Last Updated: November 25, 2018 (Refresh Now)
Fluval External Filter
Last Updated: November 25, 2018 (Refresh Now)
7.8
SCORE
/10
Total Reviews
860
Old Reviews
475
Unverified
117
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69.6 meters
SIZE
Review Analysis - 268 recent, verified reviews
Detailed Mode
Cleaning
59cleaning, tank, canister filter, canister, fluval
+66%
-34%
" ... The water is cleaner looking that the old model and the new model is much quieter. ... "
" ... I've never had any leaks or clogs, and frankly you can go way too long without cleaning it before you run into any issues. ... When you do decide to clean it, it's a breeze. ... "
" ... Best canister filter I’ve ever owned. ... "
" ... Water clear and definitely cleaner. ... "
" ... Its pretty quiet if there are no air bubbles in it. ... My water stays very clean with it. ... "
" ... Much easier to clean than internal filter. ... "
" ... Setup is easy and I have broken it down to simulate what I'd do for cleaning just to see how easy/hard it is. ... The Aquastop valve works great and I can remove the filter for cleaning with only a few drops of water hitting the floor. ... "
" ... My small filter was great, but with a turtle, I had to clean it every week. ... It did a good job, but every time I cleaned it, I had lots of issues. ... "
Product Reliability
48fluval, running, impeller, 206, years
+48%
-52%
" ... Primer stop working after a few months ... "
" ... When i used it the first time, it was working great but when i cleaned it and primed it the second time, i cannot get it to prime at all. ... "
" ... I had the 403 for over 5 years before the motor died. ... "
" ... After being completely disassembled and inspected, it seemed to work fine and then about an hour later the same slow leak developed. ... "
" ... Over the next couple of weeks though, I started seeing some cloudiness. ... It still isn’t working. ... It occurred to me as I sat on the floor staring at a tank that now holds one dead Red Clawed Crab and a dead catfish, that it shouldn’t have been THIS difficult. ... If a product can have this happen merely 6 months after purchase, why would I want to invest any more money or time in trying to fix it? ... "
" ... Lasted two months before it started making noise and the impeller failed. ... I have had Eheim's work over 10 years with just the standard maintenance and this fails after two months . ... "
" ... The pump wasn't even a month old! ... "
" ... But, be aware of two design issues. ... "
Ease of Use
37tank, quiet, instructions, easy to setup, easy to assemble
+97%
-3%
" ... Setup was easy and I had no trouble with water flow on startup. ... "
" ... I watched a few YouTube videos which made installation easy. ... "
" ... Just folllw the instructions and it's pretty simple to set up. ... "
" ... Lv it so easy to set up ... "
" ... It is so easy to set up and get going if you read the instructions. ... "
" ... Easier to maintain, just has a bit more of a learning curve but after a good youtube vid you'll be good. ... "
" ... Easy to install and does a great job in my 60 gallon tank. ... "
" ... Setup is easy and I have broken it down to simulate what I'd do for cleaning just to see how easy/hard it is. ... "
Setup
28directions, easy to set, followed, follow, easy to setup
+86%
-14%
" ... Followed the instructions perfectly . ... "
" ... Setup was easy and I had no trouble with water flow on startup. ... "
" ... I watched a few YouTube videos which made installation easy. ... "
" ... Just folllw the instructions and it's pretty simple to set up. ... Definitely follow their instructions. ... "
" ... It worked, no problems as far as the initial setup is concerned. ... "
" ... It is so easy to set up and get going if you read the instructions. ... I followed another reviews instructions to keep the output closer to the filter, and it works great. ... "
" ... Setup is easy and I have broken it down to simulate what I'd do for cleaning just to see how easy/hard it is. ... "
" ... Setup simple and the connections had me skeptical but work great. ... "
Build Quality
23impeller, hoses, ribbed, impeller cover, filter
+13%
-87%
" ... It’s gonna break when it’s most inconvenient. ... "
" ... The primer (a plastic knob) does not work. ... "
" ... And the gasket. ... Nicely designed product but poor, poor quality. ... "
" ... Glad I caught it before it caused to much damage. ... "
" ... When you place the top (motor) on the canister, push down firmly on all four sides BEFORE you engage the locking clamps. ... And, I see a lot of complaints that the impeller cover falls off. ... The illustration shows that you need to push down on BOTH ends of the top to secure it. ... "
" ... I had to take all the hoses apart and flush them out. ... "
" ... The plastic spindle broke and found piece in filter. ... The plastic propeller also broke. ... "
" ... I tried silicone grease on all the valves, tubing, the impeller cover and the o-ring ... I tried airline tubing on the lid clamps ... I took it apart and reassembled it . ... "
Water Usage
22tank, filter, flow, outtake, fluval
+82%
-18%
" ... So I zip-tied a sponge to the output to slow down the water flow it works great. ... "
" ... Great filter for my fresh water 70 gallon tank. ... "
