The Bottom Line
Pros
- Design utilizes entire use of canister.
- Versatile filtering capabilities.
- Durable and well constructed.
- Easy to open, close, and restart.
- Easy access for cleaning the prefilter sponges.
Cons
- A little more expensive than some other canisters.
Description
- Manufactured by Rolf C. Hagen Corp.
- Multi-stage system designed to provide optimum aquarium filtration.
- Biological, chemical, and mechanical filtration materials can be placed in the media trays.
- With separated chambers, it's easy to remove and clean the prefilter sponges without disturbing the media trays.
- Auto-stop valves shut off water flow while hoses remain intact for easy maintenance.
- Comes complete with Fluval foam blocks, carbon, and BioMAX biological filter media.
- Adjustable output adapter for directional flow control above or below the water surface.
- Self-priming with self-flushing impellers.
- Various sized models to choose from.
Guide Review - Hagen Fluval Canister Filters
Despite the numerous problems with the old 03 Series models, such as breaking latches, being hard to clean, difficult to put back together and get started, aquarists still seemed to rave about them.When the new and improved Fluval 04 Series came along, some aquarists suggest that Hagen had out done themselves with this line. These newer, sleeker, square filters had a radically redesigned filter flow that makes efficient use of the entire canister. Even after introducing the first 04 models some years ago, a few defects were found and since have been updated.
Now there's the newer 05 Series units, which are even better. Having used these canisters, the best feature we like is how easy they are to open, remove and clean the prefilter sponges, without disturbing the media trays, and then close and restart them. We highly recommend any of the 04 or 05 Series units for anyone that is looking for what you might call the "cadillac" of canister filters.
