ehim vs fluval

Bought a Fluval last year and was horrified how noisy it was. Those horrible Fluval pipes are a complete pain in the **** , loads of little elastic band things and I bet they are hard to clean. The self prime pump is also complete and utter pants. After a big arguement in the LFS I managed to get a refund.

So for me I wont stray from Eheim again. I realise that they are expensive in the USA (about the only thing you pay more for), so the second best must be Rena although I haven't tried one personally.
 
In my experience both work great. The eheim is a bit better because of the added flow rate and some features that fluval does not offer. However, bang for the buck, you can't go wrong with a fluval. I have two 304's on my aquarium and they are quiet as can be. Not one has given me issues and they are pretty cheap. Again, if you can afford a good eheim, get it! but if you want to save a few bucks go with the fluval, you won't be disappointed.
As far as the hosing and mounting brackets... go to a LFS and have them order you a hang on back attachment along with 5/8 hose (for the 304) and you can easily replace them. Not a big deal. The priming is a pain in the butt but so what... your not priming it every day.
 
So between the Fluval FX5 and the Eheim 2229 - which is truly the better unit? Do all of the complaints here about Fluval align with the FX5? Or were those problems with other models?
 
:cool: Haven't tried the FX5 yet but I've got my eye on it. The Fluval 404 has worked well for me (also the 304). Respectable flow rate, easy maint. & media flexibility. Priming has never been a problem but the stock 'ribbed' hoses can be a pain sometimes. I replaced mine-problem solved!! Eheim is by most accounts 'The Top Dog' in canister filtration although I hear this new Fluval might be closing in fast. If 'money is no object' I guess Eheim is THE choice but if your counting cost like me, the '404' will do just fine. JMHO Good Luck
 
I would consider the following three: Fluval FX5, Eheim 2260, Eheim Pro 3e....or a good wet-dry.
 
Here is my take on the Fluval FX5 which will probably answer a lot of the previous questions.

1. Cost - You can get the FX5 for about $220 shipped on ebay. Add another 10 bucks for media and you will save at least $100 bucks versus the Eheim Pro 3 which I also looked at it. So Cost is cheaper with FX5.

2. Regarding the question about the media tray in the FX5 - There are 3 trays which are circular and are about 6?? inches in diameter which i think is very large. I can get an exact measurement if someone wants it absolutely.

3. Set up was very simple took me less than half hour from out of box to running.

4. Maintenance is easy with the valves on the hosing so that you can leave hoses in place and just wash the canister. Canister self purges every 24 hours which is awesome.

5. Very silent, quiet. I used the FX5 to replace 1 404 and 2 emperor 400 and the filtration is excellent
 
Philgo said:
Bought a Fluval last year and was horrified how noisy it was. Those horrible Fluval pipes are a complete pain in the **** , loads of little elastic band things and I bet they are hard to clean. The self prime pump is also complete and utter pants. After a big arguement in the LFS I managed to get a refund.QUOTE=Philgo]


The FX5 is completely silent that i noticed. My complaint about the pipes is that they give you enough to just do your tank; I wish they gave a little extra. The self prime on the FX5 is quick and painless. First 2 minutes primes with water. Next 2 minutes it purges the air out of the entire system. Then it starts running. It self purges the air out of the system every 24 hours which is cool.
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is300zx said:
Eheims are the best when you consider functionality, efficiency, quality, and reliability. Their downfall is cost. Fluvals will do the same job for less cost but will suffer slightly in quality and efficiency and sometimes functionality and reliability.


Here's a side by side comparison of the FX5 and PRO 3. http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7080&highlight=fx5
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I have to say that this is one of the best, non-bias overviews of a product for the hobby that I have read yet! Thank you so very much for posting this!

I wonder in a long haul survey just who would fair best?
 
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