not done buy me but the guy who done the original comapison on the 2 filters
I should to be fair update this review now that I've had both filters running for over 2 years. It would be fair to say the following about the FX5's reliability and operation over that time .... its crap ! The Foam in the FX5 does NOT trap the really small particles that can build up and clog the filter baskets. In a real world situation with a well stocked tank of large fish the FX5 needs its BASKETS (not necessarily the foam) cleaned every 3-4 weeks to maintain anything like its flowrate in fact average flowrates for a operating FX5 drop to under 1000 liters per hours after 4 weeks without a clean. The problem seems to be with the design of the baskets being inside the foam which in fact does allow some bypass to occur. The question of reliability is also interesting. Out of the 6 FX5's I have had operating on tanks I've had no less then 4 fail at the pump level and out of those 4 I've had one replacement fail as well. I now only use one FX5 that is on a tank thats stand isn't high enough to take the ehiem. What seems to happen is that the pump just won't start .... nothing you do changes it. Discussions with the local distributor lead me to believe it is not a isolated issue. As for the Eheims well .... my 2080's have all gone too mainly because .... I've found something better ...the 2180 with inbuilt 500W heater. These are identical to the 2080 except they have a heater which is fantastic for keeping ugly heaters out of the tank and avoiding issues with heaters burning fish which can happen with fish such as rays and catfish. I must say that as for the 2080/2180 I've had absolutely no issues and maintenance periods are about twice as long as the Fluvals.
All up to update this review I'd now say the extra $ for the Eheim is money well spent as the FX5 just isn't of the quality to inspire confidence.
I should to be fair update this review now that I've had both filters running for over 2 years. It would be fair to say the following about the FX5's reliability and operation over that time .... its crap ! The Foam in the FX5 does NOT trap the really small particles that can build up and clog the filter baskets. In a real world situation with a well stocked tank of large fish the FX5 needs its BASKETS (not necessarily the foam) cleaned every 3-4 weeks to maintain anything like its flowrate in fact average flowrates for a operating FX5 drop to under 1000 liters per hours after 4 weeks without a clean. The problem seems to be with the design of the baskets being inside the foam which in fact does allow some bypass to occur. The question of reliability is also interesting. Out of the 6 FX5's I have had operating on tanks I've had no less then 4 fail at the pump level and out of those 4 I've had one replacement fail as well. I now only use one FX5 that is on a tank thats stand isn't high enough to take the ehiem. What seems to happen is that the pump just won't start .... nothing you do changes it. Discussions with the local distributor lead me to believe it is not a isolated issue. As for the Eheims well .... my 2080's have all gone too mainly because .... I've found something better ...the 2180 with inbuilt 500W heater. These are identical to the 2080 except they have a heater which is fantastic for keeping ugly heaters out of the tank and avoiding issues with heaters burning fish which can happen with fish such as rays and catfish. I must say that as for the 2080/2180 I've had absolutely no issues and maintenance periods are about twice as long as the Fluvals.
All up to update this review I'd now say the extra $ for the Eheim is money well spent as the FX5 just isn't of the quality to inspire confidence.
