Would a rena xp2 be enough filtration for a 60g aquarium.

[plant boy]

I have a 60g aquarium with 5 juvinile discus and 5 cardinal tetras.Would a rena xp2 be enough filtration because i dont want to over do it with the flow but i need enough to get all the gunk in my tank out for sparkling clean water.The xp2 comes with bio zorb should i use it on my lightly planted tank.What would be some good media to put into the filter to make a cleaner tank overall.

[smaug]

Yes it will be fine,I have an xp-2 on my planted tank and it does fine,I have a huge number of fish in there as well.

[Ty]

I would say no, I have a xp3 on my 75 and I want more.

[Algenco]

Doubtful, I have an XP3 and a hob on a 55

[Lady Hobbs]

The XP2 is rated for "up to" 75 gallon. It's right on the borderline for your size tank but you'll be having large discus in yours. You'll need another filter for the other side of the tank and this filter won't do it by itself, I don't believe.

I have the Fluval 305 which is rated about like the XP2 and using it in conjunction with an AC110 for my silver dollars and parrots.

[Evil Slimy]

I would also recommend and xp3. The extra basket will help a lot. I have an xp2 and emp 280 on my 40g. The two baskets in the xp2 fill up quick, especially if you are setting it up to sustain a larger tank.

[digital3]

Yeah, I would up that, especially if you have plants as you will end up dealing with debris from the plants. If possible two filters would be ideal. I have an XP3 and an XP2 for my 55.

[smaug]

From my experience with a tank very similar to this size and as overstocked as it is and it is planted,I hate to see someone steered toward buying a much bigger filter then he needs.I have never felt the need for more filtration and over filtering is never as necessary as`is often pushed.I just had to reiterate that .Get the 1 xp-2 for now and you can always get another 1 later if the need arises,the difference between an xp-3 and 2 are minimal in filtering capacity and exceptional in price.The fact that I say get another 1 later if necceasary may seem even more expensive,not really,if it is decided by you later you need it ,it is money much better spent because you will doubling your capacity and it spreads the financial blow over time.

[Evil Slimy]

the difference between an xp-3 and 2 are minimal in filtering capacity and exceptional in price
That's definitely true. Prices are a bit out of control... But with juvenile discus I personally would rather overfilter than not. If money really is an issue, then xp2 might be adequate, but I wouldn't hesitate to get a secondary cheaper filter (HOB maybe?).
And I mention that not because they are discus, as much as for the fact that juveniles should be fed several times a day (ideally 6?). That's a considerable bioload beyond what the fish contribute.

[toddnbecka]

Filter size/capacity is relative to many variables. How often and what % of water is changed? How heavily is the tank planted? Are the plants fast or slow-growing? How heavily is the tank stocked? What sort of environment do the fish require (or prefer) in terms of water flow?
Just about any decent size filter will handle the bioload, but circulating the water sufficiently to maintain O2 levels is another matter.

[reef12]

I also agree with Smaug.:thumb:

[smaug]

Filter size/capacity is relative to many variables. How often and what % of water is changed? How heavily is the tank planted? Are the plants fast or slow-growing? How heavily is the tank stocked? What sort of environment do the fish require (or prefer) in terms of water flow?
Just about any decent size filter will handle the bio load, but circulating the water sufficiently to maintain O2 levels is another matter.
Those are some well made points that are not put into play nearly enough.We do not need to get filters that are many times overrated for our particular size tanks.Many fish keepers fall into the higher flow rate trap.If more water flow is truly needed that is best accomplished with the use of power heads.But in the case of this poster higher flow is not warranted or desired.Discus with there flattened shape are not equipped to do well in a tank with alot of current ,that is one big reason that many discus keepers forgo the use of substrate in the interest of keeping a cleaner tank to accommodate the messy eating habits and large amounts of food that are necessary.

[MCHRKiller]

I have a bit of a diffrent stance on discus keeping, I kept and bred these fish for over 7 years until a poweroutage put a stop to my fish keeping hobby 2years ago. I dont keep them currently but I did keep the juvies and non-paired adults on substrate...and they had some pretty fair turnover.

IMHO...the XP3 is just overall a much more efficient filter than the XP2. With the XP3 you get 33% more media abilities and only 50gph more...which means that in all there is a slower path threw the 3 baskets than threw the 2...which in turn means a greater contact time inside the filter chamber with alot more versitile media options. The cost diffrence is somewhere around 20bucks diffrence. Its definatly worth that instead of having to upgrade or buy something else later. Adding powerheads in a tank IMO is feutile when you can get more water movement via-filtration means for around the same price and hell shove some polyfill in there it will atleast be doing something besides stirring water.

Discus are a fish where you want a highly efficient filtration system withoug significant turbulance. The XP2 is a good filter, but it just lacks the capacity needed for keeping larger fish in mid sized tanks. Honestly I would probably pair an XP3 with some small internal sponge filters. Expecially if your growing out juvies as the water cant be to clean and they cant be fed to often.