aware that running a reef tank may require a pretty substantial investment in lighting, pumps/power heads, supplements and test kits. I'm not trying to turn you away from going with a reef tank, but I'd hate for you to go into this without understanding the costs.

Have you had a chance to visit the forums at reefcentral.com?

I know, I am a member of reef central and have had a 4 page conversation about this. I will be getting a skimmer (Aqua C remora pro) and 2 filters. I will also be getting some powerheads. I was planning on getting live rock and possibly some live sand. The tank that I want to use the rena filter with is only 22 US gallons, is that overpowered?

I don't have any experience w/ the rena filstar xp2 but I see that it is rated for 300g/hr and up to 72 gallon tanks. Pumps and filters are usually overrated to begin with and you can expect some reduction due to head loss, especially if you use a spray bar. As long as you are not planning on using the filter on a tank with live plants or with fish that prefer calmer water (e.g. FW angelfish), I think it will be OK.

So you are going to use two canister filters and an Aqua C on your reef tank?

Yes I will be having two canister filters and an Aqua C Remora Pro.

I have the XP3 on a 33 long tank, and man that sucker is powerful. But the fish love it.

I'd say the XP2 might work on a 22 gallon tank, depending on the fish and the tank dimentions. Fish that like current will be just fine, and if its a longer tank, that will help too.

I use the power jet instead of the spraybar, I'm sure the spraybar spreads out the water movement a little. I just like setting up the jet to spray down the entire length of the tank so the fish can swim into the current.

I have F8s in the tank.

Are the F8s going into the reef?

No, I am slowly buying equipment for the reef. SO far I only have the Rena filter and was wandering if I could use it on my 22 US gallon F8 tank in the meantime to leaarn how to use it.

Personally, I'd drop the canisters and invest in some live rock and a good skimmer. Canisters are great on FW & BW tanks but on SW tanks they can become nitrate factories and are more trouble than they are worth.

I can secod that Ybe. I use a my canister for short periods only on my SW if I need some water polishing for some special event.

I started out my SW GSP tank w an Eheim & AC 500. Eventually dropped both, due to high nitrAtes & got LR, a DSB & bought a skimmer. I still use the AC for carbon only though.

I suppose the AC is your source of mech filtration too PP? I like AC's quite a bit personally. I use them on all my FW & BW tanks.