so i needed new filters for my 50 gallon (was running AC 150 and 300, but they both seemed to die .. old etc) I was going to trade them in at pet city where i can get 40% off new ones. that same day in my local classifieds i noticed a fluval 404 for $100 (canadian). i talked him down to $80 as this isn't much more then the AC's would cost me .. is this a good deal? no media included but he's throwin in a bit of charcoal and 4 pads he has already used for a bit if i want them temporarily. good deal or no?
Fluval 404 question
- Thread starter Acura_RSX
- Start date
The cost in canister filters is typically the head unit and the media. Seeing as this has no media, I think at $80 canadian you're getting a bit of the shaft end in this deal.
I would try to get him lower, although the 404 and new 405's definitely aren't cheap. So if it is in great shape $80 (around $73 American ?) isn't a horrible price for one. I have a 404 and it is a good filter and will be over filtration for your 50 gallon....over filtration is a good thing 
They are great filters. I would clean it though and not reuse someone else's media god only knows what diseases their tank may have. Whether its worth that amount is entirely up to you I would go for it if you have to go to ebay for a better price.
yeah .. well he bleach cleaned it yesterday or the day before and has it back running in his tank to show me before he sells it to me. it's a saltwater tank originally but i think he has it running to a freshwater seeing as how thats what im using it for. but incase it's back up the the saltwater what should i do when i get it home to clean it before i hook it up to my fw? and as for ebay .. i can't find a reasonably priced one. i live in NL canada .. so almost nothing off ebay comes from anywhere close to me (highh shipping) anyways i'm going to check it out today and most likely buy it (im going to completely clean out the media and cycle my tank for a while until i can afford some new media .. last two things .. what things should i look at and look out for when i check out the canister? also what media's does everyone recomend i use (add prices so i can get an idea) right now it will just be 4 pads .. charcoal in nylons and some crushed coral in other nylons. (will be snakeheads in the tank .. most likely bleheri)
If the canister has been run in a saltwater tank....I would scrub scrub and scrub some more. Just don't use any soap
One thing to check with the 404 is to make sure it doesn't make too much noise when it is running. Also, look to see what kind of flow it is putting out. It should be coming out pretty good.
I would run some bio glass (rings) in all of the remaining trays ($13.99 for 1 liter from dr.foster and smilth)
One thing to check with the 404 is to make sure it doesn't make too much noise when it is running. Also, look to see what kind of flow it is putting out. It should be coming out pretty good.
I would run some bio glass (rings) in all of the remaining trays ($13.99 for 1 liter from dr.foster and smilth)
IF bio is too expensive you can smash lava rock and put it in a filter bag. Also I would just get the sponges new and put in some filter floss and fill the rest up with bio material or lava rock for cheap. Mine runs the sponges then the pre filter then floss then two trays of bio max. For me thats ideal.
shelbyzman;3162840; said:If the canister has been run in a saltwater tank....I would scrub scrub and scrub some more. Just don't use any soap
One thing to check with the 404 is to make sure it doesn't make too much noise when it is running. Also, look to see what kind of flow it is putting out. It should be coming out pretty good.
I would run some bio glass (rings) in all of the remaining trays ($13.99 for 1 liter from dr.foster and smilth)
sounds good. how loud should it generally be? i know thats hard to explain but if anyone can take a stab at it? and any other opinions on media? for your suggestion how many litres would i need?