I have been running this filter for over a month. I am hugely impressed, I won't buy a different filter for any tanks I set up which are under 20 gallons.
This is a filter designed for 5 to 20 gallon aquariums. I have mine on a 20 gallon tank. I bought it for two reasons, I wanted the advantages of a canister filter for which there are too many to go into here, and a gentler flow of water for my apistos who hate moving water and I hope for fry which need gentler flow even more.
First impressions:
This thing is big, which as far as filtration goes this is great, but it is far from being inconspicuous as you can get. It can be hung on the back of the tank like an HOB or it can be placed on the stand somewhere by the aquarium. It is a challenge to put together, but you only have to do this once. And, wow, is it running? This thing is quiet!
Construction:
The canister is really solidly built including the internal trays. I am not so sure about the plastic and rubber parts taking the water into and out of the tank. Actually I don't think the plastic will be a problem, I am just leery of how the rubber and plastic pieces connect. This might be entirely in my head, but other than this I think the thing is bombproof. All the parts inside the aquarium are of clear plastic, I think this is a plus for the obvious reasons.
Filter media.
The inside of the filter comes with two trays. One is full of ceramic rings which I consider to be great. The other had a carbon cartridge which I immediately tossed in the trash and a couple types of floss. There was nothing wrong with the floss but I replaced it with a type I prefer. I added a bag of Purigen. There is plenty of room to stick anything in there such as peat or crushed coral if you are seeking to reach a specific pH naturally.
Water flow inside the tank
First the intake, it comes with a sponge that is optional. This was very important to me because I hope to have fry. Nothing much else to say, it sucks like it is supposed to.
The water flowing into the tank comes out of a spray bar which can be directed in any direction including straight up if for some reason you want a fountain. This is great for betta lovers because you can direct it back and slightly down so the flow is baffled against the back of the tank and the surface is nice and calm. The spraybar design tends to eliminate any strong flow across the tank regardless of spraybar angle. For the apistos the surface is irrelevant, just the flow lower in the tank is important, so I have the spraybar aimed slightly up and across the tank, causing some movement on the surface but quieter below. You can also eliminate the spraybar and let the water spew out from the outlet like a more typical filter.
Conclusions:
PROS
- Quiet
- Immense filtration capacity for a small tank
- Flexibility of filter media not available with an HOB
- Solid construction
- Control over the outflow
- Optional sponge on the intake
- All clear components that are inside the tank
CONS
- At $50 it costs more than an HOB
- It is really big
If you wonder why I didn't compare it to another mini-canister. First I've never seen those other products. Second if you search for yourself you will see that there is only two other such products on the market and based on common opinion they are vastly inferior (unless you are keeping turtles).
Two months ago I had never heard of Finnex. But then I found myself researching for two different products and in both cases I came up with Finnex as a clear winner after reading review after review and tons of forum posts and comparisons.
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From the manufacturer
Finnex External Canister Filter
The PX-360 Series
The Finnex compact canister filter offers a vacuum tight force filtration outperforms conventional power filters as your tank will become noticeably cleaner and clearer. Quiet operation and easy maintenance make this filter an ideal setup for saltwater or freshwater aquariums. Enjoy easy removable filtration chambers to add or remove any media you choose. Not only that, but these make excellent turtle aquarium setups.Media Upon Media Filtration media includes activated carbon floss pad, sponge and ceramic rings. Easily removable filtration media holding trays makes maintenance easy. Completed accessories include durable water intake strainer, spray bar and filter hanger.Powerful top mounted 95 gph sealed motor. High-quality ABS material constructed canister body. Filtration media includes activated carbon floss pad, sponge and ceramic rings.
