Fluval-G

First impression of what the show (or what little they show)...
kind of reminds me of the eheim 2080/2180 but the body casing sorta reminds me of a glossy Rena Filstar XP

 

this new filter line was debuted at the U.K. trade show i think on or about 9-6-09. the small version will handle up to 80gal , the larger one will handle up to 150gal . if i can find the artical i read of this, i'll post it.

 

here is an artical i found on this new fluval. at the end of the artical it has the price that they'll be going for in the u.k., i converted it to usd and came up with $500.00 for the smaller one & $584.00 for the larger one.


Exclusive: Hagen announces launch of Fluval G filter

All pictures copyright Dan Crawford

Hagen has announced the launch of its new Fluval G range of high-end external filters at its trade event in Warwickshire.

The Fluval G range includes two models, the G3 and the G6, which pack in several features which that are unique in the aquarium filtration market.

Both Fluval G filters monitor the performance of the filter and some water parameters and show the results on a digital display.

They also include a unique cartridge system which allows the pre-filter, chemical or mechanical filter media cartridges to be cleaned or replaced very quickly without the need to turn the filter off or open the entire canister.

The shiny, cube-shaped filters, look rather like marine aquarium chiller units, have a stylish black lacquered finish and silver trim and chromed locking handles, and are small enough to fit inside most cabinets.



Hydrotech Performance Monitor
The Fluval G includes an integrated Hydrotech Performance Monitor which allows the system to monitor temperature, flow rate, conductivity, and displays current results and historical data via an LCD graphical display.

Particular emphasis has been placed on the conductivity monitoring aspects, which are handed by a titanium probe within the filter - a unique feature in the aquarium market.

Hagen says that as conductivity levels rise with time due to evaporational losses concentrating the levels of dissolved minerals, that it is possible to use the technology to predict when a water change is due.

It said: "Minimum and maximum values can be set which, when exceeded, will trigger a visual alarm on the filter screen to alert you to problems.

"The Hydrotech Monitor also includes a maintenance schedule you can customise to your own requirements, so you'll never forget when that media change is due again."



Filter media
The Fluval Gs have a three-stage filtration system which combines mechanical filter cartridges and chemical media cartridges with capacious baskets of Fluval G Bio-nodes biological filter media.

The quick release cartridge system allows direct access to top pre-filter and chemical cartridges via a shut-off valve based system.

Each cartridge can be removed via a twist-lock system and either replaced with a fresh one or rinsed and reinstalled. Hagen claims the whole process takes just a couple of minutes.

The digital display warns the user when the flow rate has dropped and shows the loss of performance from trapped debris, providing warnings to the user that the media needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Hagen technical expert Klaus Reimuller, told Practical Fishkeeping: "One of the most important things to understand about this filter is the research and development that goes into something like this.

"We had a clear objective that we wanted to develop an advanced filtration system that was different from anything else on the market, and that also gave us the opportunity or possibility to monitor or observe water values and at the same time make maintenance quick and fuss-free. The goal was really to simplify fishkeeping.

"We put a lot of money - about three million dollars - on the research and development of this particular filter and spent over 100,000 Euros on market research with fishkeepers in four countries, and listened to what these people had to say.

"In order to clean the filter, you do not have to open the whole filter any more. Theoretically, you can change the chemical and mechanical filter cartridge while the unit is running.

"We recommend turning it off first, but theoretically you can do it. If you want to clean the filter you can do it under two minutes, and if you want to replace the cartridge you can do it in under 20 seconds."

Facts and figures
The Fluval G3 is designed for aquariums up to 300 litres and has a flow rate of 700 lph and uses 17w. The Fluval G4 is for aquariums of up to 600 litres and has a flow rate of 1000 lph for 28w.

Both can be used for fresh and saltwater and both will monitor flow rates, temperature and conductivity, but do not include built-in heating elements.

When asked about the comparatively low flow rates for the units, a Hagen spokesman explained that the Hydrotech Monitor allowed the units to be run at optimum efficiency by warning the user when flow rates had dropped, and that cartridges could be cleaned or replaced so quickly and easily that they may run as efficiently as competitors models with faster initial flow rates.

The filters are supplied with all required hoses and media and will be retailing for £299.99 for the G3 and £349.99 for the G6.

For a detailed look at the Fluval G, and to find out what we think of the filters, check out Practical Fishkeeping magazine's full review of the range.

 

if my fast conversion is right £349.99 = $584.02......they can keep it for that price!
I'll wait a few years until they are $100 (like I did with the Rena Xp)

 

lets hope that with all the research and the money they claim to have spent on this one, that they got it right. when i was thinking about getting an fx5 for my 125g and research the customer reviews, i've found that there seems to be more cons vs. pros.
their concept on the g-series sounds good, we'll just have to wait and see what happens after it hits the market.

 

<--never runs out and buys any filter until I read reviews...same goes with heaters for that matter.

I think if the stores want to sell us this stuff at the high price tags they should have them hooked up and running on a tank so we can get a up close and personal inspection of the filter and know what we're getting for our money.
Just my 2 cents though.

 

I will just wait til someone wants to sell it used for $50

 

I agree 100%.... Most filters go out they are simple mechanical repairs and its back up and going again or even a few new parts (o-rings etc...).

This filter has WAY too many electronics to it and if it were to die I bet it would be near impossible for even a person who has experience like myself with electronics to repair.

I kind of see it like cars now-a-days, you have SO many parts that can go wrong from sensor to computers that many mechanics have a hard time working on them and need something to read error codes to repair. If there is no error code, even if something is wrong they cant fix it because they dont know where to start.

 

A couple pictures I came across. Saw this on Drs Foster and Smith as I was working on an order.

I haven't had time to really read much about it but I bet it's going to be pretty pricey. It's pretty though, just doubt it'll be worth the price they'll want for it when it comes out next month.

 

want one but probally expensive for the useless features like a lcd screen..... fluval fx5 still the best for the best price

 

I prefer the xp4 over the fluval fx5...look into them both when I was in the market for a new filter.

The xp4 is easier to fit in MOST stands and has far less noise.
I know the fluval comes ahead in the flow rate (925 GPH, compared to rena's 450 GPH)...but when it came down to first hand reviews many said Rena provided clearer water quality due to less bypass and as far as maintenance goes-->less and easier maintenance.

However, with that all said I'd love to "test drive" and FX5 if I had the room.
Either way, If your in the market and deciding between canisters I'd say the top runners would be Rena FilstarXp4, Fluval Fx5, and Eheim Pro 3E 2080....It just depends how much room you have next to/in your cabinet and how much you can lift (the eheim 2080 is a mosterous beast that is VERY heavy ....the even have casters on it to roll it for that reason!...but if it's in your cabinet you still have to lift/ramp it out of there for maintenance).

 

i would also like to "test drive" an fx5 myself. lol

imo dawn the marineland c-series should be added to the list of top runners. they are suppose to have no by-pass and are easy to maintain. i would like to get the c-360 or the c-530.

 

well i have 2 fx5 and all i can say it's way better then my fx4s it is a lil more expensive but worth it it keeps you water crystal clean and i have some pretty overstocked tanks so i need it but i would recommend it to anyone

 

Not familiar with the c-series...what's the biggest tank they can handle and the gph on them?

 

c-360, up to 100gal @ 360gph & c-530, up to 150gal @ 530gph

 

wow, defin belongs up there with the bigger canisters then.
Have you or anyone you know had any experience with these?