fluval external

[SirMinion]

if at all possible, would anyone with both types fill me in on the pros and cons??

sirminion and boxman, do you keep yours in the cabinet, or is it just really quiet??

The 204 is in a cabinet, but the 304 is not.

I agree with andywg, the fluvels work really well, except when trying to start the syphon again after cleaning.

But lots of vigorous pumping and swearing usually does the trick.

 

[scott67892002]

i agree with sir minion lots of pumping required.
my tip of the day
filling the canister up with tank water before putting the lid on and priming saves a lot of pumping time and less arm ache!!

 

[bunjiweb]

The great thing about eheims double tap in-line valve is that you can syphon the water to the end of the tubing and shut off the valve on both ends, intake and outflow. Fill up the canister with water as much as possible allowing for displacement by the powerhead then close it all up and open the valves. There will be lots of bubbles and then you can plug it in and away you go! The only thing to remember is to rock the canister backwards and forwards and from side to side to release all the air bubbles. It will then run silent!

Double Tap Valve...:

Thats IF you buy an Eheim

Ben

 

[smithrc]

The great thing about eheims double tap in-line valve is that you can syphon the water to the end of the tubing and shut off the valve on both ends, intake and outflow. Fill up the canister with water as much as possible allowing for displacement by the powerhead then close it all up and open the valves. There will be lots of bubbles and then you can plug it in and away you go! The only thing to remember is to rock the canister backwards and forwards and from side to side to release all the air bubbles. It will then run silent!

Double Tap Valve...:

Thats IF you buy an Eheim

Ben

my original 304 had the sprin loaded valves that shut the flow off - i added 2 in line taps and pumping in now minimal...

the new 404 i have now got on the 350l comes with build in taps and cuts the water dead leaving the hoses full of water so the syphon starts straight away.

the intake now comes with a 1 way valve in it to to aid starting the flow - 2-3 pumps and its off.

getting all the air out is a pain in the bum though... the 404 now has a slight rattle due to it air locking after it had started up (even after rocking it)

As Paul said the intake strainer is small and does get clogged quickly with plants. This has been a problem with the 304 in the planted 4ft and has already had to be cleaned off in the 350l (its been running a week)