I hate Fluvals............

KuanTi · 07/25/2006, 06:04 PM

Is it me, or do fluvals have a lot of issues? I've had tens of fluvals and they always break. I know, if they break so often on me, why keep buying them and avoid the problem all together. Well theyr'e affordable and they're readily available. I've had the 03's and all of the 04 models. Impellers break and the shafts, the o-rings, they leak, they're horrible! Just when i thought it couldnt get any worse, i end up putting the cost of one filter into replacement parts all within a week because first an impeller would break, then the shaft would break, then i couldn't close it because the o-ring was broken, then the shut off valve would mess up, or the something else would break. When my 304's impeller broke, i was about to chuck it against a wall and figured that'd get me as much satisfaction as if it were working again. I hate these filters! And hagen too, they're stuff is so over priced, except for their Aquaclear line, i wouildnt buy their stuff again.

I felt i was being a little too harsh on them, so i decided to give them one last chance, i purchased an FX5 to run on my 240 Fish only..... i woke up this morning to find the pump not working at all, and i first thought it was purging itself, but turns out, it wasnt. I took it a part, the pump was dead! only after 3-4 months! Some say eheims aren't much better, but i've had NO trouble with them.

I hate fluvals!!!!!! And my LFS stocks so many spare parts, i think its a conspiracy from hagen to make substandard equipment just so they can sell more. And i looked at their "new" 05 series! the only improvement would be the intake strainer! Man these guys are unbelievable. The least they could have done was upgrade their flow rates!

Zoom · 07/25/2006, 06:45 PM

I don't like to run them in salt water tanks, they are not to durable , but they run good in Fresh water tanks. Eheim is very good but you pay the price.

humbugy · 07/25/2006, 07:54 PM

rena filstar, i abuse mine, still works

scumonkey · 07/25/2006, 09:10 PM

Eheim all the way- you get what you pay for!

kdblove_99 · 07/25/2006, 09:13 PM

Rena Filstar! Owned Eheim and Fluval and like i said Rena Filstar!!!!!

KuanTi · 07/25/2006, 09:19 PM

i know, i took the plunge and spent $800 on two eheims because i was so ****ed off. They're running great. After my 104-404's i didnt purchase a fluval until the FX5. Now i need to get an eheim. I hate fluvals and i even use them on my freshwater tanks. In fact, they were all on freshwater, my FX5 is the only one on salt. Very annoying...

tuberider · 07/26/2006, 09:22 AM

I have an old tan/brown 103 I could fire up righ now, it's around 20-22 years old can't remember. Anyway... I purchased the updated model (104) recently and lets just say it's in a thousand little pieces. I think Hagen is contracting out the building of these pumps to Jebo.

flameangel88 · 07/26/2006, 11:03 AM

I'd a 403 leaked in less than a year and I'm one of those that doesn't take it apart often to clean. So I can't see how the seal will go bad that fast and those clips aren't that tight to begin with. Since that I've purchased 4 Eheim filters and must say they are very good and easy to work with especially the P3. I would get a Magnum before getting a Fluval.

FishMaster1000 · 07/26/2006, 11:05 AM

What do you guys use the canisters for on reef tanks?

flameangel88 · 07/26/2006, 12:52 PM

More flow, I've LRs in mine and I think I've less heat then with PHs inside the tank. I've some of them from FW tanks and might as well put them to use.

sing4lts · 07/26/2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flameangel88
More flow, I've LRs in mine and I think I've less heat then with PHs inside the tank. I've some of them from FW tanks and might as well put them to use.

I run Chemi-pure and a Nitrate Sponge in my 403. BTW, my 403 is 6 years old. I have only had to replace the impellar, well cover and key, twice in those six years. I find that they are good for about 3 years before needing replacement. They will start getting noiser when they are getting ready to go out.

I've never thought about running LR in the filter...How is that working out for your? Does it help keep the nitrates in check? Also how do you have your spray bar postioned. I have mine on the surface to help agitate the water. I've seen some folks run there's lower to the sand band to keep it agitated, and I've seen others run halfway down the tank so that the LR gets a good flow behind it. Where are you guys that are using the canister filters placing your return spray bars?

Gundo5000 · 07/26/2006, 03:18 PM

My fluval 304 has problems starting , but once it starts its fine.

Running for 3 years.

roader247 · 07/26/2006, 04:09 PM

I've run a magnum for years you will need to replace the gaskets and O-ring once in a while but the run good

smellyfish · 07/27/2006, 08:48 PM

Fluvals rock! Whenever they break, the lfs alwayus has the parts. Word!

KuanTi · 07/28/2006, 12:45 AM

LFS should be more responsible and stop looking at their bottom line. they should sell filters that work better so a novice or even a seasoned fishkeeper doesnt get discouraged. But its hard to find nice lfs owners with the integrity to look out for the customer. I'm glad my lfs has a great owner. Not only does he carry the crappiest of crap, but occasionally you'll find top of the line stuff, which makes going there the best experience. It's like a diamond in the rough. Even though they're a little weird, that's ok, they'll take my money anyways.

wtac · 07/28/2006, 06:49 AM

Askoll (ITA) private lables the Fluvals for Hagen from what I hear.

07/25/2006, 06:04 PM	#1
KuanTi Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: San Francisco Posts: 299	I hate Fluvals............ Is it me, or do fluvals have a lot of issues? I've had tens of fluvals and they always break. I know, if they break so often on me, why keep buying them and avoid the problem all together. Well theyr'e affordable and they're readily available. I've had the 03's and all of the 04 models. Impellers break and the shafts, the o-rings, they leak, they're horrible! Just when i thought it couldnt get any worse, i end up putting the cost of one filter into replacement parts all within a week because first an impeller would break, then the shaft would break, then i couldn't close it because the o-ring was broken, then the shut off valve would mess up, or the something else would break. When my 304's impeller broke, i was about to chuck it against a wall and figured that'd get me as much satisfaction as if it were working again. I hate these filters! And hagen too, they're stuff is so over priced, except for their Aquaclear line, i wouildnt buy their stuff again. I felt i was being a little too harsh on them, so i decided to give them one last chance, i purchased an FX5 to run on my 240 Fish only..... i woke up this morning to find the pump not working at all, and i first thought it was purging itself, but turns out, it wasnt. I took it a part, the pump was dead! only after 3-4 months! Some say eheims aren't much better, but i've had NO trouble with them. I hate fluvals!!!!!! And my LFS stocks so many spare parts, i think its a conspiracy from hagen to make substandard equipment just so they can sell more. And i looked at their "new" 05 series! the only improvement would be the intake strainer! Man these guys are unbelievable. The least they could have done was upgrade their flow rates!

07/26/2006, 09:22 AM	#7
tuberider Where's Lahey? Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Montara, Ca. Posts: 1,392	I have an old tan/brown 103 I could fire up righ now, it's around 20-22 years old can't remember. Anyway... I purchased the updated model (104) recently and lets just say it's in a thousand little pieces. I think Hagen is contracting out the building of these pumps to Jebo. __________________ "Nobody wants it admit they ate nine cans of ravioli, but I did and I'm ashamed of myself." Ricky Current Tank Info: on the verge of crashing at any moment

07/26/2006, 03:18 PM	#12
Gundo5000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,534	My fluval 304 has problems starting , but once it starts its fine. Running for 3 years. __________________ GUNDO

07/26/2006, 04:09 PM	#13
roader247 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Athens GA Posts: 657	I've run a magnum for years you will need to replace the gaskets and O-ring once in a while but the run good __________________ Old Enough too Know Better But Young Enough Too Do It Anyway Mark Current Tank Info: 1 75 gallon fish only marine tank 1 55 fresh water tank and 1 29 gallon fresh tank

07/25/2006, 06:45 PM	#2
Zoom Premium Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: S.N.J Posts: 5,706	I don't like to run them in salt water tanks, they are not to durable , but they run good in Fresh water tanks. Eheim is very good but you pay the price.

07/25/2006, 07:54 PM	#3
humbugy Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: bloomington, il Posts: 464	rena filstar, i abuse mine, still works

07/25/2006, 09:10 PM	#4
scumonkey Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NYC NY Posts: 467	Eheim all the way- you get what you pay for!

07/25/2006, 09:13 PM	#5
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Rena Filstar! Owned Eheim and Fluval and like i said Rena Filstar!!!!!

07/25/2006, 09:19 PM	#6
KuanTi Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: San Francisco Posts: 299	i know, i took the plunge and spent $800 on two eheims because i was so ****ed off. They're running great. After my 104-404's i didnt purchase a fluval until the FX5. Now i need to get an eheim. I hate fluvals and i even use them on my freshwater tanks. In fact, they were all on freshwater, my FX5 is the only one on salt. Very annoying...

07/26/2006, 11:03 AM	#8
flameangel88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 3,998	I'd a 403 leaked in less than a year and I'm one of those that doesn't take it apart often to clean. So I can't see how the seal will go bad that fast and those clips aren't that tight to begin with. Since that I've purchased 4 Eheim filters and must say they are very good and easy to work with especially the P3. I would get a Magnum before getting a Fluval.

07/26/2006, 11:05 AM	#9
FishMaster1000 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Middletown, New Jersey Posts: 520	What do you guys use the canisters for on reef tanks?

07/26/2006, 12:52 PM	#10
flameangel88 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 3,998	More flow, I've LRs in mine and I think I've less heat then with PHs inside the tank. I've some of them from FW tanks and might as well put them to use.

07/27/2006, 08:48 PM	#14
smellyfish Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Carlos, Ca Posts: 129	Fluvals rock! Whenever they break, the lfs alwayus has the parts. Word!

07/28/2006, 12:45 AM	#15
KuanTi Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: San Francisco Posts: 299	LFS should be more responsible and stop looking at their bottom line. they should sell filters that work better so a novice or even a seasoned fishkeeper doesnt get discouraged. But its hard to find nice lfs owners with the integrity to look out for the customer. I'm glad my lfs has a great owner. Not only does he carry the crappiest of crap, but occasionally you'll find top of the line stuff, which makes going there the best experience. It's like a diamond in the rough. Even though they're a little weird, that's ok, they'll take my money anyways.

07/28/2006, 06:49 AM	#16
wtac Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto and Calgary, Canada Posts: 377	Askoll (ITA) private lables the Fluvals for Hagen from what I hear.