Lifegard Aquatics Compact System

This item doesn't come to look like the picture on advertising. It missing the black base to screw the system on as picture1. The thread on top of mechanical filter was worn out as picture 2. Inside the mechanical filter was broken as picture 3 & 4. Before I bought this item, I posted the question this set is come in as the picture and just "plug and play ( that means I do not need to assemble together) and got the answer: When I purchased this a couple years ago it came all assembled. By bdh on September 1, 2021. Now I bought this item and came like that? Missing, damaged, broken and the main thing is I need to assemble it all together.

I had the inline version of this system and the compact seemed like a good replacement when the old one started to show wear. I did not get what is shown here technically as the back connection was different but better to me. The mounting plate that is blue here and looks like it makes it all compact I did not receive. Instead I received poorly cut plastic slabs. Two that are not as professional looking as what is in the product photo. The parts where all just thrown in a box and shipped it appeared. All the fittings were just thrown in and the box mashed in empty. The glass protective tube for the sterilizer was broken so I had to use the one from my old system. Instructions are fair, sure would be nice to have tube videos like most manufacturers.

Description is less than clear and it arrived uncounted on the black platform shown in the picture.

Initial impressions are: Cleans the water to my high expectation, however, it's not as quiet as I had hoped. The kit came with MORE than everything I needed to setup intake and return with flexibility for flow patterns and rates.One thing I must say, is that I don't feel that this filter is best suited for use by itself. Using a prefilter, such as sponge filters, before the lifeguard will make the setup much easier to maintain. That being said, service is quick and easy on this unit.I love my Lifegard system. It has plenty of space for chemical media, gets the heater out of my tank, sterilizes the water and keeps it crystal clear. Fluval and the sort of canister filters are great and I use them in other applications but this Lifeguard system is different - it has it's advantages and disadvantages compared to canister. In my case I take the shorter service cycles (requires more frequent cleaning compared to canister)as a plus because the filter will not allow you to leave muck rotting inside of it while is circulates water through decaying detritus.

don't do it. the parts are cheap suck and break, the system used to be bulletproof now it's a nightmare; with leaky joint that bleed air it's been a never ending problem.

The filter itself is amazing, wonderful construction, and saves space and keeps it organized under the cabinet.A couple things i wish i knew before i bought this:The extra stuff that comes with it pump, pipe fittings, and inflow/outflow are worthless, pure junk. I recommend you buy just the filter and save yourself some money.Here is why: My understanding why someone would buy the set is to just "plug and play" but thats not the case because it comes all apart and you have to put it gother yourself. so if you don't want to do some plumbing forget it. The pump is even close to being "quiet" is very loud, it vibrates and i'm having leak issues from the bottom seal. The inflow/outflow are massive, ugly and bulky.The lifegard filters are amazing and i totally recommend it, but buy it individually and do the plumbing yourself.

This system allows the user to address the maintenance in a more direct way. You only deal with the part you need to, mechanical, chemical, or UV. This flexibility and being able to set up your system to fit your needs gives you tank the less disruptions when you do the maintenance. It is the way filtering should be.