Optimal FX5 Setup

Hey

I bought an FX5 about 18 months ago and I've never really been happy with it's performance. Although the flow seems good, it seems to struggle picking up any kind of debris unless it floats right in front of the intake, and I tend to rely on gravel vacuuming to pick up any solid waste. The first thing I think I did wrong was set up the intake on the opposite side of the tank (4 ft 90g) to the filter. At the weekend I plan to buy a new length of tubing and move the intake to the same side as the filter, should I expect to see an increase in flow from this? I also plan to change some of the media, currently, I have...

Top basket - coarse foam
Middle basket - Seachem Matrix (pretty sure that this stuff isn't very effective)
Bottom basket - ceramic rings
Not using any filter floss or carbon

Tank is home to a Jag cichlid growout (6ft planned for next year). Would like to hear some thoughts on this setup and would could be done to improve it.

Thanks

Steve

Yea, I plan to go bare bottom once the 6 footer arrives, a lot of people say that gravel is the worst enemy for water quality. What have got in your fx6s?

Edit - Double post

vr6fan said:

Why don't you think matrix is effective? many mfkers use it with great success...

Click to expand...

Just a hunch, I could be totally wrong. I tried it as it claims to remove nitrates, but I've seen no difference since using it. So, I'm thinking...

Top Polishing pad & course foam
Middle Ceramic rings
Bottom Matrix

Thoughts? Also, can anyone comment as to whether I should see an improvement in flow by shortening the distance between the canister and the intake? Thanks.