Ive been offered either one for cheap. But i dont know which to choose. Any Pros or cons to either? The cansiter i choose will go on a 33g when i get it set up.
Fluval 404 or Filstar xp3
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Check out this website. It has reviews on different canister filters. It does not have the 404 but the 204 which is just a smaller model.
http://www.cloudytanks.com/canisters.htm
http://www.cloudytanks.com/canisters.htm
I have the XP and just love it.
Its extrememly flexible in its setup. Easy to prime. Super quiet.
Its extrememly flexible in its setup. Easy to prime. Super quiet.
I have 1 xp3, 1 fluval 404 and 3 eheim classics.
The Eheims are the most quiet.... are very reliable, and do a great job, but they're not as convenient.. and you didn't ask about them..
The XP3 is, to me.. far superior than the Fluval.. I'll list the reasons:
1 - The Hoses stink on the Fluval... they are ribbed, and between cleanings, gunk really builds up in these ribs. When you clean the filter with the quick release, it knocks all this stuff loose and when you start it back up, this gunk fills your tank. It's an ugly sight. I either have to clean the hoses(they are not as easy to install as an eheim or a Rena, they climp on and have rubber bindings... it's a nightmar).. or I sit there with mason jars catching the junk after each cleaning. What's the purpose of having a quick release and primer if you still have to service the hoses?
2 - Noisy.. compared to the XP3. I can hear it over my Eheims and XP3 when it's quiet and I'm in the room with the XP3s(the fluval is in the next room, around a corner) Still, this is considered quiet by some.. noise is relative.
3 - There is bypass... the way it's setup.. if you cover all your media baskets in saran wrap... you still get a steady flow into the tank. Imagine that.. if the media baskets are blocked.. you still get flow? and it doesn't have bypass? Try it.... it's an eye opener.
4 - No spray bar.. just a spray head.. no choice.
I will say that despite the above, and the apparent potential for bypass... it has done a great job keeping the tank water clear and the biological cycle going... However, I would choose the XP3 over it in a heartbeat... Why?
1 - Easy Setup, hoses are easy to attach and can be removed easily from the tank for cleaning without making an ordeal. Much like the eheim, but actually with more flexibility.
2 - Spray bar or spray head.. your choice!
4 - Quiet
5 - Easier to service...
6 - They are on sale at Big Als for $89.95 with free shipping.... or a price match at Petsmart for 104.99 and a $25 gift certificate/rebate.
I am even considering selling my Fluval.. and replacing it with an XP3 or Eheim.
The Eheims are the most quiet.... are very reliable, and do a great job, but they're not as convenient.. and you didn't ask about them..
The XP3 is, to me.. far superior than the Fluval.. I'll list the reasons:
1 - The Hoses stink on the Fluval... they are ribbed, and between cleanings, gunk really builds up in these ribs. When you clean the filter with the quick release, it knocks all this stuff loose and when you start it back up, this gunk fills your tank. It's an ugly sight. I either have to clean the hoses(they are not as easy to install as an eheim or a Rena, they climp on and have rubber bindings... it's a nightmar).. or I sit there with mason jars catching the junk after each cleaning. What's the purpose of having a quick release and primer if you still have to service the hoses?
2 - Noisy.. compared to the XP3. I can hear it over my Eheims and XP3 when it's quiet and I'm in the room with the XP3s(the fluval is in the next room, around a corner) Still, this is considered quiet by some.. noise is relative.
3 - There is bypass... the way it's setup.. if you cover all your media baskets in saran wrap... you still get a steady flow into the tank. Imagine that.. if the media baskets are blocked.. you still get flow? and it doesn't have bypass? Try it.... it's an eye opener.
4 - No spray bar.. just a spray head.. no choice.
I will say that despite the above, and the apparent potential for bypass... it has done a great job keeping the tank water clear and the biological cycle going... However, I would choose the XP3 over it in a heartbeat... Why?
1 - Easy Setup, hoses are easy to attach and can be removed easily from the tank for cleaning without making an ordeal. Much like the eheim, but actually with more flexibility.
2 - Spray bar or spray head.. your choice!
4 - Quiet
5 - Easier to service...
6 - They are on sale at Big Als for $89.95 with free shipping.... or a price match at Petsmart for 104.99 and a $25 gift certificate/rebate.
I am even considering selling my Fluval.. and replacing it with an XP3 or Eheim.