Pimp My Filter #37 - Fluval 207 Canister Filter 

Fluval 207 (Ebay UK / EU): ebay.to/2WiwpmK Fluval 207 (Amazon): geni.us/EC0mQ Foams and Biohome Ultimate: www.filterpro.co.uk (FilterPro site has links to suppliers in other countries) Biohome Ultimate on Amazon UK: geni.us/GDV8oLd Biogravel on Amazon UK: geni.us/o98PP An updated version of one of Fluval's mid-range canister filters which is suitable for a normally stocked tank of around 100 litres (for a FULL cycle). The supplied media is a bit disappointing as you will see in the video but that is swapped out anyway so it doesn't matter. There have been many improvements made over the previous version (206) and the price has increased accordingly but it is still an excellent filter which is functional and well made - certainly better made than almost every other canister filter available today. Although I run through the main improvements in this video a video from Fluval explains exactly what all the improvements are (better and in more detail than me): bit.ly/2Fea4AP The set up method of this filter will also apply to all the filters in the range (with varying amounts of media required). WHAT IS A FULL CYCLE? *If someone tells you the aquarium nitrogen cycle ends with the production of nitrate that is incorrect - please read on* A full cycle is completed by bacteria - the aerobic part of biological filtration which processes ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate followed by an anaerobic part which processes nitrate into soluble nitrogen which bubbles off to the atmosphere. Therefore it requires a suitable amount of excellent quality filter media to be able to provide the environment for both aerobic AND anaerobic bacteria - that is what Biohome ultimate does perfectly but even with such good media there are limitations and we recommend the following amounts for different stocking scenarios: (1 US gallon = 3.8 litres) (1kg = 2.2 lbs) Average community tropical aquarium = 1kg per 100 litres Average coldwater aquarium = 1kg - 1.5kg per 100 litres Predator aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres Large cichlid aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres Malawi / Tanganyikan aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres Marine aquarium = 1.5kg - 2kg per 100 litres Average mixed fish pond = 1kg per 200 litres Average koi pond = 1kg per 150 litres You may be disagreeing with the above figures but remember that they are for a FULL CYCLE not half a job - achieving 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite is quite easy since aerobic bacteria grows freely on any surface but the anaerobic bacteria responsible for COMPLETING the cycle needs more a specialized habitat. Size a filter properly, set it up sensibly and you will have perfect water - it's that simple....and your filter won't be the dreaded 'Nitrate factory'. This series of videos is all about trying to squeeze more efficiency out of internal and external aquarium filters which generally have a limited filtering capacity - If you have a filter you'd like me to feature in a video then please contact me on: sales@filterpro.co.uk 07772848730 (Richard) Anyone who sends a filter (UK only at present) will have it upgraded and returned to them for free and the only cost you will pay is how much it costs to ship it to me - I'm helping to boost your filter and the resulting videos will hopefully be useful to viewers all over the world so it's a win/win. The following videos will be useful to anyone interested in learning more about filtration, bacteria and making the conditions for your fish as good as possible: Sizing a canister properly and filter set up: goo.gl/om19un Looking INSIDE different filter media: goo.gl/hZWS6c Bacteria and filter media: goo.gl/123gAF How to clean an aquarium: goo.gl/bPMhvh Aquarium tips / filtration playlist: goo.gl/pXgqVj This channel is purely a hobby for me so I will never ask viewers to donate money for any of my projects or charge anyone for information - information should be shared freely and I certainly don't consider myself an 'expert' in anything I pursue as a hobby so please do your own research, never accept anything as 'fact', reject anyone claiming to be some sort of authority or 'expert' and make your own minds up about anything you wish to study. We all are on a long path of learning......... RECOMMENDED AMAZON PRODUCTS: amzn.to/2Mw81OU INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/2KAk1fx FILMING EQUIPMENT: Panasonic HC-VX870 HD camcorder geni.us/3UwE +Rode stereo microphone: geni.us/4OL Zomei Z666 tripod: geni.us/1a1af3 Manfrotto MTPIXI-B PIXI mini tripod: geni.us/87f7 If you've enjoyed this video please check out the playlists on my channel for hundreds more - on a variety of subjects. Feel free to share or link any of my videos on facebook, twitter, forums etc. for the benefit of anyone you think may also enjoy watching. See you next time. Pondguru

Just bought one of these after watching a number of your reviews and have purchased from you the upgrades you suggest. Great video. Expert advise 👍🏻😀

Love it when you ramble . That's when you give your best info 😃 BTW guys 07 sponges fit your 06 so that's a plus if you can't get bumpy foam 👍

Just purchased a fluval 307 and I found your video very helpful thank you

Brilliant Video, I'm setting mine up today and feeling much more confident now!

