Fluval hits again with another innovation on their famous 07 series, the latest and greatest filter technology. For sure, this will be the most excellent decision to make for your little aquatic friends. The manufacturer has provided the market with quality aquatic products for so many years, and this filter series makes no difference.
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Made for small aquariums (up to 100 gallons), Fluval 407 is an energy-efficient, silent, and super powerful external filter. If you are looking for a canister filter worth the money, then Fluval 407 is your go-to.
- Ultra-quiet operation (25% quieter than older versions)
- Efficient Technology feature
- Reduced energy consumption
- Powerful pump performance
- Can cause leaking if not set up correctly
Characterized by reliability, flexibility, and quality, especially the Fluval 407, you’ll be presented with an incredible value to money ratio and features that will suit all sorts of tank sizes.
There are some really advanced features on all these filters. However, you will notice everything is straightforward to set up, understand and use on a daily basis. With a really potent performance, Fluval 407 is the milestone of Fluval filters and in this review, you will learn exactly why.
| Category | Fluval 407 | Fluval 307 | Fluval 207 | Fluval 107 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | External / Canister filter | External / Canister filter | External / Canister filter | External / Canister filter |
| Color | Black | Black | Black | Black |
| Aquarium Capacity | Up to 50-100 Gallons | Up to 40-70 Gallons | Up to 20-45 Gallons | Up to 10-30 Gallons |
| Filter Circulation | 245 GPH | 206 GPH | 121 GPH | 95 GPH |
| Filtration Type | Multi-stage filter | Multi-stage filter | Multi-stage filter | Multi-stage filter |
| Pump Output | 383 GPH | 303 GPH | 206 GPH | 145 GPH |
| Filter media included | Mechanical, chemical and biological | Mechanical, chemical and biological | Mechanical, chemical and biological | Mechanical, chemical and biological |
| Canister Volume | 9.2 l | 7.3 l | 5.3 l | 3.9 l |
| Basket volume | 4.2 l | 3.1 l | 1.8 l | 1.2 l |
| Size | 9.5 x 7 x 19.3” | 9.5 x 7 x 16.5” | 7.5 x 7 x 16.5” | 7.5 x 7 x 13.7” |
Fluval 407 Overview
When you see little fish swimming in tanks in a pet store, you never take into account the amount of waste these little dudes produce. In fact, if filters never existed, you’d have to do regular water changes weekly, vacuuming the gravel and removing any waste manually, and a ton of other time-consuming tasks, and you’d still risk your fish’s health due to the toxic ammonia buildup.
All of this is eliminated easily with the help of filters. Especially powerful filters that make everything easier and faster. The 07 series fall right under this category. This series, among other upgrades, is 25% quieter and energy-efficient due to the re-engineering done for your convenience by keeping all maintenance necessities at a minimum.
Out of the whole series, the Fluval 407 is the most powerful of the bunch, making it suitable for all tanks up to 100 gallons. Equipped with bioFoam, this one provides double the biological filtration than any other filter out there. It’s a high-performance filter that easily outperforms most filters.
Due to its form factor, it fits almost everywhere too, making you feel like it was tailor-made for your tank. Being an external filter, it usually sits on your aquarium cupboard easily. Due to the rubber feet, it won’t move an inch by minimizing the noise from the vibration.
What is in the Box?
In the box, you’ll find all you need and more, enough to meet and exceed your expectations. The list is as follows:
- Ribbed hosing
- Rim connections
- Aqua Stop valve
- Tube for taking in air
- Strainer for the intake
- Itake strainer and input stem
- Basket for pre-filtering
- Basket for media
- Cover for the media basket
- Handle for the media basket
- Cup of suction (30 mm)
- Nozzle for the output
- 2 hose couplings made of rubber
- Max Bio-Foam
- Bio-Foam
- 70 grams of carbon
- Quick-Clear
- Bio-Foam+
- And finally the handbook of instructions
Features Of Fluval 407
This product comes rich in features that come as a direct result of the care behind its built. It provides excellent water quality by making everything easier for you and your fish. Below you’ll find listed all of its features.
Fluval eTEC
So, the main feature that the company itself puts more emphasis on would definitely be eTEC which roughly means Efficient Technology. This means that all of its components are manufactured to achieve performance and make it efficient in power and reduce noise. Built with the latest technology and attention to detail, you can be sure no other filter will match its performance.
Pump and Motor
The pressure and power generated by the motor will surely remain powerful even after years of usage. The pump is precision-crafted and reengineered to be 25% quieter than its predecessor, making it perfect if you want something strong that doesn’t wake up the whole neighborhood when in use.
Easier To Use And Maintain
There are quite a few elements that have been redesigned by keeping all sorts of users in mind. The Primer, now with larger handles for an easier start-up. The Rubber Feet stabilizers, which soften the vibration caused by the motor, which not only reduce noise but also offer that extra protection.
Media Baskets now have a new handle that allows the media stack to be handled quickly and with less mess. The clamps are also optimized for a simple and damage-less installation and quick release.
All these and more result in the maintenance time and clean-up time reduced by 40%. You won’t need more than just some minutes per day to take care of everything and you’ll have everything set.
Other Versions of Fluval 07 Series
All these features though, are not just part of the Fluval 407 but are actually present in all the models of the 07 series. Well then, how can you tell them apart and how can you choose between them?
