Fluval canister feelings

[vsiege]

I was thinking about getting a canister filter for my 37 gallon seahorse setup. After reviewing a bunch (have never owned one), I came across the Fluval 06 External Canister Filters series. I was wondering if anyone out there had strong feelings for or against one. I plan on putting a chiller on the return as well.

I hear you want one rated 50 - 100% larger than your setup. Currently my Marineland 200 Bio-Wheel moves 200gph. The Model Hagen Fluval 206 moves about that. I was thinking going one or two levels up. Maybe you have some experience with that?

 

[rjcranor]

I've never had sea horses, but I have only used a fluval 405 filter on my 50 gallon breeder tank.

 

[Seahorse NJRC]

I have the Fluval 205 on my 30 gallon seahorse tank and it does a good job. I also have a 305 on my 55 reef and it does a decent job. I would still recommend a good skimmer.

 

[fishgate]

Don't seahorses need really low flow? Fluval's design is one return with a traditional single output. Eheim canisters have the spraybar output design that helps to diffuse the force of the return water. You could always build something like that for the Fluval if you don't want to get an eheim.

 

[vsiege]

I've never had sea horses, but I have only used a fluval 405 filter on my 50 gallon breeder tank.

Do you like it?

I have the Fluval 205 on my 30 gallon seahorse tank and it does a good job. I also have a 305 on my 55 reef and it does a decent job. I would still recommend a good skimmer.

Thanks. I have a Reef Octopus BH-1000 skimmer (totally overrated 37 gallon).

Don't seahorses need really low flow? Fluval's design is one return with a traditional single output. Eheim canisters have the spraybar output design that helps to diffuse the force of the return water. You could always build something like that for the Fluval if you don't want to get an eheim.

Always a topic of opinions. Through my observations, I've personally observed them 'play' or 'ride' the waves on a daily basis behind the return flow of the Marineland Penguin 200. It's a really cool site to see (makes me want to miss work and just watch them). I'm not against getting an Eheim, I just happened upon the Fluval 06 series. I love the idea of the diffuser too. Which Eheim?

I was thinking the 306, as I'm going to hook up a chiller. Should I go bigger?
Specs on Fluvals:
Feature Fluval 106 Fluval 206 Fluval 306 Fluval 406
Pump Power 10W 10W 16W 23W
Flow Rate 145 gph 206 gph 303 gph 383 gph
Baskets 2 3 3 (Divided) 4 (Divided)
Aquarium
Size (up to) 25 gallons 40 gallons 70 gallons 100 gallons

 

[SKurj]

You can get a spraybar fitting for the Fluval, check online I ordered one recently for one of my FW tanks. (55g Lake Tang community with a 405)

For 37g the 306 is probably fine, I run 2 405's one a 46g and the other a 55g (though both FW)

 

[fishgate]

I have the 105, 305, 404 and FX5. Any one of them would be fine for flow and filtering. But the 306 and larger has the bigger baskets for media. I'd probably go with the 306.

I used the 105 just as a media reactor and it worked well in that capacity. I took out the sponges and the sponge holder and put the media in that compartment and then left the other baskets in but empty.

 

[rjcranor]

Yes I like my 405 filter it has 4 chambers for different media, you can adjust the flow . Easy to clean, just have to make sure lid is secure. I had mine leak.

 

[vsiege]

I'd love to know if the Fluval 406 has an adjustable flow. I like the idea of having 4 trays but probably don't need the flow to be 383 gph. If I can have the trays but keep the flow down, that would be great. Does anyone know if this can be adjusted like the 405?

How often do you clean your canister filter? People have warned me that they are nitrate factories?

 

[Seahorse NJRC]

The 406 has adjustable flow. I do maintenance on my canister every 2 weeks. I don't mess with all the media at once.

 

[vsiege]

Every two weeks. Good to know. Vinegar water?

I just called them up and asked about the adjustable rate. This is what I was told:

Lift the aqua stop up (no more than 50% up).


The flow rate given is 383 but when the media is in they say that it goes down to 245. This is without adjusting the flow rate. So if I currently have the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel 200 which is 200 gph, then put the 406 on..... I won't have to worry about the flow getting out of control.....unless I have this wrong.

 

[vsiege]

Does anyone see the 406, given the info in my last post, too much flow for a 37gallon?