Equipment Review and Discussion :: Fluval 404 - Motor running, no flow

[gt5268]

I have went through 3 fluvals already.Can all 3 be lemons?? No I don't think so!! Yes they work great for a little while and then the first sign is when it starts to leak!! Imagine waking up in the morning to feed my 2 RES and there is water all over the floor!! What if I was not home?? When you clean them you have got to be very very carefull as they break very easy!! The locks on the side will snap right off.Stay away from fluval!! Buy Ehiem or Rena!!!

[Daniel3507]

what fluval did you have?

[gt5268]

Hi.I had a fluval 204 then 205 and then a 404 model.Like I said they don't last very long at all.The only thing they were good for was target practice!!

[BullDog]

I haven't heard too many bad stories about Fluvals... I've heard of the locks snapping off if you carry them by the locks.

I've had only good experiences with Fluvals; First an internal, then the 404, and now the FX5. I can't say enough good things about the FX5

[Daniel3507]

i have an fx5 and i love it.

[Chrisbarnett]

I only had one fluval, a internal 2+. it was alright, with a bit of modification it was a lot better.

i like the Rena's better though, they just seem to have a better design imo.

the fx5 is superior to the renas though i must admit.

[grey goose]

I have a 402 that's 8-9 years old and all I had to replace was the impeller and one of the rubber connectors (it dried out). But if I was just starting out I would go with an XP3 or 4.....The Fluval filters aren't very user friendly, especially the handles and can be a real pain to set up and prime.
However, the Fluval FX5 is by far the best filter for turtle tank applications, provided you have a large enough tank.

[gt5268]

Well I would call you a very lucky person!! Your fluval has lasted that long?? Wow!! You are totally right the fluvals are not user friendly at all.They are a pain in the butt to prime and get it to start pumping water!! The fluvals I had did a good job but they broke very easy.They are much to fragile.They start to leak and the handles will always break on you.I have heard many great things about the FX5 but it costs way too much $$$$

[Bascomb]

Bull-D I am not sure what the 404 does in regards to gph. Make sure the gph is at least 5 times the water volume you have in the tank. b.