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Here's some info on the Filstar XP Series Canister Filters
http://www.aquariumpharm.com/filters.html

Some additional links from Planet Rena:
http://www.planetrena.com/Rena-XP-Filstar-Filters.html
http://www.planetrena.com/Filstar-Rena-FAQ.html
http://www.planetrena.com/Rena-Filters.html

Thanks!!! this helps sooo much!

A good place to get the xp line is from bigalsonline.com - even with shipping costs added their pricing is excellent.

ok, cool

I saw this filter but had not heard anything about it. So I went with a Fluval instead. How much do they usually sell for??

Go to www.bigalsonline.com and check under filters to see what they're currently being sold for (About $99, I think, plus extra for media). Bigals is probably the best place to go for filters. The XP3 has become quite popular among turtle keepers.

I have an XP3 as well as the Fluval 4+ (as I think you said you did in another post). There is no comparison between the two of them. Fluval also makes canister filters, however, and these are popular as well.

Marisa - which one do you like better and why? Im guessing you prefer the fluval.

RES Tampa--you were joking? If not, I'll just say they'e two totally different types of filters. The Fluval 4+ is an internal filter, which takes up room in the tank (this is not the same as the Fluval 404, which is a canister filter like the XP3). The XP3 is much more powerful and efficient; I've never used the canister Fluval (404), but like I said, it is popular with some turtlekeepers. I'm using the 4+ in a 40-gallon tank; I'm using the XP3 in a 110-gallon tank.

That said, I'm looking for a filter to replace the XP3. Most likely it will be a pond filter, since it has to be on the floor next to a stock tank, and canister filters don't work well this way (as the XP3 keeps telling me with the noises it's making). Canister filters work on gravity and have to be a certain distance below the water level to work really well.

Marisa - No I was not joking, just wanted your opinion & sounds like I got it! I have not used the Fluval line at all, I use an xp3 so I was curious to hear about the other brands. Thanks for the info

And how do you like your XP3? I read somewhere that the XP3 came on the market as a Fluval wanna-be ( for the canister 404); it is relatively new. It seems have gone beyond that, however, since a lot of turtlekeepers rank it above Fluval in terms of ease of use, set-up options, and construction. Time will tell about it's durability. I've read enough complaints about Fluvals so that I don't think I'd buy another one, canister or otherwise, though. But Fluvals do have their supporters. .

I purchased an XP3 filter for my 110 gal tank three months ago and I really like it. It does a great job keeping the tank clean and clear and is really easy to disconnect and clean out.

lol, since i only have a 50 gallon right now, i use a fiter that hangs from the side

I bought and XP3 a little over a month ago for our 90 gallon tank. It's works absolutely great. Easy to clean and keeps the water clean and clear. I got mine at drfostersmith.com for around $99.

Of all the different media's available for these filter which would you all recommend as madatory for a RES? Are any of these "nice to have" that can be added later in life?

Essential media for a canister filter: mechanical media (sponges/pads) to remove particles/debris from the water and biomedia (ceramic rings, stars, lava rock, what have you) to allow beneficial bacteria to colonize). Speaking just for the XP3, chemical media like carbon is a nice addition to help absorb impurities/odor (if there is one), but not really necessary. And the microfiltration pads can cause the filter to get clogged up more quickly.