Rena XP3 + Rena SmartHeater

**Cassandra** · 01-24-2011, 09:29 PM

Ok All. After starting a thread where I was trying to decide between getting an Eheim Pro 3E or a Hagen Fluval FX5, I am leaning more towards the Rena XP3 and getting the Smart heater that attaches to the intake on the filter. I really like the idea of having less things sticking down into the tank, needing to be hidden. I also like the smaller price tag of the Rena. I hear many of you like this filter, so Im pretty confident with that aspect, but has anyone gotten the heater along with it? And if so, are you happy with the combination? I guess the only thing I would be concerned with is that if the heater is connected to the filter intake, should I worry that there might be some heat loss as the water goes through the filter? Or is this a better setup than the standard heaters since this is going through the filter, causing the heated water to be dispersed more evenly through the tank? Any thoughts?

Im flip floppin like a fish outta water. Pun intended.

**Cliff** · 01-24-2011, 09:34 PM

I have a XP2 with a rena 300 watt heater on my 90 gallon tank and I LOVE them both. The XP2 is a back-up filter to the FX5 on the same tank

I really like the rena heater as it maintains a stable temp and the setting is pretty accurate. Plus it's cool to the touch so it's safer for the fish. IMO, having the intake water to the filter flowing through the heater is about the best set-up for heatinig your tank.

And of course, the XP filter is a great filter.

**Cassandra** · 01-28-2011, 09:06 PM

awesome

gonna go pick up my filter tonight and get it all hooked up

gotta order the heater though...thanks for the info!

**SamandAnne** · 03-16-2011, 09:06 PM

How did this work for you? I have a Marineland Stealth Pro heater that is recalled, so I am returning it and deciding what new heater to get. I have a Rena Filstar XP1 on a 30 gallon tank. I like the idea of having the heater inline (and so having one less piece of visible equipment to try to hide in the tank). How durable is it? Anything to be concerned about when doing water changes or maintaining the filter?

Thanks!

**fishluvr** · 03-16-2011, 09:38 PM

i have a rena xp2 and fluval fx5 on my 55 gallon tank, I love the FX5, fortunatly i found one used for 75 bucks so i didn't have to front the whole price of it, just for the media.

My rena is giving me problems i'm not sure if its a faulty impeller or what, but my two main problems with it is, one all the darn fittings, to connect, and two the fact that you can't tell if its pulling/expelling water or not. With the flow of the FX5 i can see the water being expelled from both the current it creates and the fact that the force actually agitates the hoses themselves. With the rena i can't tell. i actually mean to break it down and check to see if the impeller is broken or stuck or something.

My FX5 is keeping the tank crystal clear! and that's without polishing pads in it. (which do tend to clog up fast)

Oh the other downside of the fx5 i have found is that its a BIG BEAST!, and i havent been able to fully pump out the water using the included extra valve gauge to pump it out, so lifting it while its half full from underneath a tank is a PITA!. i'm actually planning to use it on a 75 gallon tank with a stand that i'm gonna build that will include a pull out/sliding shelf for it.

**spkehl** · 03-17-2011, 01:20 AM

I have 2 XP4's, one on my 100 gallon and one on my 125. Both also have 300 watt SmartHeaters. I have a FX5 on my 210 with 2 300 watt Eheim Jager heaters in the tank.

I love maintenance on the XP4. It is a lot easier than the FX5. The SmartHeaters do a better job of regulating the temperature in my tanks. The FX5 wins hands down doing a better job filtering the tank.

**traxiii** · 03-17-2011, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by Cassandra

awesome

gonna go pick up my filter tonight and get it all hooked up

gotta order the heater though...thanks for the info!

I'd like to know what you think about it. I have 2 XP3 with 150w smartheaters on each and love them. They take up less space, replacing 2 things with 1 making it less cluttered as well as blending in with the black back of my tank. From the front view you can hardly see them!

**dawrtw** · 03-17-2011, 07:56 PM

I have the fluval fx5 and the Rena 3 with the heaters on my 220 discus tank. I painted my background black so you don't see the heaters. The only thing I don't like about the Rena is their blue tubes for the return. If they were blacky you would not see anything.

I have no problems with any of the others at all.

**korith** · 03-18-2011, 02:52 PM

I've got 2 rena heaters, one with a rena xp3 and the other with a xp1. They work great, no issues with them. They were on clearance fairly cheap at petsmart around 2 months ago, might be worth checking it out see if your local store still has them.