Finnex PX-360 Compact Canister Filter Review

Whether you’re investing in a filter to suit your brand new aquarium or are trying to upgrade the cleaning capacity of your present tank, the Finnex PX-360 Compact Canister Filter may be just what you’re seeking.

It is inexpensive, easy to clean, compact, and very quiet. With all that said, not everyone speaks highly of this canister.

Some users found that it had a weak flow, that it broke after only six months of use, and that it leaked. Is that enough to pass this canister filter by, or are those the rare exceptions in an otherwise great purchase?

Before you make your final decision, let’s take a closer look at the Finnex PX-360 Compact Canister Filter.

Finnex PX-360 Compact Canister Filter: The Details

Specs:

• Weight: 3.5 lbs.
• Dimensions: 4.8 x 7.2 x 8.1 inches.
• Filter Capacity: 25 gallons.
• Flow Rate: 95 gph.
• Media Stages: Activated carbon floss, sponge strainer, and ceramic rings.
• Self-Priming or Standard: Self-priming.
• Warranty: Six months.

Features

Media

No need for secondary purchases – all your necessary media comes with the Finnex PX-360 Compact Canister Filter.

In addition, you’ll receive activated carbon floss, a sponge strainer, and ceramic rings. The components are all held in specialized trays to make removal, additions, and cleaning a breeze!

With three different media stages, the water will be as clean as possible.

Construction

This canister filter is made almost entirely of strong ABS material, which is relied upon as both durable and rigid. This ensures it can take a few bumps, drops, and scrapes without cracking.

Since a quality filter is a hassle to replace, you’ll be glad to know this product is designed to last quite a while.

Capacity

While the Finnex PX-360 Compact Canister Filter does boast of its compact nature, that doesn’t harm its ability to provide quality results. The filter can run through 95 gallons of water per hour!

Since it’s best suited for 25-gallon tanks, this means it can entirely cycle your aquarium nearly four times in a single hour. Not bad for a compact canister filter, right?

Accessories

• Water intake strainer.
• Spray bar.
• Filter hanger.

Finnex PX-360 Compact Canister Filter Review

The Positives

Inexpensive

Since filters typically cost hundreds of dollars, finding one that is under $50  is fantastic. Even better, the Finnex PX-360 doesn’t skimp on the extras.

Included in the package are all the media you’ll require, a few accessories, and a durable filter that can run through 95 gallons of water per hour.

Since you won’t have to go out in search of your own media or accessories, this saves you both time and money, great for those who are busy or on a budget.

For those just starting out, an affordable filter makes it all the easier to get started without burning a hole in your wallet. Users loved the price and appreciated that they didn’t receive a cheaply-made product either.

Easy to Set-Up

Users found the set-up process to be very streamlined. After hanging the filter on the side of your tank, you can put together the inlet pipes.

After this, you’ll assemble the suction cups, clips, elbow, strainer, and tubing that comes with the filter and use as much of the piping as you need.

Next, you will assemble the outlet pipes with the suction cups, clips, spray bar (included), stopper, and elbow.

Then, connect the inlet and outlet tubing in the canister cover. Finally, you need only remove the knob on the filter to pour in water and then plug the filter in. It’s pretty simple!

Easy to Maintain

Testers appreciated how easy this filter is to maintain. There’s no need to dismantle the entire thing just to clean the filter or add more media.

First, you’ll clean the filter with a soft cloth. To clean the media, you will unplug the filter, remove the piping, take off the filter cover, and remove the media by taking out the trays.

Then you can replace or clean anything that needs attention and place the trays back into their correct chambers.

A filter that’s easy to maintain makes it easier on both beginners and busy aquarium owners. You won’t have to worry about this filter too much.

Compact

A large filter dangling off your tank isn’t very attractive. Luckily, this filter takes up very little space – as its ‘compact’ name suggests.

Aquarium accessories can quickly become cluttered and turn your pretty set-up into an eyesore. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the Finnex PX-360.

It can be either clipped onto your aquarium or set next to it and, once in place, is very discreet, allowing you to easily glance past it and enjoy your fish.

Testers have also noted that this canister is lightweight, putting less pressure on your aquarium and making it easier to maintain.

