Fluval FX2 Long Term Review

[@billcoleman782]

When I service the FX series of filter I shut off the intake first and let the pump push out water from the filter body for about 5 seconds then shut off the outlet hose and immediately unplug the filter. Only get a small amount of water when disconnecting.

[@johnmaude5065]

I’ve had a FX2 for 3 months, I haven’t serviced it yet, but love the job it’s doing so far. It’s running on a 4 x 2 x4 tank moderately stocked with western rainbows and empire gudgeons

[@soundpitchblack]

I have both the fx2 and the 407. The weak point on the 407 is the primer o-ring not the one attached to the piston but the one that seals the shaft from the outside so it wont leak from that area. Once that is damage then there is no replacement part and dyi may work but reliably? The fx2 has less mechanical/seal weakpoints.

[@cesargarza4560]

Well on the fx4 and fx6 to stop the water from jumping out when you take the quick stop valves is to let some of the water from the maintenance valve from the bottom part

[@unlearnr]

Damn Bentley! Appreciate the honest review. Makes me think subscribing to your channel is well worth it! 👏 ❤

[@Blakhawk1703]

I'm so glad you did this video. I have a 40g Breeder and I was wondering what the flow would look like with a FX2. I was also looking at the Fluval 307 or 407. Guess this one may be too much. I have some guppies.

[@BTQ410]

Thanks, this actually helped me on my FX6. I didn’t know you could actually turn it down. I honestly hadn’t had a chance to research it as I just got the FX6. I am over filtering a 50 gallon tank as the tank is a little overstocked. I really Ike the FX6 as it is doing a great job, but I missed being able to control the flow. I ordered the spray bar, but haven’t gotten it yet. Between being able to cut down the flow a little and the spray bar, I should be able to adjust to where I want it. Thanks! I hope Fluval listens to your suggestions too. It is a good filter, but for the price it should be a bit more customizable. I switched out the intake cage as some of my fish could get into the one that comes with the FX6. I found one on Amazon with smaller openings made aftermarket to fit any of the FX filters. I had been using a Prefilter sponge, but wasn’t really happy with that solution. The new input filter cage is doing the job beautifully.

[@arthurhague4205]

You didn’t know how to turn down🤪

[@WhaleEye-r4e]

thanks for this. You're a good guy. Love your work.

[@franka6302]

If you put a bypass valve ( using 2 T fittings and a small gate valve) between the intake and output just above the filter you could potentially lower the flow that way

[@mr.sardine]

Thanks for the update! Very happy with my FX2. I got the spray bar to divide the flow. It’s been working out great for a year in my 55 gal, with a lot of rocks and wood decor.. Couldn’t be happier. It is my first canister filter so I don’t have anything else to compare it to though..

[@mr.sardine]

I put on the AqCoOp sponge as pre-filter, so the fry is surviving, and am keeping the spray bar below the water level to keep it quiet. Also got a small sponge filter in the corner. It’s a good setup. For a while I even had a koralia circulation pump to spread CO2 bubbles around, but shut that down when the AqCoOp regulator failed. Man, that was a bad CO2 regulator they sold for a while, even the diffuser they sold was bad

[@WeipoMingpo]

Great for Hillstream Loaches or Chindongo Saulosi. I did that for my Saulosi 😅😊

[@3dus]

What about maintaining it if you have a fully planted aquarium? Does it have a “pre-filter” like the 407 has?

[@DavidTucker85]

I have an fx2 on my 75g planted aquarium. It's stocked with angels and flow hasnt been an issue. I definitely have way more scape and plants to break the flow up. I also use the nozzles which lets me focus the flow. There are large areas for the angles to relax in.

[@the_DOS]

What is the name of that beautiful plant on the left with green and red leaves @1:33?

[@BentleyPascoe]

@@the_DOS red melon sword! Gorgeous with just a little co2

[@johnjr47]

I my tank dimensions is 36L 24W 20H which one would you buy 407 or FX2 ?

[@Nikignjatovic]

Which FX canister would you recommend for a 6ft long 125 gallon tank?

[@BentleyPascoe]

@@Nikignjatovic I use an FX6 on mine

[@dscott7864]

Is there a link you can provide to the FX prefilter?