I run a fluval 407 on my reef and it’s working brilliantly and the tank is thriving

I bought a 200L tank few days ago and started fishless cycle.bought a fluval 207 filter..and today ordered biohome ultimate media from filter pro.thank you SIR.many thanks.

Good info and all completely correct. It is worth mentioning that bacteria also populate the substrate, rocks and wood in your tanks. Heavily planted environments also take care of nitrates... in fact... they need some for nutrition.

Awesome Video! I have two 207's for my two 20Longs. Love them. Different media per tanks needs. I'm very distracted by the Vienna Sausages behind the "Pondguru" sign. LOL

Okay. I'm pimping my Fluval 207. Just went to Great Wave and got some "biohome." Been a long time since I set up a tank, and the filter was a little intimidating since I'd always had the hang-on-back dealios, but watching you mess around with it made me much more comfortable with it. Love the video, love the accent, thank you!!!

I really like your style and the linking of other videos to avoid repeating same stuff that the company already said. Super plus in efficiency. I am of the opinion that sponges are wonderful bio medium too and for that I use the 30ppi. When looking for porous material the sponges are definitely one. And the Hole's size guarantee that it doesn't fill up easily, killing any bacteria trapped behind

Thanks for the video. I always enjoy watching what you post. Just purchased a Fluval 207. I am using the bio-gravel and it does not appear to slow the filter down at all. This 207 is really quiet and powerful. I have it setup in my bedroom. It is not in a cabinet. I have to get right on top of it to hear anything.

“I don’t wanna try and make myself look clever because I’m not.” Well you’re right about that, you’re not just clever, you’re downright genius and more importantly, experienced. Great videos, wish i’d seen this before buying my 307 so i could do everything before starting it up rather than after

I love these videos. Keep up the amazing, knowledgeable video's Master Pondguru..... thanks to your videos I now have the understanding that there is no such thing as over filtration on a tank, but there can be such a thing as too much flow. I have a Fluval 307 on my planted 20g tall Neon Tetra tank. I have been unable to get the coarse fine and medium grade filters so I instead acquired a second mechanical filtration set for the Fluval 307 and am using the stock prefilters, a pair of the black course bio-foams in the bottom and middle tray topped with a fine pad then top tray filled with your bio-gravel. And of course the fluval edge pre-filter sponge on the intake. I'll be getting the correct filter pads here soon so I'll be also getting more bio-gravel to add to the middle tray. Love the videos and the info as well as the best aquarium bio-media in the world!!

I pimped my 206 and am very happy !! Added a foam to intake tube too. A lot less muck.

I just got one for my 26 gallon for an amazing price, can’t wait to get my bio home ultimate

I'm learning a bit every day about fish keeping. Gonna binge on your videos cheers boss!

Great videos. Thank you for the straight talk.

I wish I have a Fluval 207 for my Aquarium Tank. Very nice External Filter. Very Informative video. Thank you.

Excellent video. Just found you. Great advice. I have a 207 and will be upgrading the media. Very many thanks

Thank you, very much! Good explanations. I might buy the FX4, though :)

Good day to you Richard !! 💚🐡🐠 another excellent pimp my filter video today 🐠🐡💚 !!

Thank you!! I’ve got my Fluval 206 media all the wrong way round 🤣 will change it tomorrow!

Another informative video. Thanks mate

i love it when i get information straight and factual minus all the bullshit. Thank you i shall now order some new media.

Hi, after watching your video, I purchased a new Fluval 307 filter and a V2ectron UV filter for my well stocked and planted 110 ltr fresh water aquarium which had been running with a Fluval U2 internal filter. Before I used the 307, I carried out youir mods. I added loads more filter media that looks like pumice, a lot better than the supplied media. I added half the media that was in my fluval U2 filter to seed it. (I had pimped that as per your vid too) and ran with both the internal and external filters for 3 weeks.I tested the water daily for the first fortnight, ammonia 0.0, Nitrite was a little up and down in the first 10 days, varying from 0.0 to 0.25, but settled down to 0.0 after that. Nitrate stayed at 0.0 throughout. After 10 days, I turned off the internal U2 filter and monitored levels twice daily (prob overkill) and was happy that the 307 was now doing all the work on it's own. One problem that I had been experiencing was Algae on the glass that my cleaner fish could not cope with. Being a relative beginner, I took advice from my local stockist to check the Phosphate levels, which I found to be horribly high straight out of my tap! I put two Fluval phosphate removal sachets in the filter and added some liquid Phos-out4 Phosphate remover. I had been running the LED lights for 12 hrs on/12 off via a timer, so I bought a sunrise/sunset progammable timer from Amazon (15.00) and set the max brightness to 50% with 8 hrs on 16 off And so far after 2 weeks like this, everything is really good. Lowering the light helps reduce the algae, but still gives enough for the plant groth. During all this, I was doing 20% water change a week, with a 60% change at 5 weeks. Thanks for your brill videos, they were the deciding factor for me in choosing both filters. Great job!!

