Store or E-Bay

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Dr_Shakalu

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Mar 28, 2007
1,079
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68
San Francisco
Hey everyone. Well, I decided to get the FX5. My question is, a lot of people have bought them new on e-bay for about $200 + about $28 shipping for a total of around $228. However, there's a fish store that sells it for $259 plus tax. I'm thinking of buying it from the store because even though it's more expensive, I won't have to deal with shipping problems, broken parts from someone far away and return problems. What do you guys and gals think? Also, I've heard of people using scrubbies, bio-balls and other things for filtration. Does that mean I should use those items in the FX5 instead of charcoal and things? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, The Doctor
 
I agree with your logic. $30 is a lot of money in the fish world, but for something as expensive and as important as a good canister filter, I would go with your best long term option...which is local support.
 
Again, I have to agree with you CLDarnell. To me, I would pay the extra $30 to just get the filter and be able to talk face to face with a person if you have problems. As far as media for the filter, I would say that carbon is not necessary and I, in fact, never use it. People use scrubbies and bio balls in their filtration system, but are better suited for a sump system due to the fact that there is more available space. That being said, I actually think I have scrubbies in 4 out of 5 of my filters. They are a lot cheaper than buying oodles and gobs of rings, but have less surface area than rings (which is what the bacteria needed for your cycle grows on). I have 2 Fx5's bought got both of them used with media. I believe the new Fx5's only come with the large prefilter pads on the outside of the baskets. If I you could give us your tank size and stock, we could better recommend what media would be suited for your tank.
 
If you dont mind spendin a few extra bucks then i would totally just buy it at the lfs. You dont have to wait for it to arrive and all the things you mentioned in your post. Not real sure about the filter media but i know some people dont bother with the carbon and just use more bio housing media. The bio rings might be better suited than scrubies and bioballs for canister filtration.
 
I haved ordered 3 FX5 online and they all are perfect. Seems like they are shipped directly from Hagen Company because of how the box is packaged. Unless you live in a far out remote location and hard to get to residence, I highly would buy it from online. Also online purchase you wont be taxed.
 
Can some of you tell me good and bad experiences with buying the FX5 or any other large canister filter online?
 
I have bought 1 fluval 404 and 2 rena xp3's online and have had absolutly no issues. I would only buy new if going online and the boxes come sealed from a dealer. I wouldn't mind so much buying used local so I could try it out and just not buy it if it didn't work right. I do almost all of my shopping online between overstock.com, EBAY, and doctorsfosterandsmith.com I work from home in childcare and really can't get out to run around so online is the best route for me. As long as you buy it new online I don't see you having any problems but in the rare chance that you do you can still contact the manufacturer with their warranty.
 
if you have problems just file a paypal claim on ebay and get your money refunded including postage. not a big issue to doing it. i bought several filters on ebay never a problem.
 
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