My overstocked 55g used to run a penguin 350, ac110, and a rena xp3 for filtration. The penguin was an okay filter but noisy and had its problems. After looking at reviews and possible mods I decided to take the plunge and buy this cfs500.
Ordered it from aquadeals on ebay. Received it 3 days later in great shape. Got a defective valve but the seller took care of that and I should have a new one in the mail in a day or two. More on that in a sec or two.
The filter is well built for a chinese knock off filter. The sponge media is okay. I cant help but think something like the fx5 baskets would be more effective. The hoses are cheesy and got quickly replace with some 3/4 Marineland ones I got for 5 bucks from my LFS. The power cord and pump are beefy and there is a nice power switch built in. For servicing the pump can darn near empty the canister.
The pump is darn near silent.
As for previous issues the pump is now in the can. The power cord goes through the lid now. The o ring issue has been fixed on the lid.
The valves are poorly assembled. One of them came to me with a pinched oring which caused a few drops and hour. I took a good hard look at it. I figured out how to rebuild them and with a little vaseline it is possible but difficult.
So far id give it a 3.5 out of 5. Other than the chintsy fittings its a great mechanical filter. Id never use it as more than that, but thats what I got it for and it does its job well.
Ordered it from aquadeals on ebay. Received it 3 days later in great shape. Got a defective valve but the seller took care of that and I should have a new one in the mail in a day or two. More on that in a sec or two.
The filter is well built for a chinese knock off filter. The sponge media is okay. I cant help but think something like the fx5 baskets would be more effective. The hoses are cheesy and got quickly replace with some 3/4 Marineland ones I got for 5 bucks from my LFS. The power cord and pump are beefy and there is a nice power switch built in. For servicing the pump can darn near empty the canister.
The pump is darn near silent.
As for previous issues the pump is now in the can. The power cord goes through the lid now. The o ring issue has been fixed on the lid.
The valves are poorly assembled. One of them came to me with a pinched oring which caused a few drops and hour. I took a good hard look at it. I figured out how to rebuild them and with a little vaseline it is possible but difficult.
So far id give it a 3.5 out of 5. Other than the chintsy fittings its a great mechanical filter. Id never use it as more than that, but thats what I got it for and it does its job well.