Back again with a pimped filter 👍

I have two 207s on my 36g bow front. I swapped the ceramic for lava rock and tossed the carbon for extra poly fill (heavily planted tank). I run them at about half power to cut back the flow. This also allows me to do maintenance individually and not risk crashing my cycle. Love this filter!

Awesome mate thanks for the video👍

That was a great video Richard. I really enjoy the way you explain stuff. Your right about people not using enough biohome, I'm guilty of doing the same. I tried to use about two kilo on my 245 litre reef tank with no luck. The only reason I was trying to use less biohome is because it makes the filter quite heavy. Anyway I'm having to down size sadly to a smaller tank that's only 125 litres so maybe I will try again with the fluval 207 and biohome ultimate as I wont need so much. The only problem I can see with the fluval is it has a lot of mechanical media which isn't very good in a reef tank so I will have to find a way of running the filter with less mechanical media.

Excellent Video on setup!!! I have my 2 top trays full of Matrix then a polishing pad and purigen on top.

I’m running my reef tank with a 406 and it’s working wonders my corals are thriving... and people say canisters cause problems

I can verify that biohome does exactly what Richard says. I've been using it for about 6 months now. I haven't done a water change in 3 weeks, I did an API master test and nitrates is showing 0. I was amazed, any setup can get rid of ammonia and nitrite but seeing 0 nitrates is the key.

Hi, in your 206 pimp video you never put the carbon in, nice to see it included this time. 👍 Also on the other video it was mentioned that old carbon can release toxins back and i think you said do not put above bio as it could leak down onto it. !! In my fluval U2 the bio appears to be last. I have pimped my 206 (with help from yourself) I might try and fit more bio like you have.

I always go for the next size up recommended for any tank. It pays off in the long run. Currently using the Fluval 407s on 240l tanks.

I had a EF from all pond but it was a refurbished one so sent that junk back, play safe pay the extra 30 for this Fluval. But do grab a Booster filter from All Ponds, use that and take out the pads on the Fluval and fill that side with even more Ultimate etc.

Great explanation. It's beneficial rambling

I have been using bio-home ultra in both my AP2000+ex filters and it certainly does what Richard says.

Great video

Good review!

I’m glad you addressed this Richard as I use 10kg of Biohome Ultimate in my 330LITRE Fancy Goldfish tank with 2 Ext filters, both with booster filters for the mechanical purpose. I heard Cory from Aquarium Co-Op saying biohome doesn’t support AB in a canister too. I love the Co-Op and also Biohome so thanks for clearing this Up!

I know I’m late to the party but only been in the hobby 6 months. I’m gonna be filling my canister with biohome over the next couple of months (got to sort 1 tray out at a time so I can maintain bacteria)

Great video, enjoyed the long rambling lol

Great filters fluval I only wish the bio media trays for the fx6 were bigger

Love the videos

I wish you tested these out. Not necessarily prove each build obtains a full cycle (that would take ages), but running this on a tank for an hour after feeding then opening it back up again would at least demonstrate if heavier particles are getting trapped where they’re supposed to be. Just my $0.02

Dude ! Great video great advice very informative Thk you sir

Any chance you can pimp the Fluval 307? I see they have changed some of the sponges.

Had a 407 for around 6 weeks now. Pimped it with biohome as soon as I got it. It appears to be a really good filter. Seems like they may have listened to you Richard with the addition of the bumpy foams.

Thanks. Great info. Is it worth setting up a canister prefilter and increasing the bio media In the fluval? It would be easier to clean the mechanical filters.

great video, I just bout 2 fluval 407s for my 90 gallon discus tanks, along with 10 kilograms of the biohome ultimate media, for my other filters as well. going to see if it helps with nitrate, I do 50% water changes every two days on my discus tanks to keep my nitrates at zero, I also use 4 inch sand beds on all my tanks.

Great tutorial and presentation, keep up the great work. I'm having serious trouble trying to buy a new ceramic shaft for my 207, no where sells them, any advice greatly appreciate. Cheers

I am wondering if the foam in these filters need to be soaking in treated water before implementing the filter. I have a 25 gallon tank and I am switching from an in tank pump with a sponge surround filter to the Fluval 207. I am planning to run both for about 1-2 months until the new filter setups up properly. Also I like the new medium bumpy foam you added into the Fluval 207 in this pimp my filter setup. I am not in the UK and I am not seeing this type of foam at a partner link on your website. Any other suggestions. Thank for all the good information and experience. I am excited to move to this cannister filter and I just hope it goes well. I am ordering the Biohome Ultimate and the Biohome super gravel. Thanks

I got the 407 yesterday for my 200L tank (1 large red belly piranha and ~20 black neon tetras). Based on your previous videos, I have filled the trays with about 2kg of biohome media. I have also added a medium coarse filter between the fine filter and the coarse filter at the bottom tray. I skipped the carbon for max media use. I haven't changed the side foams though, should I? Also, I haven't used the primer. Initial burst had a lot of air bubbles but it settled to normal flow pretty quickly. Thank you so much for these videos.

Hi mate hope you can answer this question. I have a 207 and my issue is with the media basket with the lid on it makes a loud noise when the fillter is running. If i remove the media basket lid and switch it back on the noise is gone. Do you see any problems with me not using the lid ?? Is it really needed mate. Hope you can help

Would a good option be the quartz bio balls (u-media) for the two

Another informative video. Thinking of upgrading my 406. Looks like I will be now. Request- what’s the chances in seeing you pimp up a fluval curve tank or equivalent?

Great video! What do you prefer instead of carbon?

Eheim Experience 250 vs Fluval 207. Which one do you prefer if you have a 60P aquarium in your bedroom?

I have an aqueon qietflow 300 cannister filter. I am in Canada I dunno if you have them in the UK. But a pimped aqueon filter I would absolutely love to see.

I'd love to try out the biohome in my 307, only place I can find that sells it (Amazon) seems that it's over priced. $26 USD for one pound/ half kilo

Got a second hand Jewel 180 vision 3 months ago, only have an Ocean Free Hydra 30 internal and want to upgrade,trying to learn it all after not having one for 30yrs,would the 207 be adequate? was going to get one with your Freshwater 1kg External Filter Upgrade Kits for it. Also been reading about problems with them leaking from a poor seal at the top or in general? or would you recommend a different more than this one?may be the Oase BioMaster Thermo 350? Thank you for some great videos.

My man can I or anyone else run two canisters in series I've 2 one in the shed unused and was thing of getting the allpondsolutions pre filter canister thing but could I just link the two of the canisters together and get same effect or am I barking up the wrong tree

I have an established tropical aquarium. My tank size is 240 litre and I have an old Eheim external filter which needs replacing. What is involved in a complete filter change?

Just a question.. I have this filter.. Would you put the fine filter pad in the bottom cartridge so it clear water going through the media? Or put the fine pad above the media?

@Pondguru - Do you recommend anything to change the outlet/egress valve to a spray bar? Im setting up a 20g long (75L) for a Betta and plant tank. I do plan to put about 10 tetra, 1 Betta, and cleaner crew so the bioload should be medium? The issue is the 207 is stated to give "too much" flow and I wanted to know a recommendation to slow down the flow?

Ola. For 370 discus tank. for a minimalist tank with 6 discus and some neos, with a clear bottom, and trunks with some plants, what else would you recommend: a FX6 or 2x 407 from fluval? Very Tks for your videos.

I’ve just got a 207 and unlike the 206 you pimped, you didn’t alter the sponges in the bottom tray. Is there a reason for this?

Hi Pond Guru I was wondering if you can tell me the best equivalent filter to the fx6 for the price thanks in advance

Is this filter adequate for a 29 US gallon long tank with one lil 3" Jack Dempsey with an attitude problem? Oh and where can I buy those bio lava logs? I can't find them anywhere here in the U of S and A. Thank you so much for your help in advance.

Wonderful info in this video and even just in the description portion. Thanks for your expertise and willingness to provide such fascinating detail. I am planning on setting up a 29 gallon planted tank and am not sure if paying just a little more for the 307 instead of the 207 is worth it or not.

Hi Richard I have some big square foam pads black course white medium and blue fine witch wood be best for my fillter as on video blue are one side white the other side thanks

Thank you for all the great videos - very well made and explained in great detail. Following on from the video above I now have new Eheim Mech and Bio medias for my 407. It's running about 6 week with the media which was supplied with the unit so based on your advice this media is goign in the bin. Can I just replace it with the new media or is it worth while leaving a small amount of old media with the new to encourage bacteria growth? Thanks again

Hi Richard, I've just pimped my fluval 207 with one of your kits which is working great. Just wanted your opinion on using a canister filter for oxygenation. I've set my outlet to break the water surface which is producing lots of tiny bubbles all through the tank but I see lots of videos saying you should use air pumps. Any chance of a video on your thoughts?

