Anybody out there own a Fluval 404?

ibr3ak said:
No no, I mean the impeller cover, like this:

yhst-85300140756196_2059_143935321


The clamps on either side should really be reinforced with a thicker plastic.
Click to expand...
I agree, i had two replace mine three or four times because i broke them. I also broke the clips that hold the filter together a couple of times.
 
One thing I can say for sure about fluval in general - A lot of people complain about them, say they are nothing but problems. A lot of others (including myself) have never had a problem with them in years (in some cases, decades) of use. I don't know what the difference is between the people that love them and the people that hate them.
 
Like some people that cant drive stick shifts, anything that requires mechanical effort on reassembly like an O-ring placement or alignment of a part causes broken parts problems for some people, but not for me.

The problems I read about the Fluval 404 was leaking around the lid because of 2 small holes in the molding that leaks around the O-ring also complaints about the ceramic impeller magnet shattering easily. Lesson learned look closely at the model number ( my mind seen 405) and research before you bid LOL.
 
I have 2 of the 404's and both work fine and are silent. Funny I was watching that ebay fluval auction you won lol 68.00 was a fair price since it was complete with all the parts and looked clean. I bought both of mine off ebay in the 50.00 - 60.00 price range which is average selling price. I rub a light coat of vaseline around the top lid seal but I do that on all my canisters. 404 replacement parts are always avail on ebay pretty cheap.
 
RodInCALIFORNIA said:
I have 2 of the 404's and both work fine and are silent. Funny I was watching that ebay fluval auction you won lol 68.00 was a fair price since it was complete with all the parts and looked clean. I bought both of mine off ebay in the 50.00 - 60.00 price range which is average selling price. I rub a light coat of vaseline around the top lid seal but I do that on all my canisters. 404 replacement parts are always avail on ebay pretty cheap.
Click to expand...

The Vaseline is a great trick about as good as silicone lube for ensuring an O-ring seal. Thanks, you made be feel good about the purchase now and especially after seeing how much my new Koi poo like little goats. So my second worry about this making 1 too many filters have also been dispelled.
 
you can never over filter goldfish, koi tanks in my opinion. i run fx5's on all 4 of my goldfish tanks + a fluval 404 or a HOT magnum. I love them hot magnums i own more then my share of them about 10 now last count lol I just got last week 1 magnum 350 and 2 hot magnums in a ebay auction for 50.00 that included shipping. one of my best buys on ebay and all work fine. I use hot magnums on 7 of my apple and giant ramshorn breeding tanks excellent filters. just seen a 404 ending in 4 minutes for 46.00 i am thinking about slamming a snipe bid on i hate ebay so tempting all the time LoL
 
RodInCALIFORNIA said:
I love them hot magnums i own more then my share of them about 10 now last count lol I use hot magnums on 7 of my apple and giant ramshorn breeding tanks excellent filters.
Click to expand...

Speaking of Hot Mags I think I finally got the optimum long term flow and filtration balance set up. Since the carbon basket is so small I gave up on using carbon inside the Hot Mag. As you probubly already know I use only the large center strainer cut to fit from the polishing filter which I never use. Also I made a small tube sock of blue/white bio blanket (right size filter material), stitched with dental floss to slip-fit over and onto that canter holy strainer before install, snugly fitted like an inside last stage round filter. Inside the basket I now fill with very loose and pre-puffed Poly wool (no packing). Then the outside of the basket is wrapped in its original blue thin sponge sock (no change). Lastly I got rid of those darn directional flow plastic butterfly inserts which are nothing more then a restrictor to increase outflow velocity but restricts flow, pulled it out with needle nose pliers (saved). Anyway I tried this on my last filter cleaning 3 weeks ago and the filter has had no noticeable rate of flow loss, almost on equal footing with the 350, and the flow rate or spill rate is heavy enough now in volume to create more agitation and or bubbles if positioned right then previously. So I love them now also. Since you have enough now be sure to PM me on any future Ebay steal deals you see for the Hot Mag, you even have my permission to bid on my behalf LOL. :grinyes:
 
hey CW if you have any of them polishing filters you dont use let me know i always need them - rod
 
I have 2 404's on my 180 and I like them. Pretty silent and work ok.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom