At the time of writing I have spent the best part of the last month researching which filter to buy for a new aquarium I am setting up. Whilst there are literally hundreds of models available one of the most important factors I was searching for was an external canister filter.
The reason is really quite simple. As the filtration unit is located outside the main body of the fish tank – often being placed into a cupboard or behind the aquarium stand – maintenance is incredibly simple. In contrast to internal filters like undergravel filters you don’t need to rearrange your aquarium – or even get your hands wet – in order to keep your filter running properly and thus keeping your fish as healthy as possible.
Of course ease-of-maintenance aside there are also other benefits to canister filters such as the way they are typically almost silent to run so you avoid the annoying buzz created by some other types of filter and the large size of the canister also makes them very efficient at filtration so you will often see a noticeable difference in water quality between using an external filter and an internal.
After some initial research into the canister filter market to see what is currently the “best of breed” model I finally decided to settle on the Fluval 405 canister filter for a number of reasons.
Easy Installation
Solid Design
Canister filters can get damaged by a variety of different physical activities – from being dropped during maintenance to the constant flow of warm water through them – which in many current models can lead to a degree of warping over time.
This isn’t so much an aesthetic problem as much as it is a practical one because this slight change to the shape of the canister can result in leaks – and I for one certainly don’t want to get home from work one day to find dirty aquarium water pouring onto my carpet!
The Fluval 405 canister filter is designed to be sturdy with glass fibers incorporated to keep both the body of the canister strong and to reinforce the various clamps and fittings that holds the filter together and this degree of insurance really shouldn’t be overstated.
Intake Strainer
As the dirty fish tank water first enters the filter it passes initially through what Fluval call their “intake strainer” – the purpose of which is to act as a coarse filter to immediately remove larger particles from the water.
By removing these large particles before the main filtering process this means your filter is far less likely to become blocked which not only will keep your aquarium water cleaner but should also help to prolong the life of your filter making it a better long-term investment.
Multiple Filters Bays
Once the initial straining of the water has occured it is then free to make it’s way into the main body of the canister which is split into four distinct compartments. Whilst an internal filter may only offer mechical filtering via a sponge a canister filter offers you far more options.
As standard within the box you will find two foam pads for physical filtering, a pouch of carbon for chemical filtering and four glass Biomax rings which are designed to support significant cultures of helpful bacteria.
This means as your fish tank water passes through the canister it is essentially getting cleaned three times – not just having the detritus such as excess fish food and faeces removed by a physical process but just as importantly it is also having the chemical balance of your water restored for a healthier aquarium.
Even better, you can change around the various filter compartments to suit your own needs unlike many filters. So, for example, if you test your water chemistry and find this is perfectly fine though the filtered water still has some fine particulate material in it, you could swap the carbon pouch for another foam pad to better remove those elements.
In short, your water will be assured of the best cleaning possible thanks to the flexibility of the system that Fluval employ and full guidelines can be found in the instruction manual included with the pump.
Instant Prime
For a canister filter to work properly it need to be full of water before you turn it on and this in the past created additional work. You needed to siphon water into the tubes and the canister before starting it up and this is one manjor drawback of many other canister filters on the market.
However in the 405 canister filter Fluval have come up with an innovative solution which they call “Instant Prime”. Quite simply this system means you can just turn on the filter as soon as it is set up without having to prime it with water and it will work effortlessly from the moment you flick the switch.
Aquastop Valves
When it comes to changing the filter media for regular cleaning one potential problem with canister filters is having to undo all the tubing which can be fiddly and potentially messy as these will be filled with water which may end up all over you or your floor.
To deal with this issue the Fluval 405 canister filter has what is known as “aquastop” valves which will immediately close off the water flow in and out of the filter before you open it and allow you to unclip the tubing without running the risk of spillage.
You are then free to clean your filter, clip the tubing back on, fire up the “instant prime” feature and you’re back to business.
By the way some users claim they have to clean their 405 only half as much as other canister filters so this means less work for you!
What Size Aquarium Is The Fluval 405 Canister Filter Meant For?
It is difficult to “overfilter” water so whilst the Fluval 405 is designed for aquariums up to 100 gallons (400 liters) it can still be used safely and successfully in smaller tanks without any risk to your fish.
How Much You Should Expect To Pay
It seems for such a popular filter that there are a massive range of prices out there. The current list price is $298.94 and while some retailers try to undercut this list price by a degree some will even add a little additional profit ontop and attempt to charge over $300 for the Fluval 405. So far the best deal I have found is at Amazon where it is currently for sale for less than $150.
What Others Are Saying
This is currently one of the highest-rated filters on Amazon scoring an impressive four out of five stars after a large number of user reviews.
A few comments I found there included:
- “It does it’s job better than any filter I’ve seen”
- “Very easy to set up – powerful but quiet”
- “Easy to clean and simple to use right out of the box”
- “I would recommend it to anyone”
Any Complaints?
The only real complaint mentioned from time to time is that it can be a struggle to get the lid off the canister and a few users have had to resort to using a screwdriver or similar implement to get inside. However as just as many people have also noted they would rather it was a very tight fit like this to significantly reduce the chance of any water managing to leak out through loose seals.
Where Can You Buy A Fluval 405 Canister Filter?
Whilst the Fluval 405 is a popular, and hence commonly-sold, filter probably the best place to buy it at present is from Amazon. They have the cheapest price I have seen and also offer free shipping which is a bonus. Click here to visit Amazon now.
Where Can You Read More Reviews Of The Fluval 405 Filter?
The best place to read reviews from people who actually use this filter is on Amazon. Click here to read more reviews.
