THINKING OF AN FX5

[Bsixxx]

thinking about adding an fx5 or two to my 210, what do you think?

I allready have an xp4 and two AC110's, plus I do a 25-30% water change every other day and a 65-75% water change every week.

water is crystal clear and water parems are almost perfect, but i want to add one or two of these to lesson the water changes, so my question is would these help, and if so how much?


thanks in advanced.

[Wolf3101]

One Fx5 would be enough mechanical filtration for a 210 especially with all of your other filters but I can't see it altering your need for water changes. Even if you have adiqiuate filtration and a well cycled tank...nothing you've mentioned will change your Nitrate situation. actully because of the backflush feature on the Fx5 thats really all the mechanical filtration you need. The xp4 would be redundant and you could use the ac 110's as predominatly bio filtration.

[Bsixxx]

ok thank you
:D

[12 Volt Man]

but careful: adding more filters won't lessen your water changes..

it is still a closed system.

the extra filter will help to keep your water clear, and clear it up faster, but it won't eliminate nitrates from the tank, which is the main purpose of doing water changes :)

[Bsixxx]

but careful: adding more filters won't lessen your water changes..

it is still a closed system.

the extra filter will help to keep your water clear, and clear it up faster, but it won't eliminate nitrates from the tank, which is the main purpose of doing water changes :)

yes I know, i just wanted to lesson my water changes, because i do like 10-20 percent every other day and sometimes every day just for the hell of it.

[Wolf3101]

If you run a hose outside and use the backflush feature to aid in water changes you can probubly make your life a lot simpler..That's what I'm planning to do.

[Bsixxx]

oh really?

well i will keep that in mind, one question i was just looking at some things and came across this http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3627&N=2004+113427

and i was just wondering how would these help, and how do they work?

sorry im only 16

[amehel0]

if you want to lesson w/c's do 35-50% every week and thats all.

[12 Volt Man]

if you want to lesson w/c's do 35-50% every week and thats all.


agreed. one good water change per week should be enough.

if you need to do more than that you are probably overfeeding or way overstocked..

i wouldn't worry about those inline filters.

just watch your feeding and do at least a 1/3d (up to 1/2) water change per week and you should be fine.

good luck!

[Wolf3101]

I have to agree. I'm a lot more lightly stocked than most and I only do 25% water changes once a month on average based on the results on my nitrate tests.

[StingrayFanatic]

Add FX5 if funds allow u can't be overfiltered. Do You could do 50% wc weekly.

[Bsixxx]

really?

hmm well if i only do that 50% w/c a week my water is clear but not crystal, how it is when i do my usual water change scedule.

so thats why i asked what filter would be the best for that?

or would a sump/ wet dry be the best?

[12 Volt Man]

if you are doing a 50% water change with good filtration and your tank is not crystal clear you are probably overfeeding.

for reference, here is a shot of my overstocked 90, with giant fish. Your water should look like this all the time.

if not, re-evaluate your feeding :)

[Bsixxx]

yeah thats why,


i just relized that i over feed
;[


i feed my big boys sometimes 4 times a day, cutting it down to one or twice every other day, think that will be fine?

[12 Volt Man]

feed them once per day. seriously.

they will still grow big and healthy on one feeding a day.

and your water quality will improve by leaps and bounds, leading to even healthier fish :)

[Gr8KarmaSF]

i agree with one feeding a day with one day of fasting as well...

[Bsixxx]

allright,

do i just stop and feed only once right away or slowly start to do that?

[Gr8KarmaSF]

should be fine if you start right away...

[Bsixxx]

should be fine if you start right away...

allright will do,


umm like what time should i feed em?
like in the morning, most active, or before i go to bed?

[12 Volt Man]

anytime as long as it is not right after they wake up or right before they go to bed.

I usually feed my fish at around 8pm.