Help With Fults 2 Look Out 4 On Fluval 305 External Filter

[wullie187]

hi all im going 2buy a second hand Fluval 305 external filter £20 & just wondering if there is any faults with them that i have 2look out 4 so if there is any buddy out there with any tips or advise on this matter can u plz lave a replay thanx

 

[Davo86]

Fluval externals are notorious for leaking so make sure that the seals are in good condition,
IMO if its a fairly old filter then you would be better off looking elsewhere

 

[three-fingers]

For £20, to me it would seem silly not too.

Just replace any parts that could have perished, certainly the o-ring and the starting pump (will cost under £10 for both). Remember to lubricate the o-ring every now and then.

Obviously clean the impeller and make sure there's nothing wrong with it like cracks.

I'm skeptical about people who say Fluvals are notorious for leaking. 04 range had a very bad run years ago at the start, but otherwise the 05 range seem to be just as reliable as similarly priced filters tbh. All brands will have an odd bad filter/run every now and then and people can get really annoyed with that brand when they get one. I'd speculate more popular filter/been around for longer = more people own them = increased chance of someone complaining about a bad one. Wherever you go or whoever you ask people will have different experiences. Read around here and you'll find some people really bitter towards Fluval, most people have no problems whatsoever.

Look around and you will also find threads about issues with other manufacturers like Tetra, but loads others who have no trouble whatsoever with them.

Worst case scenario if the filter is really old and abused you may have to an aquastop valve and/or impeller as well.
It would be the same with any other brand second hand filter.
If you paid more for a used Eheim chances of its conditions being good would be better, but you'd still need to replace perishables for good measure.
£20 is excellent for a 305, mine was £60 new and it's been fantastic.

 

[wullie187]

thanx 4 the replays im just going 2 get if its in good condison its only a year old & has reseat for it & read sum wair online that thay come with a 3y garante so cant go wrong at that

 

[treefella83]

been using fluval externals for 14 years and never had one leak on me and all were bought second hand (tight budget).
when buying second hand filters its a good idea to give it a service and get new media regardless of condition.

 

[wullie187]

i got the 305 & its a grate pump the water`s spot on the thing is i was useing the fluval 4 internal & im just wondering if the power of the water flow out of the 305 is poorer than the fluval4 is this rite or is there a prob

 

[three-fingers]

The flow from the Fluval 4+ and the Fluval 305 are the same, but the 305 has a bigger outlet nozzles so it will feel like less.

 

[wullie187]

The flow from the Fluval 4+ and the Fluval 305 are the same, but the 305 has a bigger outlet nozzles so it will feel like less.

thanx