Going to try some quilt batting in my FX5

**13razorbackfan** · 01-22-2013, 1:57 AM

Migrated over here from another forum so this is my first post.

I have a FX5 that I am trying to get the most out of. The tank in question is a 75g and heavily filtered with a FX5 and a Aquatop CF500UV. I have a total of 3500g of biomax rings combined in both filters. I am due to clean the Aquatop tomorrow so I figured I would do all this at one time. I have a pretty heavy load with fish and recently my water clarity isn't quite what it used to be before adding a bunch of new fish.

So right now I have three cut to fit blue/white sponges in each tray with 500g of biomax in each tray as well. The blue/white pads I cut to fit off a large roll I ordered online. So what I have decided to do is use quilt batting. I bought a large roll of Polyfil "extra loft" quilt batting at walmart. It comes in a very large sheet rolled up. So I am going to put a single layer on the outside of the 6 sponges to kind of fill that void where a lot of water bypasses. Then I was going to fill the top tray with 3 layers of blue/white filter pads cut to fit. I was then going to put quilt batting in the middle basket. I am not sure what I want to do in the bottom tray as I will likely just fill it to the top with the biomax.

My question is this. Do you guys who use this stuff fluff the batting or leave it tight in sheets and then stack the sheets on top of each other. I was thinking about fluffing like filter floss and putting it in the middle tray without stuffing it in too tight. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks

**bbortko** · 01-22-2013, 8:57 AM

I would start small and add more when needed, its more convenient to have the water less polished and adjust when practical than cramming and having to rip it apart because flow is too low. I use micron sheets(filter sock material) and only need a single layer across the sponge on a ac110 to keep my 125 spotless. The batting should have minimal affect on flow if you place it around the baskets and sounds like a great idea, after that I'd add a single layer on top off the first basket to keep the biomax clean and test it before adding more.

**rob1984** · 01-22-2013, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by 13razorbackfan

Migrated over here from another forum so this is my first post.

I have a FX5 that I am trying to get the most out of. The tank in question is a 75g and heavily filtered with a FX5 and a Aquatop CF500UV. I have a total of 3500g of biomax rings combined in both filters. I am due to clean the Aquatop tomorrow so I figured I would do all this at one time. I have a pretty heavy load with fish and recently my water clarity isn't quite what it used to be before adding a bunch of new fish.

So right now I have three cut to fit blue/white sponges in each tray with 500g of biomax in each tray as well. The blue/white pads I cut to fit off a large roll I ordered online. So what I have decided to do is use quilt batting. I bought a large roll of Polyfil "extra loft" quilt batting at walmart. It comes in a very large sheet rolled up. So I am going to put a single layer on the outside of the 6 sponges to kind of fill that void where a lot of water bypasses. Then I was going to fill the top tray with 3 layers of blue/white filter pads cut to fit. I was then going to put quilt batting in the middle basket. I am not sure what I want to do in the bottom tray as I will likely just fill it to the top with the biomax.

My question is this. Do you guys who use this stuff fluff the batting or leave it tight in sheets and then stack the sheets on top of each other. I was thinking about fluffing like filter floss and putting it in the middle tray without stuffing it in too tight. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks

lol you finally moved to this site after i mentioned to ya a few times in our convo's

only thing you need to check and be sure of for quilt batting is that there is no chemical addivtives that would leach into your tank... i bought a roll of filter floss 1"thick by 1'ft wide by 10-12ft long for 10$ and thats makes 20-24 pads.... i use one pad per each row and and rarely have to change it out, maybe once a month thats with 3500g of bio max in both fx5's and almost 2 litre of seachem matrix, i dont ever notice reduced flow either but they keep the tank very clear and clean and thats with my stock i have that you know of

quite a heavy load .... i have seen some guys stuff the floss n the outside of the sponge tho yea, try and see if it helps ?

**F1 VET** · 01-22-2013, 11:06 AM

I would drop some bio as 3500 grams is overkill for a moderately stocked 75 and slowing your gph greatly! Not to mention that crap starts to break down and crumble in canisters, mine barely lasted a year and then I was finding white dust in my impeller and i went with all Chem stars since their a polymer and don't break down, also ditch the crap ribbed hoses that come stock with the fx5 and get 1" vinyl on it, much better flow Imo, much easier to keep clean and pretty cool seeing the water flow thru them.

