I found used 405 (2 of them) for sale. just wondering what would be a fair price to pay for them, and how would I check to make sure they are in working order. guy says they are still in use right now. thanks!
If the 405 comes with "bio-rings" they last a very long time. If the "sponge/foam" filter material looks ok...just rinse & reuse. Anything else in the filter replace it. I personally (in an established tank)...only have the foam material & bio-rings in my canister filters (no need for charcoal or ammonia removal granules).how do I know if the media is in good working condition?
Make sure there are no cracks in the base or the clamps that hold the motor head to the base bucket. Personally I would never use bio media that was in someone else's tank, thats like adding LFS water to your tank during acclimation.To purchase a used filter is a coin tossed to the air if you know what I mean. It is either if both: If youre lucky you can get yourself a very good filter at a very low cost or you can get yourself a real piece of junk that would only bring you a headache and at the end of tge day perhaps you'd have to buy another one and you'd wish you had bought the brand new since the beginning.
It is your call.