Fluval 3 plus

[StrontiumDog]

Last weeks water change went great filter was cleaned to, until yesterday when I noticed my filter was making quite a racket. The impellor (SP) is making one hell of a noise, and a low outflow, why I dont know. So this weeks water change I took the filter out again and cleaned it. Put it back in the tank still making a noise, and still a low flow rate.

So luck for me I have a second one which was suposed to be broke after a power cut we had here, tried the head in a bucket of water and it works .So now i've changed the power heads all is silent again............................but for how long?

Has anybody else here had problems with this filter make?

I have been looking into getting an external filter the Fluval 204 for £59.99, but i'm not so sure now as i'm having problem with the internal Fluval filters.

BTW I have a fluval 2 filter I have had for about 9 years and never had a problem with it

 

[smithrc]

we have fluvals in one form or another on all out tanks... internals and externals - never had a problem

as a side note - you really shouldnt be doing water changes and filters cleans at the same time - stager it if you can

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

I have both a fluval 2 plus and a 4 plus, i have found that they clog really easily if i don't remove the impellor and clean it with a cotton bud every month or so. The smaller on is worse than the large.

Emma

 

[Bloo]

You are very right there Emma - the impellor needs to be taken out the inside has to be cleaned very well with a shower head and / or cotton bud.

When putting the filter back in the tank, make sure there are no air bubble trapped anywhere, so dunk and turn the filter a few times before hooking it up.

 

[boxman]

A 204 is a great buy, I have one and owned a 404 which strangely had similar problems to your internal (only had it running for 1 month) - went through two 404's!!!!!

I now have a Rena Plus 2 canister and I really think the build quality is alot better and you get things like a spraybar included and a nice touch with the outflow filling rather than the manual pumping lever on the fluvals. With the price difference in mind the fluval canisters are better value for money.

Just to say, I think fluvals are great, don't get me wrong, I obviously got a couple from a bad batch - my 204 I've had for 5 months and is so quiet.

 

[CFC]

Do yourself a favour SD and buy a Eheim classic external filter, ive had fluvals (still have one old style 303 running) and to be honest they are pants compared to the eheim. You can pick up a classic 2215 for around £60 if you shop around so they wont break the bank and comparing them to fluvals is like comparing a Fiat to a BMW.

 

[StrontiumDog]

Thanks for the input all,

How noisy are these external filters? I wouldn't want my misses to complain she can't hear Emmerdale, Coronation Street

CFC I think the 2215 would be a big overkill for my tank (129lt), I would get away with the 2212 but would probly go with the 2213 just to be on the safe side.

Having said that, I can only recall one shop selling these in my area. Any online places you can recomend CFC.