Fortunately, we are here to help. Although the features are similar, that doesn’t mean that each product is identical. Below you’ll find all of these products differentiated and reviewed.
Fluval 107
To be fair, the main difference between these filters is the gallons of water that they can support. This means each of them has a maximum capacity it can work in, and in this case, that maximum capacity would be 30 gallons.
Fluval 107 is actually really budget-friendly too and it won’t dent your pocket at all. Another thing worth mentioning is that this one along with the Fluval 207 provides amazing performance and draws ridiculously 10 watts of electrical energy.
To put it in perspective, not only are 10 watts extremely too little, but that’s equivalent to just one singular LED light bulb used in houses. Circulation goes to about 95 gallons per hour, while pump output is 145 gallons per hour.
Fluval 207
The Fluval 207 on the other hand, is recommended for tanks up to 45 gallons. While it seems identical to the Fluval 107 is definitely more powerful, circulating around 121 gallons per hour and outputting 206 gallons per hour by the pump.
This one also spends around 10 watts of power in total and is just as budget-friendly. If you thought the Fluval 107 was great and wished it had just a bit more power for you to purchase it, this would be the way to go. Also, if you have a heavily planted tank, this might be the better choice.
Fluval 307
And if you came to this point and still didn’t find one that would be perfect for you, the Fluval 307 is like the golden line between all. Not exactly cheap yet not expensive at all, not the most powerful out there but can support tanks up to 70 gallons and can pump around 303 gallons per hour. If you find the Fluval 407 too much for its performance, this is your safest bet of the bunch.
Fluval 407 vs. FX4
The Fluval FX4 and FX series from Fluval was generally made for either larger or more demanding tanks, which translates to more power and drive. And I don’t mean a couple of gallons more; the FX4 has twice the power of everything of the 407, which means twice the expenses.
However, you do get more filter media with the Fluval 407 if that’s what you’re after. So keeping all these in mind, if you have a tank over 100 gallons or a tank that’s demanding, you’re going to love the Fluval FX4. It’s powerful, but it will be more costly in price and electricity bill.
Powerful filtration
Smart Pump technology
Substrate cleaning
Seamless water changes
However, if you’re looking for a filter for 100-gallon tanks or less, you’ll find the Fluval 407 to be more energy-efficient, straight to the point, and better for your fish if they prefer slow-moving currents.
Fluval 406 vs. 407
The Fluval 406 is part of Fluval’s 06 series of filters and is definitely the most powerful one of the bunch. Fluval 406 comes with similar specs as the Fluval 407, meaning that the pump power and motor power are the same.
Large media capacity
Silent operation
Easy cleaning
Flow Rate 383 GPH
The capacity of the tank they can handle is also the same. Now, considering the 07 is the latest series, it’s normal for 06 to have fewer features than 07.
And to be fair, even if you’re torn between the two, you should definitely go for the latest product unless you find a big difference in price point. Fluval 407 has all the new technologies applied on it while Fluval 406, although provides the same power, has a more traditional approach. So, unless the price difference is really worth it, the 407 is the choice to go with.
Conclusion
The Fluval 407 is definitely the way to go if you need a filter that will support tanks up to 100 gallons that’s easy to use and won’t break the bank. It’s also really energy-efficient and will save the day when it’s time to pay your bills.
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Made for small aquariums (up to 100 gallons), Fluval 407 is an energy-efficient, silent, and super powerful external filter. If you are looking for a canister filter worth the money, then Fluval 407 is your go-to.
- Ultra-quiet operation (25% quieter than older versions)
- Efficient Technology feature
- Reduced energy consumption
- Powerful pump performance
- Can cause leaking if not set up correctly
Besides these, this model is easier to handle and set up, so you won’t have a problem adjusting it to how you need to. However, if you find the product too pricey or just a bit over the top, the Fluval 307 or other products from the series will definitely be useful.
They’re great if you don’t need that much performance or if you’re on a budget. But if the Fluval 407 isn’t powerful enough for your tank, the Fluval FX4 will be a lifesaver. It’s almost double everything from the Fluval 407 and even though that price tag might be bulkier, it provides an excellent solution for larger or more demanding aquariums.
Either way, we’re sure that whichever of the products you decide to go with, it’s going to be impossible to regret your choice.
FAQs
If you’re wondering how long your Fluval 407 would last or how to clean it, then read on for answers to these and other commonly asked questions about this external filter.
Q: How many gallons is a Fluval 407 rated for?
The Fluval 407 is one of the most trustworthy series of multi-stage canister filters ever manufactured. Due to its next-generation functionality and performance, it’s optimized to handle up to 100 gallons.
Q: How often should I clean my Fluval 407?
Due to the remanufacturing done by Fluval, these filters don’t require much maintenance. You should only clean them Fluval 407 when you see things getting slower or problems with water quality. However, I clean it every three months, but once every six months is fine.
Q: How long does a Fluval filter last?
Depending on person and maintenance, a Fluval filter can go up to over 20 years. That doesn’t mean that after 20 years it will be destroyed. However, it does experience a few issues after many years of usage.
That’s completely normal, even on the standards that Fluval has put upon their company. Either way, as long as you treat it well, it’s sure to last you decades.