I got 2 phosphate pads with my fluval.. does it matter what tray i put them in?? Can i put them on the bottom of one of the trays with another media on top?

Do you have a video on how to replace the black ribbed Fluval pipes with clear vinyl tubing for lily pipes?

hi buddy just waiting on your bio home coming through and was wondering. Because you said the 207 will do aprx 100l. my tank is 130l would this be a big issue or would it just mean more water changes? as I just got this filter 3 or so week ago. my tank isn't stocked much only 6 yoyo loaches I ruby shark 1 angel & 2 guppies

I'm researching good filters for my African bullfrog enclosure. I dont understand the pricing because the 207 only costs £10 more than the 107. Why even bother with the 107?

How to replace the prime assembly for this 07 series. Please advice. Thank you.

Because of your video I purchased this model for my 29 gallon community and it’s a fantastic filter. I’m also using the biohome media and it has greatly improved my nitrate level. I cannot find the polishing pad anywhere for the 207 and am wondering if you know if the polishing pad for the 206 would fit the 207? Great video thank you!

Hi Guru.. Can i use seachem matrix rather than biohome?

Hey, thanks for your great videos. Have you ever heard of a faulty 307? I've had mine for 2 months on a 40 gallon tank. It often spews out gas bubbles. I can see small bits of food particles. I've opened it and adjusted it several times. There's no growth on the bio filter material. Theres basically no filtered stuff in the bottom filter material layer. I feel like it's not circulating water through the filters at all. I think it just keeps water on the top, going basically from intake straight over to the outlet. Any thoughts?

Any chance you can review and possibly show an upgrade for an Aquamanta EFX 200 ? I've just upgraded to an 80ltr tank (2nd hand) from small fish tanks that you had to buy filters for, so it's a big move for me (fingers crossed). Ps all the best to you and everyone subscribed for 2020 👍

Hi buddy I have a Fluval Rio 90 tank and I have just bought a second hand 107 filter. Can I put the inlet and outlets on the short side of the tank as it will fit better. I have an internal filter ATM and I’m planning to put new media in as you recommended and have the 107 running as well for a few weeks.

Does anyone know if it's ok not to have the Media Basket Cover on the top of the media? When I had mine it made a very loud noise so I'm assuming against the propeller.

I am thinking of getting an 07 filter but unsure of size. I have a 200litre tank. I use biohome as media. I keep small American chichlids and odd tetra etc etc and have a planted tank. Can you please advise best model.

So lava rocks help with the reduction of Nitrites ?

I got a 207 today in very good condition for £35

At last someone tries to explain the little nuances of the water flow within this canister. I never understood how the water could be disciplined to go over this coarse pad and then the other and then go to the other side with no bypass...But it does seem to me that there's too much room between the sides of the trays and the canister wall. Maybe there there's bypass.

Dude fluval stole your ideas about the 6 series with the blue bio Foam! I hope you got a tip!

Do you ever need to change the biohome ultimate?

Can the sponge tray somehow be replaced by a heater?

Hi I am coming back to tropical fish after years away i am thinking of a 60 ltre tall (Dennerle) tank with good filtration and good lights for plants. Should i use the 107 or 207 fluval filter or go for an Eheim Ecco Pro 130, Both seem to be good according to your videos. Many thanks for your reviews they are much appreciated, Sean

I agree on quality.I still have my eheim 2217s great filters, the new eheims not so great quality. that's why I switched over to the fluvals. don't like the fx series, cant get enough bio media in them, and the design is terrible.

I have this filter for a Malawi tank is how u have set it up on this video best for them ?

I currently own a Juwel Primo 70l tank which came with the combined internal filter/heater setup. I’m thinking of upgrading to an external filter to help increase my flow a little and also space within the tank. Would you recommend the 207 for this? I will be looking to upgrade the tank also at the end of the year to something around 180l. Thanks.

Is the Biohome Ultimate suitable for Fresh Water Tanks ? I see on amazon it's called Biohome Ultimate Marine filter media . Thanks , trying to cycle my 260 L freshwater tank with a Fluval 307 filter. Thanks in advance.

how does this filter fare with the aquael ultamax 1000

How often should you change the biotope ultimate media.

Hi I have a pound of 3000 gal and have 3 filters which I think needs up grading can you advise what filter you would use and I do like the shower filters as well please can you help. I have 1520 large coffee and other things I just want lire. Your help would be appreciated