Review on 🐠 Enhanced Performance Fluval Aquarium Filter by Lori Jordan

I bought the FX5 in 2011. Seven years later it still works like new. I bought the FX6 in 2013. Five years later. . . .like new I have kept fish for over 25 years. During that time I have used many different types of canister and HOB filters. My main memory of previous canisters was the rage and frustration of pouring them, installing tricky rubber seals and dozens of finicky parts. . . After that experience, the FX5/6 were such a delight. They are easy to assemble and refuel immediately. Nothing is perfect so here are the pros and cons to help a potential buyer: PROS: 1. Huge capacity. Imagine a 4 gallon pail full of medium with a powerful motor in the lid.2. Moves lots of water and keeps tank sparkling.3. Starts instantly and works like a dream.4. Reliable - I've been using the FX5 consistently for 7 years; and FX6 for 5 years. I've never had a repair issue or any issues. The only maintenance I do is cleaning or replacing media as needed. CONS (which would probably be better described as "things to consider before buying”). 1. Strong enough to suck fish. With my 120g I used to have jewel cichlids. They spawned and every time I cleaned the filter I found babies in it. Again, this is not a defect, just a limitation to be smarter than me about where you use the filter. I currently have guppies in 120g. You have hundreds of children. Again, I can find a dozen babies in the filter on any given day. (FWIW, you can tune the flow, although I would suggest if you need to reduce bandwidth you can just get a smaller and cheaper filter). 2. It's heavy and uncomfortable. Hey, that's a 4 gallon bucket filled with water and filter material. That is hard. As another reviewer pointed out, I have to pull it out of the cupboard and take it outside to serve.3. When selecting and placing the filter material, you may have to tinker a bit. A Google search returns several results from people who have suggestions and opinions on the subject. I can still get it wrong. From bottom to top I have a water polishing pad, two foam pads and ceramic tubes. For some reason, the polishing pad saturates first, which eventually leads to a reduction in consumption, while others only get dirty easily. My aquarium is moderately planted and it can take around 4-5 weeks between filter cleanings and media changes. You will need a towel when removing the filter from the hoses for cleaning. I haven't found a way to prevent about half a glass of water from spilling out every time it shuts down. It may require some bending of the elbow to press the "buttons" (not the correct term) to detach the hose from the filter housing. You need to press it and remove the tube, and sometimes it's a little tiring.6. Expensive. It just is. That's a lot of money to throw in the filter. But I think it's well spent. I assume you are paying for a powerful and well built motor. No other aquarium equipment (except the aquarium of course) has lasted 7 years let alone like new. I feel like I can easily make it through another 7+ years. Result? I see no need to look for alternative filters for large tanks. I just bought a 300g aquarium and when it arrives I will top it up with another FX5 or FX6.