Quiet

The loud buzzing of an aquarium filter may keep you up at night or create an annoying distraction in your home. We’re happy to report that the Finnex canister filter, however, is very quiet.

You won’t have to worry about this canister filter turning your aquarium into an annoying one. It provides only a gentle buzz to contrast its strong cleaning abilities, ensuring you can place it anywhere in your home with minimal disturbance.

Versatile

This canister filter not only excels with one type of water – but with many. Should you upgrade to a saltwater aquarium in the future or wish to move it to a freshwater tank, this filter can handle both.

You won’t have to buy a secondary filter as you explore fishkeeping, and there’s no worry of the filter breaking down should you test it in a new water type.

This saves you money and allows for you to be more flexible within the hobby while trying new things.

Durable Construction

A number of users commented on how well built this canister filter is. It felt sturdy right out of the box, ensuring users of its durability.

Many users have had this filter in their tank for years without a problem,  and they note that it still requires little maintenance to keep running even after using it for a long period of time.

Finnex also gives customers a 180-day warranty that protects against any defects caused by manufacturing. Should you find a fault with your filter, the company promises to repair or replace it, giving you fewer things to worry about.

The Negatives

Weak Flow

While the Finnex PX-360 is known as having a powerful capacity, some testers complained of a very weak flow.

This means it does cycle quickly, but without the degree of force necessary to get all the waste or debris out of the water it cleans.

So, while it can cycle a 25-gallon tank nearly four times in an hour, it will need to do this several times over several hours for positive effects.

If you’re expecting outstanding results in a short amount of time, you’ll be disappointed, as this filter has punch, but at a slow pace.

Early Retirement

A few users also had their filter break after six months. This may be due to a manufacturing defect, as the ABS material is designed to be long-lasting.

However, it’s worth noting that other, more expensive filters typically pair ABS with other materials to give their products added durability, so this may be a “you get what you pay for” situation.

Most users didn’t have this issue, but it’s still worth being aware of.

Disconnecting Hoses

Some users had issues with the hoses disconnecting on their own. If you don’t keep the filter level with the aquarium lid, this can place additional strain on the piping and cause it to slip.

As a result, you’ll have to reconnect them and clean up any mess, while also enduring the lack of cleaning work the filter performed in the meantime.

This may not be a deal-breaker for some, but for those who cannot secure their filter at a level position, it will definitely be a frustration.

Watch for Leaks

A few users also had the filter crack and leak. This was by no means a problem that everyone had since it appears to be a manufacturing defect, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless.

The last thing you want your filter to do is leak, so this is a con for you to measure against the collection of pros.

Poor Instructions

A number of users pointed out that the instructions that came along with the Finnex PX-360 weren’t any help.  The instructions are poorly written, and the pictures and text are organized in a confusing way.

Fortunately, this canister filter is pretty easy to get going on your own, and if you do need some assistance, there are videos online that can help you along.

That being said, you should be able to rely on the company you’ve purchased from to guide you on how to use their product effectively.

Here’s a video showing what the Finnex PX-360 looks like out of the box.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjlGdd1YbKc

Overall Verdict

After going over all the positives and negatives, we are recommending the Finnex PX-360 Compact Canister Filter.

While some users had notable issues, there were many more who loved this filter and swore by its quality performance.

If you’re concerned about the defects and the occasional mishap with the hoses, it may be wise to shop elsewhere for a more expensive model.

On the other hand, if you can look beyond this cheap canister filter’s flaws for its affordability, at the very least, you’ll have a quiet, versatile filter for your aquarium.

Where to Buy the Finnex PX-360 Compact Canister Filter

Finnex may not be a known name in the market, but they’ve been getting praise and positive feedback from a large number of customers online.

With a wide variety of products available on Amazon, Finnex focuses on modern aquarium accessories that are affordable, yet made with quality.

Even with positive feedback, finding Finnex products may prove hard. Since Finnex seems to only sell their products online through third-party retailers, you probably won’t find the Finnex PX-360 Compact Canister Filter in-store.

For now, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailer.

• Aquarium Co-op (from $56.49)

And you’ll also be able to find this cheap canister filter online at Amazon.

---

That’s the end of our Finnex PX-360 review. Tempted to give it a try?