View Full Version : RENA filstar or fluval
SEW1965
12-26-2002, 8:19 PM
Hey Guys.... Just need a little opinion. I want my new 55g aquarium to have a canister, only because it will sit close to the wall. My question is, who makes the better quality filter and has anyone had bad experiences with these. I don't know how much room is needed for the Emporer 400, which is also a possibility. All comments are appreciated!:)
pinballqueen
12-26-2002, 9:32 PM
I had a Fluval 303 that finally quit working after many years of service... the motor finally burned out after our last power outage. My mom has a Fluval 403 on hers, and I must say, it has a lot of improvements over the model I had, including a self-priming ability (Yay, no more trying to siphon the thing to get it going....). I have been impressed with the quality, and there are only a few drawbacks to them, common to most canisters....
The worst part of a canister is there is unfailingly a mess waiting to happen when you change or clean the media. Have plenty of towels handy, because they always let water spill out. The newer filters are better than the older ones were, though.
On the whole, though, Fluval is a great product, IMO. Others may have a different story.
125gJoe
12-27-2002, 5:34 AM
I have both the Fluval 404 and Filstar XP-3 canisters. I have proven the Filstar to filter better than the Fluval. The Filstar has many more features, and it even has 'grips' or handles for easy carrying when cleaning is needed. Another good thing is the Filstar has a variable flow which is real nice in case you think you have too much water flow. Or, which I did, is hook up a UV sterilizer to the outflow side. I slowed the flow down some so the UV can do its thing... Too much flow thru a UV sterilizer is not wanted..
stpower
12-27-2002, 6:33 AM
I agree, the Filstar is a better filter. I have seen the Fluval 404 in use at my LFS and was there when the guy was cleaning it. My opinion, the filstar is much easier to clean and is a lot cleaner while servicing.
NJ Devils Fan
12-27-2002, 8:31 AM
I would go with the medium size filstar and an Emp 400.
An Emperor 400 will set your tank about 4" away from the wall.
I have a filstar xp 2 on one of my 37 gallon tanks. It's a great filter. It sucks up everything. It is also easy to clean. It has an emergency release kind of thing so when you take it apart almost no water spills out. The only time I ever had any water spill was when I didn't put the top back on tight. I would highly recommend this filter.
FishHunter8
12-27-2002, 11:01 AM
Love my flouval 404;)
superjohnny
12-27-2002, 1:28 PM
What about the Eheim professional series? Those look really nice.
christopher1260
12-27-2002, 2:07 PM
no complaints with my fluval, but i have heard great things about filstars
Tyler718
12-27-2002, 4:10 PM
I have 3 Fluval 404's right now and don't have one complaint about them. I did though just order a Filstar XP3 about 15 minutes ago. Everything I heard was good about them so I figured I would a try.
I have the fluval 404 and the self primer is a laugh, I 've never
had so much trouble starting a filter up. The self primer dosn't work worth a pc of you know what. Of course I don't have much experience with canister filters but I think for my next one I'll get the money together for an Eheim.
jdheff1982
12-27-2002, 8:36 PM
Yo! I got a Filstar XP3 for Christmas and love it!! I had it put together and running within 30 minutes!!! The baskets are really neat to store your media in; so far, no problems with a lot of clean water!! XP3 is the way to go!!
beviking
12-27-2002, 8:56 PM
I've had the XP3 for a month and have "cleaned" it (changing media out from other filter) twice so far. Have to say its pretty simple and if you're careful, you won't spill any water pulling the hoses and assembly out. Just have a small towel on hand to set them on. I also use a 2nd bucket to put the baskets into after rinsing them. IMO, it is very easy to set up, get going, and maintain. It's my 1st canister so I can't compare it to any others though.
Ken91gsx
12-28-2002, 12:07 AM
Fluval never got there act together, bad design. Filstar is the way to go. They have a simple, efficient design and cheap $. The Emporer 400 takes up alot of room behind the tank. I would attach a Pro 60 Bio-wheel onto the output of the Filstar XP3.
That is what I'm running on my 65 gal and it works great.
On the same price range is other new canister filter by Plenn Plax call Cascade w/ self priming and also ViaAqua has one too.
superjohnny
12-28-2002, 12:37 PM
Hate to bring it up a second time, but what about Eheim? How do they compare to the Fluval?