Reddit reviews API FILSTAR XP FILTER SIZE L Aquarium Canister Filter 1-Count Box
We found 4 Reddit comments about API FILSTAR XP FILTER SIZE L Aquarium Canister Filter 1-Count Box. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Contains one (1) API FILSTAR XP FILTER SIZE L Aquarium Canister Filter 1-Count BoxProvides very powerful filtration for crystal clear water and healthy environment.Designed with self-priming & quick disconnect features to allow safe and easy stop & start of the filtration when maintenance is needed, anti-airlock system to prevent unexpected filtration stops, and anti-noise feature to prevent vibration against cabinet/floor.Combines strong flow rates with large capacity for filtration media that removes compounds, colors and odors 3x more effectively than carbon alone.Allows the use of various filtration media available in the API range, and meets your specific freshwater and saltwater requirements.
I'd be happy to chime in!
What are the dimensions of the 60 gallon. I had one that was 48"x15"x20", but in my experience there are some different 60 gallon dimensions out there.
>The main fish I want is an Electric Blue Johanni, so I just need to know which 2 other species can coexist with this fish and in which order they need to be added.
Lots of other mbuna work with Pseudotropheus Cyaneorhabdos "Maingano" (that's the proper scientific and it's proper hobby nickname-Electric Blue Johanni adds too much confusion), it really depends what colors and shapes you want in the tank. The only thing you'll want to stay clear of is other blue and black striped fish, which rules out most Melanochromis, and Pseudotropheus Johannii. The order that you add the fish is dependent on which fish you get and how you're going to cycle the tank as well as your fish budget. I'm a huge proponent of having a robust fishless cycle and then adding all your juveniles at once--far less headaches that way.
>I am also not sure on which substrate I need to use. Sand or crushed coral?
Either of those would be fine. I've used Pool Filter Sand as a cheap and attractive substrate for years, but it will keep your silicate level very high in the tank which is going to mean you'll always have diatoms. Some phosphate/silicate absorbing resins can help with that but never eliminate it. Crushed coral definitely works, but because it's so soft and irregular it's hard to keep clean and will break down and need to be replenished periodically. I personally am a fan of the fine grain Ecco complete cichlid sand. It's calcium based, but more regularly shaped. Either way, mbuna are going to like a nice sandy substrate to dig in, sift, and landscape. In the end it becomes a price point as you can get enough PFS for 10 bucks for your tank, but ecco complete will cost 60-80.
>Do I need to put anything under the substrate like an egg crate? I am going to be putting a lot of rocks in the tank.
I've used egg crate in tanks that are tall that I'm concerned about dropping rocks while i'm moving things around and cleaning, but the truth is as long as you build your hardscape correctly (bottom rocks directly on the glass, sand then added, and then other rocks on top) it's really only there as something that will make you feel a little better without really doing anything. It also is kind of ugly when your fish expose it. And they will. If you're nervous by nature it doesn't hurt to add it, but I find it to be an unnecessary expenditure.
And with mbuna you want a TON of rocks (not literally, but in my 110 i had nearly 300 lbs of real rocks mixed in with 150 dollars worth of cichlid stones--which I highly recommend if you're looking at extra decor options). Your initial instinct will be to make caves, but I find that if you just stack the rocks and try to make things look natural your fish will find plenty of caves. You're also going to have to break down your tank occasionally, so I don't recommend siliconing rocks together or falling in love with a layout.
Let's take a quick look at your wish list, a quick caveat--Amazon will have low prices a lot of the time, but most of the online pet stores will be able to beat their prices pretty handily and also offer free shipping if you're spending more than 50 dollars. I use Kensfish a lot because they are so dang cheap, but shop around, you'll be amazed at the money you can save!:
>Aquarium Tank Aeration Green Plastic Casing Bubble Air Stone 12" >Offered by uxcell. $5.25 1 0
>Lee's Sleek Airline Tubing, 25-Foot, Black $6.35 1 0
>Tetra 77855 Whisper Air Pump, 100-Gallon $21.22 1 0
If you like air bubbles, there's no reason to not have them, but if you're going to run air into the tank, instead of just a bubble wall, really consider a sponge filter or two for extra filtration (as well as having a cycled filter always handy for an emergency fry, hospital, or quarantine tank). You'll definitely want to look into a gang valve which allows you to power several air implements at once, and a check valve which will keep your aquarium from siphoning out your air hose and onto your floor if there's a air pump failure or a power outage.
>API Freshwater Master Test Kit $24.99 1 0
>Oakton EcoTestr pH 2 Waterproof pH Tester, 0.0 to 14.0 pH Range $51.29 1 0
The Master Kit is all you'll need (though having GH/KH is useful while starting out the tank--it won't get much use after you have fish in the tank. The EcoTestr isn't a bad product, but it's 50 dollars and the API kit comes with a pretty easy to read pH test...not sure why you'd want/need another kit especially for something like pH.
>Seachem Prime 500ml $12.02 1 0
>25 Foot - Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System $39.99 1 0
Both must haves for me and great choices
>Fluval 406 External Filter Offered by AquaCave, Inc. $189.98 1 0
>Penn Plax Cascade 1200 GPH Canister Filter Offered by One Way Pet. $117.86 1 0
So you want a canister, I can understand but a anything less than a 90 gallon I tend to run HOB power filters. The 406 is a very nice product, but you can get a much better deal for a different kind of canister than you'll pay for that right now. I would steer you away from the Cascade. I don't have personal experience with them, but that's because they have sort of a bad reputation with the people I know that have tried them. I'll use amazon for this.
API Filstar XP-L this filter is 158.99 right now, and it will outperform the 406 in GPH and media volume handily. It's not as pretty as the fluval, and the host attachments aren't as well built, but it's a workhorse.
I won't link, but also look at the eheim 2215 for your tank. Eheims are the BMWs of canister filters. For 100 bucks you get a filter that will out perform anything i've mentioned and do so for years and do it more quietly than any other canister. The drawbacks are it can be hard to prime, it has no media trays, and they're a pain to clean.
For a bargain entry you can find an Aquatop or SUnSun with UV sterilization for under 100. These filters aren't the most well made, but will work for years (though not as quietly as some of the others I've mentioned). They're cheap, but reliable. If eheim are BMWs, Aquatop/SunSun are Hyundais
A couple of things I"ve noticed you don't have yet:
Hope that helped!
edit: some formatting
Grech (SUNSUN) GW-304B or the API XP-L are the best options in your budget.
For an even cheaper option, SUNSUN HW-302B. Smaller than the GW-304B and less flow, but still enough for a well stocked 55g.
I have one of the GW-304B models, and three HW-302B models. They're by far the best bang for your buck filters out there. Just depends on how much flow you want between the two. A friend of mine has an API XP-L (They used to be called Rena XP3 - I believe API's parent company purchased Rena).
Ok, no to the Fluval. Absolutely great brand BUT for a Turle you want to run triple capacity. So for a 55 gallon tank you should run a 165 gallon filter or bigger. Try this one. That's what I ran before going to my 150 gallon.
http://www.amazon.ca/API-Filstar-XP-L-Canister-Filter/dp/B000260FX4. :)
If my filter ever broke down, I would buy the same filter again lol