Changing From A Fluval 305 To 405...

[TetraUk]

Hi Guys,

My 4ft is currently filtered by a Fluval 305, purchased it second hand a few years ago and apart from buying a new seal for it never had any problems... (Touch wood) but have seen a second hand 405 for sale locally and am thinking the bigger filter would be even better.

Any idea if the pipping is the same, wondering if I could just transfer the media etc over and use the same pipping from the 305? Anyone know if they are the same or if it's even worth upgrading to the larger 405 filter?


Many thanks,

TetraUk

 

[Defiance]

Hiya,

Not had either so can't help there

As for the pipes, i would check online stores and see if they are the same parts, most stores have pipework etc in maybe a spares section

Hopefully someone will happen along with an answer

If i find out i'll post back a yes/no

TTFN

Tony

Google's great at imes lol

The 305/405 ribbed tubes the same

As i thought it's the larger diameter fx5 that differs

1st link i checked, i don't endorse it etc, for me just buy the cheapest you can online, after all it's only made by hagen so only difference is the profit margin

I'd forget my head at times if it wasn't attached .............

Yes i would alwayds go larger sized, the bigger the better filter-wise, if the media is not an exact swap (again google etc) just use all your mature stuff any which way you can and add if needed more fresh media, it doesn't have to look like a WI's sponge cake that's won 1st place, as long as them nice micro geezers are homed nice they'll carry on working

PS: for future, instead of me paying rediculous money for my fx5 media etc, i just buy sheets of media i need and cut n use that, way way cheaper than oem costs lol

Tony

 

[minnnt]

Yeah they use the same pipework as far as i am aware. The FX5 uses the bigger pipes.

 

[doresy]

As far as is it worth the upgrade then ask yourself......

Does my current 305 cope with my fish stock and maintain constant zero readings for ammonia and nitrite.

My current 305 is running without a problem so can I trust a different second hand filter

I run a 4 foot (240 ltr) on a 305, fully stocked and have been known to over feed a bit and wouldn't dream of changing it unless a problem occurred

 

[Defiance]

Or think of two filters as i do on large tanks

Just moved my two externals from a six footer to an eight footer

My allpondsolutions one i fulled cleaned out, added new floss layers, noodles/bio balls were crudded with snails and silt matter

Now she's running back at full flow

The fx5 i will strip and clean in six months time, no doubt the floss will be worse for wear etc

So in my case i can keep the throughput good and not have to worry about a cycle crash as i can clean/refurb if needed each filter in turn

I did standard water tests while running on the only mature media filter (fx5) no different from running both with mature media, i was pretty sure the fx5 could cope on its own and the testing proved this

After all it's down to how you feel

TTFN

Tony

 

[doresy]

at the end of the day whether you have one filter or 6 they will only produce enough bacteria between them to cope with the fish stock you have so if the filter you are running now copes comfortably then why waste the electricity?