Oh Yeah, Filter Question!

[mbriggs84]

OK So here's my question. I have a 90 gallon. Whats your opinion on filters? I'm looking at fluval mainly. Do you think it'd be better to go with fx5, or 2 405's. I know they have 406 now, but I can afford 2 if i go with the 405. Or does anyone think a single 406 would be ok?

 

[OldMan47]

Fluval 404, 405 and 406 are all the same size. They only update the design a bit between different series.
A 90 gallon tank can be readily filtered by any of those Fluvals or by a Rena XP3. I am not familiar with the model numbering scheme of the Eheims so I can't recommend any particular model but the pro series have a lot of fans here on TFF.

 

[thereverendturtle]

A single 405 or 406 would work well on a 90 gallon. They are rated to 100 gallons. The FX5 is rated for aquariums up to 400 gallons, so would be overkill in some tanks, others the extra filtration would be well deserved, such as a heavily stocked Mbuna tank or fish that like high flow.

 

[mbriggs84]

awesome, I'm assuming the same would apply to a rena xp3. Just when I thought I was settled. I can't make up my mind... so many options. I just want to make sure I make the right decision.

 

[thereverendturtle]

Yes the XP3 is right there with them. The only thing I don't like about the xp's, is that they can be a real pain to get restarted after maintenance. I worked with xp's and fluval's for 5 years and can't remember how many times the xp's wouldn't fire up after cleaning them.

 

[OldMan47]

Have you never used an XP series Turtle? I restart mine by opening the hose connection valve arrangement and waiting 30 seconds before plugging them in. What could possibly be easier?

 

[thereverendturtle]

Been using them for over 10 years. Xp1 through the xp4. Just my experience with them.

 

[mbriggs84]

I guess this is why it is so confusing shopping these canisters. I'm starting to think that any of them can be hit or miss. Just depends on the individual filter. I suppose I can only hope to have good luck when making my decision!

 

[thereverendturtle]

It truly is. The best canister I've personally owned, and I have had a few different ones, was/is a via aqua unit. But when I was working retail, numerous ones were brought back because they would burn out.

 

[OldMan47]

I have a total of 6 Renas in my home. All of them are dead silent and all of them restart after cleaning with zero effort. One thing that is critical with them is to trim the hoses exactly as recommended in the instructions. I have one that I cut a bit on the long side to allow myself a measure of flexibility just in case I decided to move it around. It was a real PITA until I followed the instructions about how much to trim the hoses. Once it was set up per design, it worked just fine. I suspect that turtle is one of the people who, just like me, tried to set up a just in case situation but did not learn to change things to the design parameters. That means he is still experiencing the hose too long phenomenon that I went through for a while. He thinks that it is the fault of the filter that he has trouble instead of changing his arrangement to make things easy. No mbriggs, it is not hit or miss. Follow the darned instructions and things will work out every time, not just now and then.

 

[thereverendturtle]

I wish I could say it was just me, but like I said 5 years at a lfs and following directions, didn't always yield the best results. Personally I like the xp's because they have so many options when it comes to media selection. The op asked about fluval's so that's what I responded to.