The New Fluvals.

[echoofformless]

Sure, there are lots of crazy features - but am I just some sort of grumbly old man when I start thinking such things are utter rubbish? It's an interesting thing to consider that over my many years in this hobby I've grown increasingly minimalist and have found myself wanting equipment that simplify rather than increase the complexity of the systems.

Do we really need fancy LED displays that monitor the heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen concentration and brain activity of an aquarium filter? To me it's always been insanely simple - you maintain the filter as often as it needs to be maintained. Otherwise it pretty much works just fine.

How can one justify spending $440 USD on something that won't do anything more than a $100 model? Do we really need a GPS and an MP3 player on an aquarium filter? Jeez for that kind of money I almost expect it to perform automated water changes. I like the top loading media thing - but that's about all.

So can anyone enlighten me as to how they can justify spending that kind of money simply because of some completely unnecessary features? I hate feeling like an old fussabout, but sometimes it's just something that happens...

 

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

Well its like why buy a rolls royce when a honda will get you there and back....it's because you want the latest features never mind if you don't have a need for all the features, and you can afford it and want it. So why not buy it and stimulate the economy You don't need to justify anything to anyone if your happy with it then thats all that really matters.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

I think both your points are valid however, usually when you buy something that is extravagant it normally give more then just status which is the least valuable in my book. Usually you get creature comforts or ease of use or automation. But I don't really see it in the owners manual, it takes about as much fuss and effort too make this thing work and keeping working then a $79 Magnum 350, more in fact.

I mean if your going to give me low maintenance at $500 (considering I can buy the most automated cloths washer with 18 cycles for that much), give me a filter that informs me that It has done its monthly back flush cleaning and that the waste has been dehydrated and deposited and compressed in the waste chamber and will not need to be emptied for another 6 months. All while continuously reading out temp, PH, GH, KH, N02, N03, NH3/4, P04, O2, and CO2. Now that I would buy today.

 

[67chevelle]

I agree with Rod and Gunner.I would like to have seen them add a heater and UV for the price too.
I wouldn't mind having one,but cannot justify the price for the GPH they offer.

 

[echoofformless]

I don't really see the Rolls Royce/Honda analogy. Luxury and comfort aren't exactly the same thing as whizbang whistles and bells. A Rolls isn't technologically advanced at all - it's more focused on hand carved wood for a dashboard.
Plus a Honda is infinitely more reliable than a Rolls.

I'd compare it more to the tech but unnecessary things they put in some cars - like gadgets that tell you your average fuel economy, your average speed, the inside and outside temperature, etc. All stuff you can live without for sure. Nice if you want to have the fun of playing with the gadgetry and maybe that justifies the price - but in truth it doesn't at all enhance the actual performance of the vehicle. It just lets you know things that you don't really need to know but may enjoy knowing.

I've gotten through life just fine without having a constant flow rate update. i can see the water temperature just fine on my two dollar floating thermometer. My water parameters stay perfectly steady all of the time due to my tanks being well established. Plus my far less expensive Eheim Classics have far better flow rates and perhaps less bypass. Not to mention the proven reliability. These new Fluvals seem like an epic of potential malfunctions.

I just think that other than the supposed convenience of the easy media exchange (remains to be seen just how functional that is) this item is nothing more than a toy for wealthier people to buy just to show off. What's next, are they going to offer an iPhone application that lets you stay informed of your flow rate while you're on the road? "Oh, sorry guys, I gotta get home. I just got an alert that I need to change my media..."

Seriously - between $440 and $480 USD for filters that can't even beat a little over 250gph.

Okay I'm ranting. It's the anti-materialist in me. Sorry!

Do I not see a future for microprocessors in filters?

I do. But more in relation to adjusting performance. Starting with built in heat that you can program so that it gets slightly cooler at night. And flow rates that can be adjusted too - say if you're running CO2 and you want the flow rate to go down in the daylight cycle - something integrated with your lights and CO2 regulator that would deliver the perfect combination of this and that. Even be connected to pH sensors so that pH crashes are impossible.

But being told when to change the media? Please. If I can't figure that out on my own, I shouldn't be keeping fish!

 

[247Plants]

Its a good thing some people believe in the advancement of this hobby.

Remember, what is expensive today, is cheap tomorrow.

 

[The Zigman]

I think that sometimes the main function of a device is overshadowed by the bells and whistles that come along with it. Sure it looks nice, and has a 42" plasma display, but does it clean the water?

Sure your foriegn car looks great, bur when will you be getting it out of the shop?
and ...

Man that iPhone is cool, but the phone quality is crap.

Sometimes the property that needs the improvement of the product is the main function of it, not that its an ugly brown color. We All buy the stealth heaters because they work and are rock solid. no bells and whistles on them but we all love em. Why?? Because they do what they are designed to do, and do it better than the others.


This thread is not intended to start an argument over iphones, and aquarium heaters.. Just to make a point, that you can polish a turd all you want but in the end, its still a turd.

 

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

alot of people like turd's i dont see what there is to rant about on this subject if you want one buy it if you dont then dont its just that simple. the rolls/honda analogy is if you want bling bling $$$$$ appeal you get the rolls if you arent into bling bling you get the honda it's all about eye candy my friend so with the fluval G you get bling bling eye candy or get a Mag 350 for a tried and true filter for hundreds less if plain and simple is more to your liking. one's own eye candy doesnt have to appeal to everyone thats why there is so much to choose from out there when it comes to aquarium equiptment. Our economy is fueled by materialist consumers some of us just prefer to consume on a cheaper scale I am one of the latter.

 

[Rallysman]

I make my own filters.
Companies sell things to make money. Use their ideas and the data collected from the veterans in this hobby and you'll get the most bang for your buck.

 

[sushiray]

yep I agree with everyone! how's that for a happy medium!

but being on limited income & high home/family expenses, if I can save where I can to support my hobby, I need to (otherwise wife will throw me & my fishys out!).

I can't see paying so much for a product where there are much less expensive solutions (maybe you need to do more maintenance but hey I need to save $). I prefer the AC's espec. the AC110 (tho not perfect as I have posted a gripe about them) at $80, wow, instead of $200-500 I can buy more discus!!!!!!

NOT! I will get thrown out for sure. but if I were in a better fin'l situation, I would buy AC's the $ I save I would buy more tanks more discus more food more meds more whatever than spend that much on a filter! oh yes, I have a cheapo thermometer, not those digitals or more expensive types either.

but I would add - what about the hi-fallutin fandangled lighting systems that cost the same range $200-$500???!!!

I bought a compact dual satellite 36" for $79 off ebay. gives me enough if not more than enough for my 72gal BF. hey! I saves $300! now I can go buy more discus!

NOT!