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Hi. Sorry if this is a well covered topic, but I’m hoping to get some opinions on canister filters from some knowledgeable turtle keepers. I have one female red-eared slider in a 40 gallon tank with two power filters. I’m going to be renovating her tank with an ATBA and I’m looking for a canister filter to replace the two power filters. The tank will be full when the ATBA is complete. All feeding is done outside of her tank. I’ve read some reviews on these filters, but the majority of reviews are on fish related sites. How are they for turtles?

The most important aspects to me when choosing a canister filter are:
Water quality
Reliability
Ease of cleaning

Keeping this in mind, I was trying to decide between the Rena XP3 and the Eheim 2017. Both filters are within $10 of each other. Can anyone give me any comparison/insight/recommendation? Thanks in advance.

mico

I don't have any experience with the Eheim 2217, but that is from a very reputable brand. I have been using the XP3 for several years and it's very reliable though I would consider the Eheim a bit more higher end.

i have an eheim 2217 and am happy with it. It has a tough job trying to keep my tank clean in arizona. It has done a great job.

I was about to order the Eheim when I ran across a sale at Foster and Smith Aquatics on the XP3 for $109. That sealed the deal for me. I just ordered the XP3 and a Smart Heater. Here's the link to get the special price if anyone else is interested.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... &catid=113

mico wrote:I was about to order the Eheim when I ran across a sale at Foster and Smith Aquatics on the XP3 for $109. That sealed the deal for me. I just ordered the XP3 and a Smart Heater. Here's the link to get the special price if anyone else is interested.

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... &catid=113

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I spent all day reading reviews of several brands, and then trying to find the best price on the XP3. I should have known to look here first for help.

Did you end up with the xp3? How do you like it? I really like mine but am likely to upgrade to an fx5 with all the over time I'm getting. If any potential xp3 users are reading this ill be glad to give my xp3 to any turtle keepers in a tight spot needing better filtration for their turtles...anyway if that's you feel free to send me a pm and we can go from there!

I just got it yesterday! Yay! Aside from fighting with getting the hoses on a full 2 inches, set up was a breeze. So far so good! Thanks again.

Ah yes the hoses can be a pain seems too late now but dipping the ends in near boiling water to make them pliable really helps! Let us know how you like it after some use!

Well I went on vacation about 20 hours after getting it set up. The water was still milky when I left and I wasn't sure what kind of disaster I might come home to. 5 days later...I got home and the water was crystal clear and the xp3 is working awesome! No leaks, no cloudiness, just happy turtles in perfect water! Yay!