Fluval 404 :(

[clintyiu]

I have both fluval types: a 403 and a 304. Both run very well and they are pretty quiet. I had the 403 for 6 years and the 304 for 2. I just find the media containers hard to take apart with they are slimey and slippery. You can make them easier to prime by filling the container to the top of the tubes in your laundry tub.

The new 304 is much better and primes very easily (for me). Cleaning is a cinch too. But they should get rid of the cheap corrugated tubing. The suction cups are not strong enough to keep the tubes in place. The old swivel fittings are much better because they just hang off the glass.

You can get a new fluval 404 for about $160.00 btw from a LFS on Commercial drive.

I had a Magnum too and it's noisey. The impeller can jam if it accidentally sucks in some gravel and the magnets on mine started to lose grip. Maybe the new models are better.

I heard a lot of raves about Eheim's. The problem is Big Al's being their only local vendor and I do not support that company. Eheims are expensive to start with and BA makes them even more unaffordable.

jm2c
clint