Fluval 304 vs 305?

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Hi,
Does anyone have both of these models or have actually seen them side
by side?
I have heard a few things...that people visually thought they were
pretty much the same but could someone tell me more precisely the
differences?

I can get the 05 series for about 20% more, but is it worth it? That's
the big question.
Another thing...I have never used a canister filter, do I need to be
worried about a major water accident from a broken connection?

Thanks!
-joe

[[email protected]]

Dunno about 04 vs 05 (though I've loved my 04's, no complaints), but if
you've ever seen one of these, I can't imagine a broken connection
would ever be a problem.. If you're worried about it, you can easily
set it inside a bucket if you've got the room -- I used to do that
because I'd lose a bit of water whenever I disconnected it to rinse out
the media.

wrote:
> Hi,
> Does anyone have both of these models or have actually seen them side
> by side?
> I have heard a few things...that people visually thought they were
> pretty much the same but could someone tell me more precisely the
> differences?
>
> I can get the 05 series for about 20% more, but is it worth it? That's
> the big question.
> Another thing...I have never used a canister filter, do I need to be
> worried about a major water accident from a broken connection?
>
> Thanks!
> -joe

[Sysiphus]

I have both - ran the 304 on a 50 gallon for years and it is one of the best
canisters I have ever used, and I believe one of the best filters (out of
many many) I have tried. So good that when I bought my 90 gallon I bought a
305. The only key difference between the two is the gallons per hour output
(that I can see). So if you have a tank over 55 gallons, I believe the 305
is your choice.

As to mishaps, the 304 as mentioned by another has a potential for "slight"
leakage at the moment of disconnect from the unit for maintenance (we are
talking a small rag to catch some drips), but actually, they seem to have
improved something on the 305 because it is almost drip free. I have
noticed the 305 has a much tighter filter casing so I am sure there is less
by-pass of the filter media. So in about 7 years of use I have never had a
broken connection or water accident with either unit. Oh yeah, they are both
very quiet.


> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hi,
> Does anyone have both of these models or have actually seen them side
> by side?
> I have heard a few things...that people visually thought they were
> pretty much the same but could someone tell me more precisely the
> differences?
>
> I can get the 05 series for about 20% more, but is it worth it? That's
> the big question.
> Another thing...I have never used a canister filter, do I need to be
> worried about a major water accident from a broken connection?
>
> Thanks!
> -joe
>