Fluvel 305

[andyg81]

just seen this advert on aquarist classified

Description: Fluval 305, approx 18 months old in full working order. I have just gone over to a sump so no longer required. comes with pipe work and sponges. Just needs some media


ok totally dumb question how does this system work, would I need anything else apart from media ? ie chemicals etc ? could i transfer media from my current filter? help lol

 

[ZoddyZod]

sounds like all you need is the media......but be very certain this is the case before you buy! Ask him directly if anything is missing that would normally come with a new one - spares can be expensive depending on the part.

you can bung your old media straight inside one of the 3 containers.

 

[andyg81]

does it matter how i put my media in ?

i have bio balls, ceramics, 2 sponges and a carbon sponge i think thats near my pump

would I need to put my heater directly into my tank instead of within the filter ?

 

[ZoddyZod]

you could put that lot in any order in the 305.

there is no way to place a heater in there though - would have to be in the tank.

 

[andyg81]

right ok, might have to take the plunge, dont understand how externals work or what to do with them but anythings got to be better than what ive got currently .

 

[ZoddyZod]

they are quite simple and a lot easier to maintain than an internal.

Just be sure you have room for the external BENEATH (or lower and to the side) of the tank - otherwise it wont work!

you can also download the manual for it at hagen.com

 

[andyg81]

plenty of room underneath the tank as its a juwel rio bow front with the stand so there is room in the cupboard below it. im going to try getting the air out of my old one when I get home at dinner and if that doesnt work I will go for the second hand fluval

if the air out works ill stick with mine till I can get the money together for a new one in about a months time as id prefer new - too many issues with the second hand stuff ive had already

but will see what happens

ive just downloaded the manual to read when I get in from work

 

[Gilli]

I have the 305 and its a doddle! You just disconnect it to take it to the sink for cleaning and when you reconnect it refills itself. When you do a water change fill it about an inch or so higher than you normally would as when you reconnect the filter after cleaning it will take in quite a bit.

In my filter I have the ceramics in the lower baskets with the sponges next and some polishing pads on top of that.You dont need anything apart from the media you already have, but keep an eye on your water stats as you may have a slight blip for the bacteria to catch right up to speed as you will have had plenty growing on the inside of your old filter and in the pipes which of course you will have lost.

 

[andyg81]

should have got an external one to start with but it was a rushed purchase due to overstocking a smaller tank lol. so i just made do with what I got secondhand with the deal.

I was going to purchase a brand new one this month bu like i said my car took £400 out of my savings ! OUCH and we just dont have the spare month to "waste" this month - unless we want to go without food lol

my problem is once ive started something i wont stop and I want it perfect straight away and I am already planning an upgraded tank (looking at a 5 or 6 footer) would the 305 cover something like this ?

 

[ZoddyZod]

300L is probably the most a 305 could handle.....and even that is pushing it!

it's an addictive hobby, isn't it?

My own advice would be to slooooow down and consider your future plans and options. I was much the same and loved buying new bits of kit all the time, but I certainly wasted some money along the way!

 

[andyg81]

very addictive. ideally my long term plans would be to breed angel fish and blue rams, we may have to move house in June and if we do then definatly getting the bigger tank but keeping the 180 purely for rams to try and breed them.

also totally love plecos I can sit and watch ours for hours and would like a few more of those. its down to money at the end of the day and we have a pot saved up to spend on the hobby but had to use it to keep my car going, that pot will be back in a month or so so then things can move again

 

[andyg81]

Well my current filters had it so taking a chance and buying this one tonight hopefully all seals etc are good

 

[Rhiny]

I recently got a second hand 205 external filter. Fitted it, primed it, started it up and boom, water leaking everywhere. Quick disconnection and a bit of Vaseline around the dry rubber seal and voila a perfectly sealed and happy second hand external Fluval 205 filter.

 

[andyg81]

got my fluval 305 in working order but there are no rim connector clips with it (the guy still had them on his tanks) so got a bit knocked off the price, where can i buy replacements ? i know you dont nessicarily need them and for now its being set up without (just with suction caps and whatever else I can to keep it in place outside the water)

any ideas ?

 

[CezzaXV]

Some duct tape would probably do to keep the lid from coming off. I have a 205 and if I'm honest I haven't cleaned it out at all in the 6 months I've had it. Haven't felt the need to as the flow is still great. Having said that, I went for the 205 even though the 105 would have done because of the possibility of a larger tank in the future. You might new to clean it out more often if your filter is only just big enough for your tank.