Habitat - Indoor :: New filter recommendations

Turtle tank setups and other indoor configurations.

Post Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2016 5:45 pm   New filter recommendations

Our Fluval 405 seems to be on its last leg (been running non stop for almost 7 years I think). I need to get another good quality filter for a 75g aquarium with 1 RES, a pleco and guppies. I am not a handy person, so making one myself is out of the question. Can anyone recommend a quality brand? Im looking at another Fluval, but I know there are other brands out there. Im open to something else, if its good quality. Thanks!
QtCowgirl
 
Posts: 31
Joined: Jun 20, 2013
Gender: Female

Post Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2016 5:57 pm   Re: New filter recommendations

FX6 would be my pick.
1 Male Mississippi Map/Mississippi
1 Female RES/Slidy.
1 DBT White Concentric Female/ Lucky
1 DBT Male/ Spots
(Housed in the same tank)

300 gallon indoor stock tank, FX6 & FX5 filters. Mega-Ray 100w UVB bulb.
User avatar
Kansasslider
 
Posts: 3043
Joined: May 10, 2012
Location: Manhattan,Kansas.
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:04 pm   Re: New filter recommendations

Kansasslider wrote:FX6 would be my pick.


Why is that?
QtCowgirl
 
Posts: 31
Joined: Jun 20, 2013
Gender: Female

Post Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:12 pm   Re: New filter recommendations

Well I have been useing them for 4 years with no problems. They are easy to clean. Hold a ton of media. Are quiet and move a lot of water. The more water a filter moves the better.. I have tried other filter brands and none of them compared to the fluval fx. You could say I'm Fluval forever!
1 Male Mississippi Map/Mississippi
1 Female RES/Slidy.
1 DBT White Concentric Female/ Lucky
1 DBT Male/ Spots
(Housed in the same tank)

300 gallon indoor stock tank, FX6 & FX5 filters. Mega-Ray 100w UVB bulb.
User avatar
Kansasslider
 
Posts: 3043
Joined: May 10, 2012
Location: Manhattan,Kansas.
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:13 pm   Re: New filter recommendations

I even had one set up in a 40 gallon tank. Water was crystal clear.
1 Male Mississippi Map/Mississippi
1 Female RES/Slidy.
1 DBT White Concentric Female/ Lucky
1 DBT Male/ Spots
(Housed in the same tank)

300 gallon indoor stock tank, FX6 & FX5 filters. Mega-Ray 100w UVB bulb.
User avatar
Kansasslider
 
Posts: 3043
Joined: May 10, 2012
Location: Manhattan,Kansas.
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:15 pm   Re: New filter recommendations

Awesome! I love to find out why people recommend what they do :)
QtCowgirl
 
Posts: 31
Joined: Jun 20, 2013
Gender: Female

Post Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:24 pm   Re: New filter recommendations

I don't much about the other Fluval filters but I know the fx is a quality filter. I would probably stay with your 405 if the fx doesn't fit your budget.. Is it just the motor that's going out?
1 Male Mississippi Map/Mississippi
1 Female RES/Slidy.
1 DBT White Concentric Female/ Lucky
1 DBT Male/ Spots
(Housed in the same tank)

300 gallon indoor stock tank, FX6 & FX5 filters. Mega-Ray 100w UVB bulb.
User avatar
Kansasslider
 
Posts: 3043
Joined: May 10, 2012
Location: Manhattan,Kansas.
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:26 pm   Re: New filter recommendations

I think some online shops have great deals on filters for black Friday or cyber monday. You check it out!
1 Male Mississippi Map/Mississippi
1 Female RES/Slidy.
1 DBT White Concentric Female/ Lucky
1 DBT Male/ Spots
(Housed in the same tank)

300 gallon indoor stock tank, FX6 & FX5 filters. Mega-Ray 100w UVB bulb.
User avatar
Kansasslider
 
Posts: 3043
Joined: May 10, 2012
Location: Manhattan,Kansas.
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2016 11:43 pm   Re: New filter recommendations

Yup, this is almost the exact same thread :D viewtopic.php?f=9&t=38523
User avatar
steve
Site Admin
 
Posts: 31430
Joined: Apr 11, 2005
Location: New York, NY
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2016 11:33 am   Re: New filter recommendations

Petsmart has the FX6 on sale for $170.00 plus free shipping!
http://www.petsmart.com/fish/supplies/f ... 16924.html
1 Male Mississippi Map/Mississippi
1 Female RES/Slidy.
1 DBT White Concentric Female/ Lucky
1 DBT Male/ Spots
(Housed in the same tank)

300 gallon indoor stock tank, FX6 & FX5 filters. Mega-Ray 100w UVB bulb.
User avatar
Kansasslider
 
Posts: 3043
Joined: May 10, 2012
Location: Manhattan,Kansas.
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2016 11:53 am   Re: New filter recommendations

Got my order in! Thanks Kansas!
User avatar
steve
Site Admin
 
Posts: 31430
Joined: Apr 11, 2005
Location: New York, NY
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 11:55 am   Re: New filter recommendations

Kansasslider wrote:Petsmart has the FX6 on sale for $170.00 plus free shipping!
http://www.petsmart.com/fish/supplies/f ... 16924.html


Damn, I must have just missed that! What a deal! I got my FX5 used for a steal, but a brand new FX6 for $170 is the kind of thing you buy even if you don't need it right now.


As for the original question - I second the FX6 (or FX5, they''re basically identical, and you can find a FX5 used for a good deal sometimes). It's so easy to use, easy to clean, very powerful, and has a ton of space for media. Water changes are a breeze - I just attach a water hose to the purge valve, run it out the back door, open the valve and let gravity do the work.

My only complaints are:
1. plastic parts - The purge valve and the screws that tighten the cap have both broken on mine, and replacement parts are Fluval brand only and WAAAY overpriced.
2. hose diameter - you can fit standard plumbing fittings to the hoses, but it's not a great fit, so if you're trying to plumb the filter into a more elaborate or DIY configuration, it's kind of a pain. Again, this is obviously so they can sell you their overpriced parts.
OtisDriftwood
 
Posts: 83
Joined: Jun 20, 2015
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 10:05 pm   Re: New filter recommendations

Good points. How long have you had your filters running?
User avatar
steve
Site Admin
 
Posts: 31430
Joined: Apr 11, 2005
Location: New York, NY
Gender: Male

Post Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 3:22 pm   Re: New filter recommendations

Another vote for the fx6. I've been using an fx5 for around 5 years now and it probably the best filter I've used in 30 years of having a res. I had a 405 (I think it was a 405) for a bit years back and while the water was always clear and clean, i do less maintenance less often with the fx5. 7-14days for water changes and 2-3 months before needing to clean the filter. I could go 4 months before filter cleanings, but I dont like seeing anything above 10ppms when testing the water.
Inmate1024
 
Posts: 11
Joined: Dec 8, 2016

Post Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2016 11:04 pm   Re: New filter recommendations

I think there was someone who had their FX5 running over a year without a cleaning... would like an update on that :)
User avatar
steve
Site Admin
 
Posts: 31430
Joined: Apr 11, 2005
Location: New York, NY
Gender: Male

Next

Return to Habitat - Indoor

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests