I have very limited experience with canister filters. Actually I own a MiniCanister (cheap, not that good but fair as secondary filtration) I keep in a 26gBow.

I keep three AquaClear 110 as main filtration. The reason for upgrading is to remove at least one of these units (hopefully two)

For my Oscar tank I have the following purchase options (due to being available locally) all new in their box:
1) Fluval 405 (at discount price)
2) Boyu EFU-35 (costs a bit less than the Fluval at discount)
3) Marineland HOT Pro Bio 350 (costs more but I have credit -the store owes me more than enough for me to bring it home).
4) Marineland HOT 350 (not Pro Bio) costs the same as the Fluval at discount
5) Marineland HOT 250 (I could get two of these units for a bit more than the Fluval offer) (this model is also available in the LFS I have credit)

Things to consider: I live in Santo Domingo, so spare parts are a hassle. I rather get a "hardy" unit. I don't mind doing maintenance regularly.

If you happen to have experience with one or more of these models and you are aware of maintenance tips, particular strengths or weaknesses in their design please educate me!

1) Fluval seems to be a canister filter with some but not much spare parts available, although mostly what I see are filter media I spotted one impeller.

2) Boyu has no spare parts, but comes with built in UV-C. Another drawback is that it is wired for Europe voltage (220V, 50Hz) and my source AC is 120V, 60Hz. Not a problem for the UV unit but the motor will certainly be slower with a higher AC frequency... A transformer is something I could work out. I am not sure the UV-C performs as promised (I know some built in Canister UVs do nothing at all)

3) Marineland has more spare parts available, although not all, some are in limited quantity (like the screen) of ones I would like having.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

as a technical guy, i could only share my knowledge on
compatibility.... anything that runs on different power
supply is not good. what i suggest is get whatever is suited
in the power supply in your area. spare parts is just secondary.
you would not needed them if they are not broke. if you have
item running not in the required power supply, you will need more
spare parts than as you could imagine....

definately a fluval 405 everytime for me .......great filters!!!!!!!

fluval hands down way more reliable than anything marineland sells an overall excellent filter.
for replacement parts all you will probably need is a spare impeller and maybe a shaft.

I love my Fluval, just note the FX5 is HUGE!! I found out the hard way as no one on here told me!

I wish it were a FX5 model! The one available is the 405.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

Ebay is where I got mine! Cheap!

Hi I am new to this site but I use the Magnum bio pro 350 and the 250 and I've had no major problems with either one, the only problem I've had with the 350 is the hoses because I pop them off the barb fitting to run the tube brush through them, so when I put them back together they leak until I get the fit just right.
I use the 250 because I use it to vacuum the tank without any water replacement, I've had them for over a year without any part replacement.
I have been looking at the eheim filters and the fluval but I only want something that makes my job easier.

wbauers wrote:


Can you comment with more detail? How can a canister be used to vacuum the tank substrate? I'm curious.

Pepe
Santo Domingo

The cannister hangs on the tank and the intake tube is about 10" long but it can be removed and the unit comes with an adapter that you can attach your gravel vacuum to and away you go and as you vacuum, the water is caught by the filter and put right back in the tank, it was only about $60.00. I always do this right before my water changes.Send email and I will send picture.

wbauers wrote:


What size is the tank you are using this filter on? I have been searching for a good filter for my 75 gallon tank that I am housing 2 o's in. I expect to upgrade into the 125 gal range eventually. I really can't afford 234.00 u.s. dollars right now, the cheapest I could find a fluval fx5 on ebay. And my gawd does that thing look huge. Looks to be bigger than a 5 gal bucket. I would love to have one. Going to keep searching craigs list and other sources in hopes to find a used one.

Sam

if you find the fx5 a bit much for your 75 you might look into a fluval 405 instead. theyre solid filters with easy access to replacement parts if they might be required.