Fluval fx6 media
- Thread starter Nastylocs
- Start date
Use the "default" sponges around the outside, and add as much bio media (Matrix, rings, etc) as possible, as long as the filter can be reassembled properly. Be sure to leave a "little" space so that the baskets "stack" properly, lube your orings with silicone grease(Lowes/Home depot) and DON'T over-tighten the fasteners.
Even as little BIO media as it seems the FX6's hold, trust me you don't need much more than that, and if for some reason you did, you add another FX6, or even a cheaper alternative second canister filter(Sunsun 304B) or HOB(Aquaclear 110)or the like.
Also, a prefilter sponge to replace the intake "screen Unit" helps to majorly prolong maintenance intervals, however you will have to pull the prefilter off and rinse it once per week(mine can last as long as 2-3 weeks but I only feed my fish once every other day). Less food is better, think about how they feed in NATURE, they don't have "fat" bellies in nature every day, and it's been said it's generally healthier for them).
If it requires it more than that, you are LIKELY overfeeding or overstocked....
Even as little BIO media as it seems the FX6's hold, trust me you don't need much more than that, and if for some reason you did, you add another FX6, or even a cheaper alternative second canister filter(Sunsun 304B) or HOB(Aquaclear 110)or the like.
Also, a prefilter sponge to replace the intake "screen Unit" helps to majorly prolong maintenance intervals, however you will have to pull the prefilter off and rinse it once per week(mine can last as long as 2-3 weeks but I only feed my fish once every other day). Less food is better, think about how they feed in NATURE, they don't have "fat" bellies in nature every day, and it's been said it's generally healthier for them).
If it requires it more than that, you are LIKELY overfeeding or overstocked....
Ok so with what i have. Im going to leave the outside sponges stock. bottom basket blue fluval sponges, middle basket full of matrix. 3rd basket some rings and a polishing pad.
Again its a 75g with 2 baby peacock bass
Yeah, use the whole Liter. The only thing is you'll have quite a bit of surface area for BB which, is never a bad thing.
Thats what i did and when i pull off my current filter im going to put some of the ceramics from that in just so i still have some of ththe established bio in the new filter
I have 2 fx filters i run presently on my 600 gal along with an ocean clear canister with aqua uv. As far as the fx5 and 6 go i filled them differently. The fx6 is filled with the following. I use all the sponges it comes with as well. The bottom tray has a big bag of chemi pure. The 1st and 2nd tray has lava rox with the round sponge it comez with above the 1st and 3rd tray. The fx5 i use all the sponges as well. The 3rd tray and 2nd tray has lava rox and some of the cermaic rolls that they come with mixed in. The 1st tray i lay some filter floss with polishing floss above that. What i use is basically white felt from Michaels arts and craft store and cut it into a square shape and fold it in. That lays above the floss. Ive done it the other way around and works not as well. I clean each filter out every 2 to 3 wks alternating between them. If i notice it is getting dirty quicker i clean it out then. Since the felt getz dirty quickly i clean out that tray every 4 to 5 days. If the water is clear and has no fine particles about i dont use the felt. If that's the case then i leave the filter be intil the 2nd or 3rd week. Its my cure to solving the issue of filtering out the fine debris in the water. Thankfully my fish are not too messy so im good with that routine. Not to mention i do weekly 40%+ water swaps using ro water. The ocean clear i swap out every 3 weeks with a fresh clean one. I rinse them off really well and place in bleach/water for a few days then air dry for a week. I have several if them that i always have a clean fresh one ready to go.
