Gripe about Fx6 canister filter

[DrownedFishonFire]

3 or 4 months into using this canister filter instead of the fx4. As a main filter for my overstocked 112g tank. Its not an easier job to maintain! Fx4 was at least a smaller unit for me to wrestle out of the stand everytime to maintain it vs the bigger fx6.

As a female fishkeeper with back issues Ive had it with the Fx6.

I STRONGLY DISLIKE this filter that was supposed to make my life easier. It simply is a nice powerhead thats it. How do people move this big bulky filter out of the bottom of their tank stand cabinet without hurting themselves? What the hell is the point of having a canister filter if you have to take it apart to rinse the filter media and its like breaking into the banks safe... the drain on the bottom to drain it all? What a joke. How many knobs do I have to twist and turn to unseal and seal the lid?!?!

My AC110 out performed this fx6 hands down. I have rinsed out the AC110 clogged media which is actually the same material as the media in the fx6 probably at least 8 times in a months time frame alone. Last canister check was about 5 weeks ago... recent weekend fx6 check almost no sludge on its sides to rinse out of the only thing was the last 2 bottom center trays circle foam had sludge to rinse off... not to knock fx6 but whats the point of this filter if im only cleaning the 2 center parts of the 3 part tray full of media nothing else was getting dirty whilst the AC110 was getting the dirt out of the tanks more efficently. Yes I do WC at least 20% every 2-3 days depending on my mood its more % on WC on that particular tank. AC110 did a way better job!

I have a wavemaker on one end of the tank and the fx6 output on the opposite end of the tank. Ac110 intake/output is actually on same side of the fx6 output and fx6 intake has the wavemaker on its side and the bounce of the water off the glass is driecting water flow into the fx6 intake from the wavemaker.

Am I doing this fx6 wrong? I hate the process of wrestling with the hoses draining the water and skinning my elbows wrestling the canister out of the cabinet door, play with too many knobs by the time its said and done my floors soaked. While the AC110 its a breeze!

 

[krichardson]

I don't use them currently but when I did use my two FX6 canister filters I had a drain hose attached to the outputs at the bottom.That way I was able to remove a good amount of the water before pulling them from out of the stand

 

[celebrist]

I have mine on low tables beside my tank so I can access and drain them, I would not want to wrestle a full one out from under my tank either!

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

I don't use them currently but when I did use my two FX6 canister filters I had a drain hose attached to the outputs at the bottom.That way I was able to remove a good amount of the water before pulling them from out of the stand

Thats what I have been trying to do. Python water change hose does not fit in there and i use the hose they provided to slowly drain the water using gravity into the bucket

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

I have mine on low tables beside my tank so I can access and drain them, I would not want to wrestle a full one out from under my tank either!

View attachment 1466180

Thats a Brilliant way of camouflaging this! I might try this method!

 

[krichardson]

Thats what I have been trying to do. Python water change hose does not fit in there and i use the hose they provided to slowly drain the water using gravity into the bucket

Well that outlet is too small for a Python to connect to.I had a length of one inch diameter tubing on there,just long enough for it to empty into the floor drain.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

3 or 4 months into using this canister filter instead of the fx4. As a main filter for my overstocked 112g tank. Its not an easier job to maintain! Fx4 was at least a smaller unit for me to wrestle out of the stand everytime to maintain it vs the bigger fx6.

As a female fishkeeper with back issues Ive had it with the Fx6.

I STRONGLY DISLIKE this filter that was supposed to make my life easier. It simply is a nice powerhead thats it. How do people move this big bulky filter out of the bottom of their tank stand cabinet without hurting themselves? What the hell is the point of having a canister filter if you have to take it apart to rinse the filter media and its like breaking into the banks safe... the drain on the bottom to drain it all? What a joke. How many knobs do I have to twist and turn to unseal and seal the lid?!?!

The only issue I find with my FX5(Basically the same as an FX6) is just taking the hoses off the top without water leaking. If it's too heavy for you can't you use the valve on the bottom to drain it out the door or somewhere? I did that the first 3-4 times but then realised it was just as easy to pick the whole thing up and carry it to the kitchen sink.

Sounds like you need to go get a drink and order a big HOB if you can't lift more than a few pounds easily.

 

[FJB]

I have 6 working AC110s and 2 working FX6s (and 2 Penguins and now some Emperors). I love them all. FX6s will always be harder to maintain. It helps a lot to have prefilters in all filters and to clean those weekly. Media in all HOBs rinsed every week, and on canisters once a month. The drain valve ( with appropriate hose) works well for lowering their content. Some water (weight) remains but it is not too bad. I guess I don’t mind it but you don’t like it. A personal thing. Good luck!

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

The only issue I find with my FX5(Basically the same as an FX6) is just taking the hoses off the top without water leaking. If it's too heavy for you can't you use the valve on the bottom to drain it out the door or somewhere? I did that the first 3-4 times but then realised it was just as easy to pick the whole thing up and carry it to the kitchen sink.

Sounds like you need to go get a drink and order a big HOB if you can't lift more than a few pounds easily.

A drink to calm down is a good suggestion ?

Its the fact that im trying to maneuver it out of under the cabinet and i skin my arms trying to get hoses off getting them. This is an acrylic tank cabinet stand not a wood stand with softer edges BTW.