Features :
- Filtration media includes activated carbon floss pad, sponge and ceramic rings
- Perfect for both Aquatic and Turtle Aquariums up to 25 gallons
- Accessories include durable water intake strainer, spray bar and filter hanger
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| Finnex PX-360 Canister Filter | Finnex PX-150 Canister Filter | |
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| Customer Reviews |
750
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88
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| Price | — | $52.21 |
| Model | PX-360 | PX-150 |
| GPH | 95 | 150 |
| Application | 10-25 Gallons Aquariums | 0-30 Gallon Aquariums |
| Flow Control | ✓ | |
| 3-Stage Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
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Customer Review: Great filter, even as a HOB
snicklefritz
Compare with similar items
This Item  Finnex PX-360 All-in-one Compact Canister Filter |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | $94.99 | $12.99 | $49.25 | $6.99 | $9.99 |
| Delivery | — | Get it May 15 - 20 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | — | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 17 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Noise level | ||||||
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| Value for money | ||||||
| Easy to clean | ||||||
| Sold By | — | WUPYI | usmagob | Nivi Stores Inc. | CLL Pet Supplies | Amazon.com |
Reviews with images
Easy to fix. The best small canister.
To understand the "flaws" one must understand some basic fluid dynamics. As a mechanic that's filled numerous radiators, I'll do my best to explain.The air and churning noises are easy to trace back to the installer. These pumps are lift pumps. That's all they do. The canister itself is gravity fed. The pump has very little suction, if any at all. All it is designed to do, is lift the water back into the tank. You MUST buy bulk vinyl hose (1/2" ID; 5/8" OD) from your home improvement store. This hose will prove to be slightly larger than included.. it will work (I'll say more about that soon). There just isn't enough included. And DO NOT (Bold, underscored, italicized) DO NOT use the hang on back brackets. If you want hang on back, buy a HOB.I can read the reviews, and see that people are not giving the water enough "drop". What I mean is, the hoses it comes with, aren't long enough. You need to be able to have the filter far enough below the water intake, that gravity takes over, and effectively siphons the water from the tank, into the canister.Also, invest in some 90 degree, 1/2" hose connectors. Install those as the inlet and outlet exit the tank. You should make a "U" of 90 bends, that will point towards the floor. You'll need a small piece of connecting hose. Secure these connections with zip ties. Two or more.Now, the important part--make sure your canister is mounted as low as reasonably possible. Mine rests on the floor of a stand that is 28" tall. My tank is 15" tall. I have 43" of "drop". I also don't have any air bubbles in my hoses.This thing has more than enough power to lift two feet. In fact, I recommend you also buy a pair of 1/2" ball valves from your favorite home improvement store. I bought "shark bite" variety that had three barbs. I put a small zip tie between each of the barbs to secure the connection. As, 1/2" aftermarket hose fits very loosely. If I were to do it again, I'd use a pair of ball valves as close to the pump motor as possible. This idea is borrowed from the flow control valves found on other canister filters. The intended use of two would be, when you're trying to open the canister for maintenence. You can close both valves, disconnect the pump head as a unit from the canister with the clasps, and have minimal spillage. All while never touching your hose connections. This should also maintain your siphon. The canister should automatically refill when you open the ball valves--if the tank is full. You can use the "out" side ball valve to fine tune the force made by the output. Keep the input ball valve full open--unless maintaining.All in all, exactly what I was looking for. And I was kind of intrigued to see some of the ideas in the box. The HOB brackets are a good idea, just not practical. The included spray bar is nice. As is the "stream" output nozzle. It's basically as good as it gets for it's price and place in the market. Another $25 in materials and you have a setup that will rival some of the bigger names, with no actual modifications of parts. Add a $45 set of Lilly pipes and you have a top of the line piece. I don't think you'll make a more recognized name do that for anywhere near the small sum you'd have in this Finnex. This is definitely a DIY'ers treat. Little changes make a big didifference. You get to give yourself a pat on the back... feel like an engineer for a week or two. =)
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carina
Bueno, tengo ajolotes.
Reviewed in Mexico on October 19, 2021
carina
Reviewed in Mexico on October 19, 2021
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