" ... Great water flow. ... "
" ... My tanks water is now crystal clear! ... "
" ... Water clear and definitely cleaner. ... "
" ... It moves a lot of water quietly. ... "
" ... t need a lot of upkeep, and crystal clear water. ... "
" ... My water stays very clean with it. ... "
Water Resistance
21water crystal clear, tank, crystal clear, outtake, filter
+90%
-10%
" ... Once everything settled down in the tank, the water was crystal clear. ... "
" ... I just got my pond in operation and the water is so clear and everything is working fine. ... "
" ... My tanks water is now crystal clear! ... "
" ... Water clear and definitely cleaner. ... "
" ... t need a lot of upkeep, and crystal clear water. ... "
" ... My water stays very clean with it. ... "
" ... Just remember to keep the outtake above the water line and it works better ... "
" ... The water looks and tests great and I'm very happy so far. ... "
Sound Quality
20impeller, rattling, filter, water, silent
+80%
-20%
" ... It is very quiet. ... "
" ... Did I mention how quiet it is? ... "
" ... Great filter, is completely silent, and is quality built. ... "
" ... Fairly quiet and well built. ... "
" ... This fine piece of machinery it so quite I can hear my turtles breath in the morning, this is no lie!!!!!!! ... "
" ... It is very quiet, and we have it in the base cabinet which blocks any sound. ... "
" ... This thing is also very quiet. ... "
" ... Very powerful quiet running. ... "
Storage
19gallon, 55 gallon, 20 gallon, filter, breeder
+84%
-16%
" ... Works great on my Mr. Aqua 12 gallon long aquarium. ... "
" ... I have used a 306 on a 55 gallon community tank in another room for the past 3 years and it has done a great job with no problems. ... "
" ... This filter holds tons of media, including lots of mechanical filtration. ... "
" ... Super quiet and with four trays, endless modifications. ... "
" ... This has got to be the best filter I have a 40g breeder tank planted and I have always had hobs and its has been so noisy now my tank is crytals clear and is quiet as mouse I'm loving the FLUVAL! ... "
" ... I had my first one over 2 years and finally decided to add a second to my 120 gallon aquarium. ... "
" ... Works great with my 55 gallon. ... "
" ... Very strong flow for my 50 gallon tank. ... "
Price
16worth the money, filter, worth, waste your money, waste
+63%
-38%
" ... best money I’ve spent! ... "
" ... Best investment ever for my discus, turtles, and lizards. ... "
" ... I feel that this is as good as is gets where quality, function, and price point meet. ... "
" ... Worth the money ... "
" ... Best Money invested!!! ... "
" ... Definitely worth the money to finally have a filter strong enough to keep up with turtles. ... "
" ... Worth the money. ... "
" ... Dont waste your money on any other compeditors products . ... This is the real deal! ... "
Delivery
12shipping, filter, delivery, shipped, package
+67%
-33%
" ... Wasn't happy with how the product was shipped but happy with the product itself. ... "
" ... Shipped very quickly. ... "
" ... received in perfection condition @ ... "
" ... Shipping package was just fine. ... "
" ... The packaging was undamaged, the filter appeared perfect. ... "
" ... The delivery was right on time and there filter is priced right and very quiet. ... "
Fit
12impeller cover, canister, tubing, seal, lid
+25%
-75%
" ... Started leaking inexplicably 22 months into its first operation around lift-lock clamps. ... "
" ... When you place the top (motor) on the canister, push down firmly on all four sides BEFORE you engage the locking clamps. ... I thought that the fancy clamp system should have done the job, but they do not pull the top down securely. ... And, I see a lot of complaints that the impeller cover falls off. ... Once I reinstalled using firm pressure on both side of the top, the cover was securely locked in place. ... "
" ... I tried airline tubing on the lid clamps ... "
" ... It leaked on the bottom at the point where one of the rubber feet attach. ... "
" ... It just doesn't hold up. ... "
" ... and yet the plates keep falling out. ... Who designs a filter that needs a plate that barely snaps into place to keep the impeller in? ... "
" ... The impeller cover continuously falls off or apart. ... "
" ... After I set everything up and started to purge the air the filter began leaking from the area behind the clamps. ... "
Lens
10filter, fluval, marineland, canister, particulate
+70%
-30%
" ... Filter works great. ... "
" ... I am also running a Fluval 70 filter but this canister filter will make my water crystal clear and make it a super safe and peaceful environment for my fishes to live in. ... "
" ... I've been using Fluval filters for decades because they are robust and continually improve their filter systems. ... "
" ... The main particulate filter is formed by the full cross-section from the bottom to the top of the filter canister. ... "
" ... I own 6 Fluval Filters and they are the greatest FX-5 . ... "
" ... one of the best filters made ... "
" ... This is the only company to buy from for your filters. ... "
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Specifications
Body
Size: 69.6 meters
Recommendations
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