Back in, getting cord back through the cabinet hole to plug it back in its just so much work itself when its not catching as much dirt/sludge vs other filters. Im too paranoid to let it go past 5 weeks without maintence.

How many knobs is on that dang thing we gotta twist. Im already aggrevated by the time ive pulled it out of the cabinet door itself. The size is too tall for my cabinet however im going to be putting it on the side of the tank itself like other members has done to make it less aggrevating instead of under the cabinet.

For my Particular cabinet this unit is almost as tall as the door and is very tight fit for side to side. It also has 3 inches drop to its floor so we have to carefully lift it manuver it without damaging any motor or cord etc due to how wide it is coming out of the door itself. I attached pictures fx4 was nothing. Easy peasy to pull in/out of this same cabinet. Its the size that makes it more challenging as i definitely dont want to be banging the unit against the edges and damage anything while pulling it out

I have to lift it remember im already scraping my arms deattaching the output/input hoses and emptying the unit prior by attaching hose. I have to lift it more than 3 inches, twist it around/angle it to sideways so unit doesnt get damaged its still a tight fit coming out of the doorway if you pulled it straught up and out it will not fit. This unit for all of the water volume that goes in and out of it we would think its trapping more dirt. My AC110 is outperforming it. Same media! Its clogged up every 3 days. I rinse it out every WC now just to keep on top of it anyways much easy peasy.


So next maintence probably end of August. im going to move it to the side looking into little tables already and plants to hide it a bit.

I love its ability to move water. Its increased gallonage to my overstocked tank. In some ways its giving me peace of mind. I just like my AC110s too much as dirt is getting out of the tank more efficently. Maybe Ill just keep fx6 for increased water gallon, biomedia aspect.

 

[FJB]

After seeing your pictures, I see that the amount of space above the top of the filter is about the same as I have with my stand. The side-to side space is also comparable. However, I can see one item that can make your life a lot easier, and then, I will also make additional suggestions you may not be using now. Altogether, I think you could end up liking the filter better:

- I see you have the outlet of the drain valve pointing backwards. You want it to point forward, towards you. Python hose or anything similar is exactly the correct diameter to use to drain. Get yourself a shallow pan, such as the bottom part of a kitty litter box, and an empty bucket, and a towel (step by step process to follow below).

- Always drain as much water from the filter as possible, prior to attempting moving it. It will make it that much lighter and easier to handle. Admittedly you can not empty it completely, but you can lower the water to about 2 gallons (the filter holds nearly 5 gallons).
- One trick to being able to drain the most possible is to elevate the filter the absolutely maximum possible (leaving space to connect and disconnect hoses). I do this by arranging 3 bricks as a base for the filter, and all fit inside a plastic pan. The added height (by bricks) allows you to drain more by gravity, making a huge difference in weight and ease.
- Difficulties with the electric cord. Attach some short of hanging device for the electrical connection (joining of your filter prong, and your extension cord, such that is is always elevated so it cannot become wet, nor tangle with anything.
- Once you have removed the filter from under the stand, take it to the place where you will do the cleanup.
- After cleaning, reassemble the filter and add some amount of dechlorinated water, as much as you can without making it too heavy to manipulate it back inside the stand. Don't try to fill it more than half, better less if the weight is an issue for you.

The step by step (Order of steps is critical to make it easiest!):

REMOVING Filter
1- turn filter off
2- close both valves
3- unplug filter and extract cord. Use a twisty so you don't step on dangling cord.
4- Connect drain hose to drain outlet, and position plastic pan and bucket

PUTTING FILTER BACK
1- Bring it back and position under stand. You should have as much dechlorinated water in it as possible, while still not making it too heavy. The motor should face forward (face you), which also means the drain spigot will face you. Do not tighten the lid yet, but have it in place. You should be able to lift it a little but not able to remove (not enough clearance under the stand).
2- With a hose (or an empty large yougurt container if you prefer) you can siphon some water for the aquarium and into the filter. You don’t have to fill it completely or even to do this, but it is easier.
3- Position the filter’s lid, make sure is nice and snug (always have the large o’ring well greased). Tighten the while bolts, halfway, an opposite pair at a time, and keep going around until all are nice and finger tightened (no more!).
4- Connect hoses (do not open them yet). The orange thumb push buttons on the valves should face you so you can see them. Use the same method as when disconnecting: rotate back and forth about a quarter of a turn, while pressing down onto the upright nipple. You should feel when the are well seated.
5- Open the OUT valve first. Wait a few seconds. Open the IN valve – You should hear a lot of gurgling noises in the aquarium and bubbling. Do not worry, this is air leaving the filter, while water rushes into the filter until it fills up. Once all gurgling stops, then you can plug in the filter and it should start. (if some crude becomes apparent in the aquarium, that is stuff from the hoses; don't worry, the filter will pick it up in a few minutes).
6- The filter will run for a minute or 2, and then stop. This is normal and it allows it to purge any additio9nal air. While it is off, check for any possible leaks. For very minor leaks on the valves, rotate back and forth while pushing down. Any other leaks on the lid of the filter means it was not closed properly and requires turning the filter off and do careful checking for issues.

Doing things in this manner, and position the filter with the motor and drain valve facing you, as well as having it as empty as possible when moving it, should make your life a lot easier.

Good luck!!!!