[@BentleyPascoe]

@@dscott7864 www.etsy.com/listing/1077908370/fluval-filter-fx2fx4fx6-intake-guard?ref=share_v4_lx

[@Whips_World]

Hey there, Bentley. So, I know you're a much smarter man than I am, and you have a lot more practical experience in this kind of thing, but let me tell you, I put an FX5 on a 10 gallon filled with 40 to 60 convict fry (it was an emergency). They figured it out. Even on my 210, and yes, it's a 210 with a lot of volume to disburse the flow, but I had an FX6, two marineland canister 360s, a hang on the back AquaClear 110, two marineland 350 penguin, a wave maker, and a large Co-Op sponge filter. So yeah, it was basically a washing machine in there. What did I keep in there you ask? Angels. Everybody told me that that would never work. It worked fine. I think the whole flow thing is just a little overblown.

[@slamboy66]

If the FX series got DC controllers, What would be an acceptable price increase ?

[@DrSKMetz]

I'm running two FX2s on a 110 discus tank. I'm using a single spray bar for the return with both connected to different ends. I have them cranked back to about 2/3. I also have UV on one. This seems to work well. I should have gotten one FX4 but I'd already bought one FX2 and was pre-cycling it when I decided to get a bigger tank.

[@FlowstateAquatics]

As you mentioned, the FX form factor is very tantalizing to me and might be a deciding factor when compared vs the 407. I'm such a sucker for the FX body. Maybe it was all the FX series propaganda I was exposed to when I first got into the hobby years ago.

[@vassetz]

nice review! ;-)

[@icarlsw34]

I recently bought a second fx2 at the recent black Friday sale. It was only $30 more than the 407 at the sale prices. Yet the filter is so much better than the 407 in many ways for my application. Not just higher flow rates but the design is better. For instance I can make a larger bcb basket for it than the 407. I was tempted by the fx4 with the water change system though.

[@Willym_Atl]

Sicce space eko 300 FTW.. compact, quick disconnect and easy to maintain

[@fabiansfish]

Thank you for the great review! I’ve considered the fx2 but It just doesn’t quite fit under my aquarium.. Here in Central Europe and the fx6 is the same price as the fx2. I find that so strange, considering how much bigger the fx6 is.

[@arthurpellett9256]

I’ve used fx 4 and fx6 but in no way could you compare them with a hang on back 😢

[@icarlsw34]

You can try taking off the outlet jet and just run the hose into the water. You will get a better flow rate without the high speed jet.

[@shhh_iamthenight6933]

To show water flow next time, add a few drops of edible liquid food coloring dye directly into the water flow points you are trying to provide a visual demonstration of. Be that for your viewing public or your own curiosities. The visuals will come across flawlessly, w/out adding any additional waste(s) into your aquarium or aquarium filters bioload in the process ither. Hopefully, my 2 cents make sense. Lata, 🐊.

[@John-Ebsen]

I love the FX filters, but there's always room for improvement.

[@brackon1087]

I agree I wouldn't have gotten mine if it wasn't 100$ at an auction especially having used it for almost a year. My biggest con is those silly jet outputs you mentioned

[@seannunes2041]

Hi Bentley, in my view, I believe Fluval overplayed itself by pushing the FX2. Micro monster filter. The 407 is a better all-around solution based on size per performance, maintainability, and, more importantly, cost. What's up with Fluval and these black corrugated hoses. Gives the industrial look fish only look.

[@icarlsw34]

The fx2 is way better than the 407 and replaces it There is no reason to get the 407 unless you have limited space in your cabinet. The fx2 has a way more efficient pump technology. It also automatically purges air from the system every so often thus preventing airlock. The fx2 runs at 30W of power and the 407 at 27W. So not much difference yet can produce more flow.

[@icarlsw34]

The corrugated hose is actually a better design because it eliminates the build up of bacteria problem that occurs in a standard hose that reduces flow over time.

[@James_Hande]

Uhm... kind of the wrong size tank for that filter. Fluval states "FX2 Canister Filter, up to 175 US Gal / 750 L". "Multi-stage filter pumps out 475 US Gal / 1800 L of water per hour". What's a 40G need for max flow - 160 gal per hour? I wouldn't even consider that filter for my 75G, but I would maybe for my 125G.

[@dzonz4274]

I've been looking at getting one of these, so I was excited to see this video uploaded because I enjoy your videos, especially reviews. Unfortunately, I'm going to be a bit harsh here. this video wasn't really helpful at all. You didn't show any of the inner workings or how much water spills, you didn't show what it comes with or the ways it can be configured to the tank. You basically just took 20m to say that you put it on a tank that's way to small for it