One of the most important things to consider when purchasing an aquarium is your choice of filtration system. A huge variety of options are available to you, and it can be taxing to sort through all the copper to find real gold. Fortunately, we make it our business to keep you up to date with all sorts of product reviews, giving you the resources to make an informed decision. In this article, we are going to take a look at the Fluval 207, touted as being the world’s best-selling canister filters.
The question is: is it worth all the buzz? And, more importantly, is it worth your money? Let’s find out!
Fluval 207 Performance Canister Filter
Fluval makes some big claims about their 07 series of canister filters. This seventh iteration seemingly improves upon all six iterations which have gone before it, which is saying something – the 06 was also labeled as the world’s best canister filter.
But how much has really been improved? The 07 series, which includes a range of products from the 107 to the 407, each with the same general design, has plenty of neat features and functions, but are they enough to warrant your investment?
Who Is This Product For?
The Fluval 207, in particular, is a solid, middle-of-the-range offering that should be suitable for anyone with a small to medium-sized tank. It can pump roughly 206 gallons every hour. For a 66-gallon tank, the water can be filtered and cycled 3 times per hour, keeping it clean.
Despite its small size, however, the Fluval 207 comes at a fairly big price, which could turn off some potential buyers. Additional accessories – such as a spray-bar – are also not included in this package, which warrants further investment in order to get the most out of this canister filter.
Overall, the Fluval 207 is best suited to those with smaller tanks and bigger wallets.
What’s Included?
Besides the canister filter itself, every product in Fluval’s 07 line includes the same bits and baubles. There is quite a long list of parts included. These all need to be properly assembled in order for the filter to function as intended. An instruction manual is included to ease the process.
The parts included with every Fluval 07 product are:
- Filter canister
- Aquastop valve
- Ribbed hosing
- Rim connectors
- Intake tube
- Intake strainer
- Pre-filter basket
- Intake stem/intake strainer
- Media basket
- Suction cup
- Media basket cover
- Media basket handle
- Output nozzle
- 2 rubber hose connectors
Needless to say, there have been fewer lists of parts when it comes to canister filters. But while it may seem overwhelming, so long as you keep referring back to the manual, you will prevail.
Overview of Features
Fluval has made a big deal about how much they have improved their products from the 06 to 07 series. Assumedly, this includes the addition of several new features, as well as the improvement of existing ones.
Thankfully, that promise has been delivered, and the Fluval 07 series features plenty of great utilities and functions.
Firstly, each 07 series product uses eTech, which is a synergistic process that uses high-end design materials and construction methods to improve the overall quality of performance. Basically, this means that the 07’s now have greater power than any other iteration and are able to move between 145 and 383 gallons every hour. However, the 07’s also manage to be energy-efficient as well, drawing as little as 10 watts in order to function.
Secondly, Fluval has claimed that the 07’s are 25% quieter than previous iterations. While the company has not provided any research to back this claim, it is clear that the 07’s are definitely much quieter than most other canister filters, which should help maintain the peaceful atmosphere of the aquarium somewhat – and let you nap in peace.
The 07’s also feature Aquastop valves, ergonomically-designed mechanisms which prevent the water from flowing or spilling out during maintenance. Naturally, this can save you plenty of clean-up time, and while it is not the most astounding feature to be found here, it is certainly a welcome one.
Features unique to the 07 series include pre-filters and media baskets, the first of which are vertical storage units built into the canister itself in order to conserve as much space as possible. The media baskets can easily be lifted out, and the pads inside the canister are made from a rippled material called Biofoam Max.
Improvements
The last improvement that the 07 makes over its previous iterations is the priming mechanism. Although the canister filter is not self-priming, the mechanism itself is much stronger and can be operated with just two fingers, whereas others require the use of two full hands. Additionally, the suction has been improved, which means that pumping now only takes 2 or 3 pumps as opposed to 4 or 5.
How to Use It
Many different parts need to be assembled before your Fluval 207 can be up and running. You will need to consult the instruction manual frequently in order to ensure that everything is in its place.
Pros
- Virtually silent operation
- Improved priming mechanism
- Not as messy as other canister filters
- High-powered
- Energy-efficient
Cons
- Pricey
- Does not include accessories such as a spray-bar
Alternatives
If you want something a bit cheaper yet still capable of performing exceptionally well, the EHEIM Classic canister filter is worth checking out.
Conclusion
By now, you should have all the information you need in order to make the right decision to suit your needs. To reiterate: the Fluval 07 series delivers on its promises, but its features may still not quite be worth the price of admission.
Ben Morales
Aquarist & Writer 15+ Years