350 Gallon setup and journal

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I have a 210 gallon with two FX5's and am very happy with the filter. I cant stand the hoses, intakes or outputs. I did custom black PVC spray bars with the heavy vinyl tubing, and will probably soon make up my own intakes. That is my only real gripe with the filter. I wish in line heaters were cheaper for big tanks. I ended up custom plumbing two of the Hydor 300watt into one of the outputs of one FX5 and it works fine. I personally would not mix a bunch of different filters. It is much nicer to have lets say three of the same model/brand so if anything happens you can rob form one to keep another running if necessary, but thats just my opinion.
 
DMD123 said:
I have a 210 gallon with two FX5's and am very happy with the filter. I cant stand the hoses, intakes or outputs. I did custom black PVC spray bars with the heavy vinyl tubing, and will probably soon make up my own intakes. That is my only real gripe with the filter. I wish in line heaters were cheaper for big tanks. I ended up custom plumbing two of the Hydor 300watt into one of the outputs of one FX5 and it works fine. I personally would not mix a bunch of different filters. It is much nicer to have lets say three of the same model/brand so if anything happens you can rob form one to keep another running if necessary, but thats just my opinion.
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I understand what you are saying, however here is my thought process. The eheim provides the best or one of the best in terms of biological, the fx5 is great or better used for mechanical and the cfs has uv and mechanical. I believe with a combination you have all the areas needed to cover to make the tank successful.

With 3-4 fx5's I believe you would be missing out on biological, and yes I know with the 5.9l in the center trays you can put in some, but it still couldn't stack up to the 2262. Also, hooking an inline uv on it would not be as effective because of the higher gph of the fx5 than on the cfs's built in one.

If this makes sense? And if I had a filter that broke down....I probably wouldn't use it for parts, but fix it instead.

Thanks for input and its greatly appreciated.

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I had considered the 2262 myself but it was just a matter of money in my case. I purchased two FX5's for the cost of one 2262. (And I too have to answer to a wife!) I do have a 18w turbotwist UV on the output of one of the filters (heaters on the other) and it works for what it was intended, for green water issues.

I say use the filter for parts because many times the cost of parts to repair do not justify the repair. As an example I have a Penguin 200 on another tank, it needed a new impeller which was $17. I bought a brand new Penguin 200 filter for $22 instead. I find the same thing with trying to 'repair' a lot of these filters, if anything serious goes out, it pretty much is not worth fixing. Thats why I went the route I did too. If one FX5 dies it will be parts to keep the other running. I would probably just buy another new FX5 at that point to replace the broken one.

I see where you are going with your set up, and look forward to seeing how you end up setting this up.
 
DMD123 said:
I had considered the 2262 myself but it was just a matter of money in my case. I purchased two FX5's for the cost of one 2262. (And I too have to answer to a wife!) I do have a 18w turbotwist UV on the output of one of the filters (heaters on the other) and it works for what it was intended, for green water issues.

I say use the filter for parts because many times the cost of parts to repair do not justify the repair. As an example I have a Penguin 200 on another tank, it needed a new impeller which was $17. I bought a brand new Penguin 200 filter for $22 instead. I find the same thing with trying to 'repair' a lot of these filters, if anything serious goes out, it pretty much is not worth fixing. Thats why I went the route I did too. If one FX5 dies it will be parts to keep the other running. I would probably just buy another new FX5 at that point to replace the broken one.

I see where you are going with your set up, and look forward to seeing how you end up setting this up.
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Cost is a small issue, however if its something I want to go with ill spend the couple $100 more to get it. I value all the input I can get and its great for others that are in my shoes also. I still am undecided to be honest which way I'm going.

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Paulbearer said:
Cost is a small issue, however if its something I want to go with ill spend the couple $100 more to get it. I value all the input I can get and its great for others that are in my shoes also. I still am undecided to be honest which way I'm going.
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Im not quite ready for my 350 gallon just yet, but I do have plans. I really do look forward to seeing what
you decide on this project.
 
ecoli73 said:
Oops...I do mean interval.

4 month is pretty good


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I do at least 3 water changes a week with good gravel vacs each time so when I open up the filters they really are not that dirty. I will probably take it out to every 6 months now. I have heard of people using the 2262 we have been talking about and not opening it up for a year.
 
Yes...I opened it up after 10 month and it wasn't that dirty. The only thing is that it does not have baskets so I have a giant media bag...4.5 gallons of subtract pro is not so fun to lug around and rinse...and when I did it, I then realized that the method I use to get the tank water, the back flush port is unavailable to me for obvious reasons...that was fun finding a clean bucket etc...


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