Aquatop CF-500UV? 125 gallon filteration

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Jack Dempsey
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Jun 5, 2008
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Just got mines today and I am currently waiting on some bio-media to get it running. I have heard very good things about it but I just wanted to hear people's comments on them. I wanted to get an fx5 but this was just a much cheaper alternative even if it isn't as good. I currently have a aquaclear 110, emperor 400, and a rena xp2 on my 125. I was thinking of getting rid of the emperor all together and maybe using the aquatop as a bio filter mostly with a tray of mechanical media on the bottom and then maybe buying another aquaclear 110 to replace my rena xp2.

What do you guys think?
 
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I see more and more peopel are starting to use them. I also believe you get what you pay for. That is why the Eheims have such a great ruptation. Good luck with the filter.
 
^I guess but not everyone can afford eheim's lol.

Just hooked it up. Filled 3 of the 4 trays with pond matrix and the last tray with mech filter media. It seems to be doing a great job but I guess time will tell.
 
I used a Jebao filter once and within the year it leaked. So I stick with Eheim,Fluval,aqua clears. I save money to buy these and they are worth it.
 
Ajno said:
I used a Jebao filter once and within the year it leaked. So I stick with Eheim,Fluval,aqua clears. I save money to buy these and they are worth it.
Click to expand...

Are you saying because it's not a popular brand there will be problems? Because my rena filstar has leaked several times. And I have had to replace the motor once and impeller twice on my aquaclear 110 but I continue to use both filters because they do their job very well.
 
I just added the cf500uv to my 125. I already have an FX5 on it but my CA cichlids are messy. I have the stock sponges and bio max/matrix in the FX5. The Aquatop has filter cloth only and the UV. In 25 hours, the tank went from a mild haze to 95% clear. So far I'm inpressed.

I don't use the spray bar and instead utilize the current created by the output. This also helps the FX5 be more efficient. One pleasant surprise, the Aquatop CF-500UV fits the Rena SmartHeater 300 I already have. Now my intake pipe is a heater.

You're not getting a $300 filter for $120. What you get is a very nice $120 filter. I hope that makes sense. As nice as it is, You can tell it's not built with the same quality materials as the Fluval I have.
 
for a 125 i would just get a small sump & use a internal/sponge filter...

canisters = waste of money

people always think the more money you spend the better quality it will be... i mean in many situations its true but as for filtration i doubt other wise... internal filter as i personally found out are really impressive compared to their already really cheap price tag and does a rlly good job of polishing the water. and sponge filters are also really good and can even be used as a stand alone filtration systems in times where you dont have to worry about huge bio loads... i mean give em a try you wont be disappointed most likely lol as to why they're so "under-rated" in the aquarium filtration world i dont know why but my guess its because its too cheap to be true/good... lol XD

ps: not to mention internal filters are powerheads so you dont have to go out and buy another powerhead... lol & it can aerate your tank! 3 birds with 1 stone, how awesome is that? lol
 
rolandk10 said:
I just added the cf500uv to my 125. I already have an FX5 on it but my CA cichlids are messy. I have the stock sponges and bio max/matrix in the FX5. The Aquatop has filter cloth only and the UV. In 25 hours, the tank went from a mild haze to 95% clear. So far I'm inpressed.

I don't use the spray bar and instead utilize the current created by the output. This also helps the FX5 be more efficient. One pleasant surprise, the Aquatop CF-500UV fits the Rena SmartHeater 300 I already have. Now my intake pipe is a heater.

You're not getting a $300 filter for $120. What you get is a very nice $120 filter. I hope that makes sense. As nice as it is, You can tell it's not built with the same quality materials as the Fluval I have.
Click to expand...

Yea I am not saying this is better or equal to the fx5 but I was just saying it's a great cheaper alternative. It's still a solid filter. I have also noticed parts are interchangeable with rena parts which is great because I have spare rena parts. I am glad the filter is doing well for you. I also have centrals so it looks like the filter will work just fine.

muffywrx said:
I have this filter. Love my fx5 much more, but this is a great filter for its price. For sure.
Click to expand...

Do you have experience with these?. Yea again not saying this is on the same level as fx5's. It is certainly a better alternative than the rena xp3 I was looking at after the fx5.

tomojsg said:
for a 125 i would just get a small sump & use a internal/sponge filter...

canisters = waste of money

people always think the more money you spend the better quality it will be... i mean in many situations its true but as for filtration i doubt other wise... internal filter as i personally found out are really impressive compared to their already really cheap price tag and does a rlly good job of polishing the water. and sponge filters are also really good and can even be used as a stand alone filtration systems in times where you dont have to worry about huge bio loads... i mean give em a try you wont be disappointed most likely lol as to why they're so "under-rated" in the aquarium filtration world i dont know why but my guess its because its too cheap to be true/good... lol XD

ps: not to mention internal filters are powerheads so you dont have to go out and buy another powerhead... lol & it can aerate your tank! 3 birds with 1 stone, how awesome is that? lol
Click to expand...

I am not the most experienced when it comes to filtration so you are going to have to elaborate why canisters are so bad. I am getting sponge pre-filters for my filter intakes so we will see how that goes.
 
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