Fluval C3 Power Filter Setup and Review - Nice Filter for Aquariums 20 to 50 gallons

[@edyoung6573]

My C3 has been running perfectly for almost 3 years now, Have a pre filter sponge on the intake tube, make my own mechanical filter pads. Don't use the carbon fill that chamber up with Seachem Matrix, also matrix in the wet/dry drip chamber. Clean the impeller once a month (about). Starts on it's own after power outage's (just need to prime after water changes. It's a champ!!

[@mlee6136]

This is a great filter I’ve had it for 3 years. Whenever the impeller doesn’t work it’s because it’s dirty, just clean it. No issues… they put a lot of thought into the design.

[@NorthLVLowRoller]

I've used this filter with a Marineland 150 for a 45 gallon custom low and long acrylic tank for 3 years. Never had one issue with either filter, each has there own cool attributes. Like someone else said I fill the red tray with Matrix, top little box with lava rock/more matrix, cut Carbon pads and Polishing pads and use 50/50 for the filter area, then I lay a 100 micron thin pad across both of those. I love that the tube is extendable, I use it all the way to the bottom and use Marineland is more right in the middle.

[@johnfuller6908]

Great job simplifying the filter instructions

[@edwardyoung8575]

I have had it on my 29 gallon planted Community tank, i make my own mechanical filter pads and have a pre filter on the intake. Also dont use carbon, i fill that chamber with Matrix. Filter has been great.

[@FishyReview]

The more bio media you can put in a filter, the better.

[@D.Uwins-music]

I took the little white sponge off the top of the media tray. Mine totally got clogged with bacteria. Without the sponge you get way better flow over the c nodes. Also, I keep mine on low flow...as it has the highest output over the media tray!

[@CharlesHarvey-gg7tp]

Thank you for the video I tough that my filter was broken but it was just the motor

[@FishyReview]

Glad it helped!

[@daydreamlifeevents]

What did you do to fix it? Mine is broken. Please advise. Thanks

[@KnottySergal]

Have had mine for about 9 months on a 36gal tall bow front with 12 neon tetra 3 Panda Gara 3 Bosemani rainbow fish 2 African butterfly fish 2 bristle nose pleco 3 green Cory cat 2 albino Cory cat 1 Juli Cory cat and it does a fantastic job.

[@FishyReview]

Do your 3 Panda Garra get along? I just got my first one and wondered if it would like some friends. This is a good filter if you keep it cleaned regularly.

[@KnottySergal]

@@FishyReview they are some of the most entertaining fish in my tank. They literally play with each other. Probably my favorite fish in my tank! Get AT LEAST 2 because they like company or else they will be reclusive. I only got 3 because it is all the store had. Otherwise I would have gotten 4 lol.

[@KnottySergal]

@@FishyReview I actually added a Fluval U3 today on the other side of the tank for added filtration and some current generation. My fish seemed to have gotten much happier within just the few hours after putting it in. Everyone is out and about doing fish things that make the happy juices flow in my brain.

[@aleemscorpio]

Does it self prime or do we need to add water after the power restarts?

[@FishyReview]

It’s not self priming but should restart after a power failure if it was clean and running normally, assuming the water in the aquarium was not low.

[@edyoung6573]

As long as you keep your tank topped off it always restarts, just fill the filter up with tank water after water changes.

[@ranchupichu]

Looking at getting this as a new goldfish owner (adopted four rather large ones from a client who wasn't taking proper care of them, although I'm giving myself a crash course on the fly with them now) on the recommendation from the book The Truth About Goldfish by Meredith Clawson. Was wondering if you had any updates on it now, a year later? Was it worth the hype? I see a lot of mixed reviews where people either love it or hate it.

[@FishyReview]

I think the problem with this and four "rather large" goldfish is that it wouldn't be enough by itself. I currently have it on my 55g goldfish tank with the 3 rather large goldfish but it also has a Whisper ex70 and 2 big sponge filters. The Fluval is mainly there to keep it cycled because I have some more 20 g tanks I'm setting up soon. The filter itself has worked well for me and it has stayed very quiet. If it isn't clean, it can be picky about restarting after a power failure or a big water change. If I didn't have sponges on the tank, I would put either 2 larger HOB filters or a canister filter on that tank.

[@ranchupichu]

@@FishyReview I've come to that conclusion as well. I've actually split them up two and two into separate tanks until I can find a nice secondhand 125gal setup with at least a canister filter. :) I've learned more about goldfish in the last week than I ever could have imagined there was to learn! I think this looks like a good filter for turning the smaller tank I have into a tank for two ranchus later because now I'm enamored. I've got sponge filters running as well, which has been a huge help with them.

[@smile1234happy]

Hi any updateson this filter? Hows it so far any problems?

[@FishyReview]

It stopped running after getting clogged by Java Moss. But I can’t blame the filter for that. Its keeping the 20 gallon with 3 growing goldfish completely clean. It does need to be primed after doing a 50% water change but most filters would.

[@justtosharewhatsnew2069]

Good video bro

[@Fish_Nexus]

I believe max flow is to the left, maybe I saw wrong though. Pretty decent first impressions video

[@jp-us9rq]

im thinking of getting it do u have any issues or complaints

[@FishyReview]

Mine has been working fine so far! It's still on a 20 gallon with 3 small goldfish.

[@jp-us9rq]

@@FishyReview got mine today it's great like it a lot

[@trishgallo2623]

Thanks for the video

[@BaezLife]

My c3 is not spraying water to the right side. Right before it goes back into the tank..maybe the impeller needs cleaning.. like at 8.28 time stamp. I need that again

[@elizabethG633]

One thing I learned is that Fluval C series filters are no good for Bettas. Can't slow the flow down enough for the Bettas. I have 2 C2's that I am not using and I switched to different filters. I like most Fluval products, but the C series filters are not one of them.

[@cbcsucks2205]

I cut a 2 litre bottle pop and bottom off and then cut it in half and fold it over on itself and lay the filter over the edge on that it discharges the water sideways and doesn't make as big a splash

[@markfranklin8831]

This to me is a bad design 👎

[@FishyReview]

I cleaned mine this week because it badly needed it from months of no cleaning. It cleaned up easily and works fine. I don't like the way the traditional Aquaclear series (which this takes after) has the intake tube situated so you move it side to side to change the flow, but otherwise it has been working well and I appreciate the wet/dry section of it.

[@dshevack1]

Sorry terrible review

[@steeldonkey3828]

That filter is pure crap...,.. ac110 is the #1 but the have to do internal pump

[@edwardyoung8575]

I disagree it's been running great for me for 8 months

[@edyoung6573]

Still running great, almost 3 years now!! maintenance once a month (clean impellar, rinse bio media in bucket of tank water) Your statement is invalid.