As far as polishing I would dedicate the aquatop to it, cram it with batting and Blue filter pads and use the fx5 with bio and stock sponges, that way you maintain solid flow

__________________________________________________ ________________

Go S.Vettel #1 RB8 3X WDC!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by RWaltman

Well, I just learned something useful on this site...there's a first! KAKAAAAW! ON IT.

>http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...itrate!-POTHOS

**rob1984** · 01-22-2013, 2:00 PM

Originally Posted by F1 VET

I would drop some bio as 3500 grams is overkill for a moderately stocked 75 and slowing your gph greatly! Not to mention that crap starts to break down and crumble in canisters, mine barely lasted a year and then I was finding white dust in my impeller and i went with all Chem stars since their a polymer and don't break down, also ditch the crap ribbed hoses that come stock with the fx5 and get 1" vinyl on it, much better flow Imo, much easier to keep clean and pretty cool seeing the water flow thru them.

As far as polishing I would dedicate the aquatop to it, cram it with batting and Blue filter pads and use the fx5 with bio and stock sponges, that way you maintain solid flow

__________________________________________________ ________________

Go S.Vettel #1 RB8 3X WDC!!!!!!!!!

>http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...itrate!-POTHOS

he has a custom spray bar like mine as well, ive seen his tank it has plenty of flow and reg vinyl hose's tend to "slip" off we men use mesh vinyl hose

.... and he has a TOTAL of 3500g he only has 1500g in his fx5 which isnt much at all

**13razorbackfan** · 01-22-2013, 2:10 PM

Originally Posted by rob1984

he has a custom spray bar like mine as well, ive seen his tank it has plenty of flow and reg vinyl hose's tend to "slip" off we men use mesh vinyl hose

.... and he has a TOTAL of 3500g he only has 1500g in his fx5 which isnt much at all

Yep...custom spray bar and vinyl hosing. I think I am going to simply wrap the outside of the sponge with one layer of batting and skip the batting in the rest of the canister. I think. Grrrr....

**F1 VET** · 01-22-2013, 3:03 PM

Originally Posted by rob1984

he has a custom spray bar like mine as well, ive seen his tank it has plenty of flow and reg vinyl hose's tend to "slip" off we men use mesh vinyl hose

.... and he has a TOTAL of 3500g he only has 1500g in his fx5 which isnt much at all

The clamps help

__________________________________________________ ________________

Go S.Vettel #1 RB8 3X WDC!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by RWaltman

Well, I just learned something useful on this site...there's a first! KAKAAAAW! ON IT.

>http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...itrate!-POTHOS

**lp85253** · 01-22-2013, 3:09 PM

Originally Posted by 13razorbackfan

Migrated over here from another forum so this is my first post.

I have a FX5 that I am trying to get the most out of. The tank in question is a 75g and heavily filtered with a FX5 and a Aquatop CF500UV. I have a total of 3500g of biomax rings combined in both filters. I am due to clean the Aquatop tomorrow so I figured I would do all this at one time. I have a pretty heavy load with fish and recently my water clarity isn't quite what it used to be before adding a bunch of new fish.

So right now I have three cut to fit blue/white sponges in each tray with 500g of biomax in each tray as well. The blue/white pads I cut to fit off a large roll I ordered online. So what I have decided to do is use quilt batting. I bought a large roll of Polyfil "extra loft" quilt batting at walmart. It comes in a very large sheet rolled up. So I am going to put a single layer on the outside of the 6 sponges to kind of fill that void where a lot of water bypasses. Then I was going to fill the top tray with 3 layers of blue/white filter pads cut to fit. I was then going to put quilt batting in the middle basket. I am not sure what I want to do in the bottom tray as I will likely just fill it to the top with the biomax.

My question is this. Do you guys who use this stuff fluff the batting or leave it tight in sheets and then stack the sheets on top of each other. I was thinking about fluffing like filter floss and putting it in the middle tray without stuffing it in too tight. Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks

welcome to mfk!! have seen your posts(you know your stuff,,, so mfk'ers be nice...)....f1 vet can set you straight on fx5

**13razorbackfan** · 01-22-2013, 3:55 PM

Originally Posted by F1 VET

The clamps help

__________________________________________________ ________________

Go S.Vettel #1 RB8 3X WDC!!!!!!!!!

>http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/fo...itrate!-POTHOS

Yes....very tight.