Saltwater & Reef

Franco7 · 05-02-2005, 09:58 AM

Hey everyone, newbie to this site, but i have a problem. I went to a couple different stores like local fish stores to talk to some people about canister filters and which one to buy. I heard that eheim and magnum were the top 2 and fluval came 3rd. well i decided to purchase a fluval 404 and went online and started looking at some reviews and they weren't that great. should i have not boughten a fluval 404, there was a disscusion at a store one kid told me to go with a cascade 1000 and the other kid told me to go fluval 404, so whats everyones intake on canisters and did i make a wrong choice? Any help would be apprecaiated...

Frank

TomK2 · 05-02-2005, 10:30 AM

Well, I have three Fluval 404's. On my 55tropical, I have two 404's, and on a 55 goldfish tank i have one. I planned on heavier stock in the tropical tank, and less current in the fancy goldfish tank. Water quality is great in both, so I am not sure you need two 404's for a 55. But I like to overfilter when the current is not an issue.

I have heard great things about the Eheim. I am not happy with the Eheim price. I am satisfied with the Fluvals. More than satisfied, actually. I have had a Magnum a few years ago, and think the fluval is better. The other brands I have no experience with.

I think you will be pleased with the Fluval.

Fishyfanatic · 05-02-2005, 12:26 PM

I have a Cascade 1000 and absolutely LOVE it. They are cheaper online than at a lfs (9 times out of 10). They are very easy to put together and maintain. Right now we have a 1000 and 1200 on our 150 gal but the 1000 was on our 55 before moving it to the 150.

Meredith · 05-02-2005, 01:52 PM

I also had the cascade 1000. I too LOVE that filter. Its awesome. In an emergency smell situation I had, I switched it over to my SW tank (Its working great over there too), and got a fluval 402 for my 55. It really is too small for the 55, but its working ok for now. The next filter I get will be another cascade.

Fishyfanatic · 05-02-2005, 04:04 PM

AND, it can survive a fall to the floor from the kitchen counter and a kick across the room. Right Meredith?

Meredith · 05-02-2005, 04:56 PM

LOL! Yes it can! Its very sturdy.

Jchillin · 05-02-2005, 07:04 PM

Despite the very nice things that Fishyfanatic and Meredith state about the Cascade, there is nothing better than the fluval IMO.

I just started using it a month ago. I did my first cleaning yesterday. My goodness, not only is it easy to dissassemble to get at the compartments...everything fits together like a puzzle so there's no chance of getting it wrong. And the media baskets are absolutely great.

oscarbreeder · 05-02-2005, 07:21 PM

I agree with Jchillin you can't beat the Fluval 404.
I run one on my 55gal African Cichlid tank and it works great. It's a snap to clean and set up. It also holds a ton of media.