180 Gallon and FX-5

[Akabir47]

I am about to set up my new Fx-5 on my new 180g... My question is what would be the best setup for media.

I was planning on using eheim ceramic rings in the bottom tray, seachem pond matrix in the middle and some sort or combination of water polishing pads on the top tray, i.e. poly fiber, pot scrubbies,scouring pads etc...

I plan on housing several ca/sa cichlids, an arowna, a brichir, a ghost knife, a florida gar and hopefully a ray in this tank...

I have researched this topic grealty and I would like to gather some more opinions/expereince... Will also be running to emp400's and a ehiem classic that are already established...

Thanks...

 

[Potts050]

I stopped using the filter polishing pads in my FX-5's. I found they reduce the flow rate considerably. My TDS has gone up since then but my nitrates and amonia are 0 even with a heavy feeding regime

 

[Iffrat]

i have 2 Fx5's one on my 150 and one on my 120 ... both have 3 trays of bio rings thats it .. i picked up a rena 3 with the stock set up and have it on my 150 because the rays .. but the 120 with my O's and now 14" royal with the red hooks it stays clean .. i dont really see any reason to have anything other then bio rings in all 3 trays at this point ..

 

[haynchinook334]

Shoot....i have 2 in my 180gal. Polishing pads are rubbish IMO. just keep up with water changes. I just use the fx5 for media and mechanical.

 

[Akabir47]

Shoot....i have 2 in my 180gal. Polishing pads are rubbish IMO. just keep up with water changes. I just use the fx5 for media and mechanical.

So what do you use as media and what do you use as mechanical. Ure setup is what I want!!! I religiously do 50% wc's weekly on all my tanks...

 

[Akabir47]

i have 2 Fx5's one on my 150 and one on my 120 ... both have 3 trays of bio rings thats it .. i picked up a rena 3 with the stock set up and have it on my 150 because the rays .. but the 120 with my O's and now 14" royal with the red hooks it stays clean .. i dont really see any reason to have anything other then bio rings in all 3 trays at this point ..

So I have the bio rings, what about the seachem matrix bio balls?

 

[Akabir47]

i have 2 Fx5's one on my 150 and one on my 120 ... both have 3 trays of bio rings thats it .. i picked up a rena 3 with the stock set up and have it on my 150 because the rays .. but the 120 with my O's and now 14" royal with the red hooks it stays clean .. i dont really see any reason to have anything other then bio rings in all 3 trays at this point ..

So I plan on housing a ray in my setup, what special filter media should I consider besides the rings???

 

[haynchinook334]

I keep nothing bio rings in one and 1/2 in the other. The mech filtration is what it came with.

 

[Akabir47]

I keep nothing bio rings in one and 1/2 in the other. The mech filtration is what it came with.

Ok so what about the seachem pond matrix is that comparable to the bio rings I was going to use both? The mech filtration are the white pads around the basket right?

 

[haynchinook334]

Ok so what about the seachem pond matrix is that comparable to the bio rings I was going to use both? The mech filtration are the white pads around the basket right?

Yes...the mech is the white pads. Anything that holds bio is good...scrubbie's, bio floss, bio ring, etc.