Goldfish and Aquarium Board Articles
Filter Profiles: Fluval 105
By Ingrid

Model:	Fluval 105
Type:	Canister Filter
Manufacturer:	Hagen
Types of filtration possible:	Mechanical, Biological and Chemical
GPH:	125
Canister size:	0.75 gallons
Tank Size:	up to 25 gallons for tropical fish; 10 to 20 gallons for goldfish and turtles.
Pros:	Excellent mechanical filtration that can be rinsed without affecting biomedia; large capacity for biomedia and many options for chemical media; easy to customize circulation in tank.
Cons:	Initial set up can take some time and thought; changing chemical media more of a chore than with HOB filters; very strong current that may need to be baffled for weaker swimmers (pearlscale goldfish, for example).

The "05" series of Fluval canister filters are the newest models. Previous models are the "04" series. The "05" series differ from the "04" series in the brackets used to mount the tubing on the tank, the handles used to open the canister, and the overall color scheme of the filters. The Fluval 104 is essentially the same filter as the Fluval 105.

Here is the Fluval 105 nestled safely behind a little fence. (There are terriers in the house.)

The inside of the Fluval 105 is very similar to the Fluval 404, everything is just smaller. Here is the underside of the top of the filter, where the impellor and motor are housed.

This is a view looking down into the canister. The mechanical media is on the right and the chemical and biomedia are on the left. In this picture the lid is on. The hole in this lid is positioned right below the impellor, when the top part is on. This arrangement separates the water coming into the filter from the water going out, and it insures that the out-going water is pulled upwards through the chemical and biological media.

Here are the four foam blocks that accomplish the mechanical filtration. Like in the Fluval 404, they span the entire height of the canister. This filter is brand new, so the foam is bright white.

The Fluval 105 has two main baskets for chemical and biological filtration. In the bottom basket I put Biomax ceramic rings that I was using in the old HOB filter for this tank. I added the old rings to the new ones that came with the Fluval 105. This keeps the nitrogen cycle going and seeds the additional biomedia in the new filter.

In the upper media basket I put pieces of sponge filter from the old filter that I was replacing. Again, this helps keep the nitrogen cycle strong while changing filters.

The Fluval 105 comes with a basket insert that divides the main media baskets into two. I placed this above the sponges and used it to hold a packet of Purigen.

Here is everything put together without the lid in place.

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