A couple of FX5 questions

[GBG]

I've got a few questions for you FX5 guys:

1. Will two FX5's be sufficeint filtration for a 350g cichlid tank (heavy bio load)? I know each FX5 is rated for a 400g tank, but we all know that those ratings are for a tank full of neons.

2. My tank is 36" high and stand is 30" high, so total is 66" high. Is the tubing that comes with the FX5 long enough?

3. Can anyone provide me with the link to buy one? (I think I recall someone saying that they are available from an EBAY store).

Thanks. GBG

 

[Mentzer]

Hi,
I am using 2 FX's on a 500 litre arowana/tigrinum tank.
Their performance has been very good to date (2 months) evencompared to the old Eheim bucket filters I had years ago. Even on a 1500 litre tank like your they should do the job, however to optimise flow rate and minimise your head height I would try to ensure they are as near the top of your stand as possible (don't know if your base/stand shall permit this), the top of the filter housing can go as high as 10" below your water level.
Becasue of the type of fish you are keeping I would fill the entire filter with biological media (Hagen Biospheres / AquaMedic Bioballs etc) with a small amount of fine sponge to polish the water prior to return. The machanical stuff you can deal with a) 2 water changes per week and b) siphoning off any large pieces of excrement/uneaten food as required.
If your base does not permit the foregoing you have a large area underneath for a decent size sump tank with huge bio-mass potential also.

 

[Mentzer]

Sorry neglected to say standard hose supplied (1 piece) is 3 metres, therefore cut in half this would only give you 58.5" per piece, but then subtract the height of the canister from the floor (17".5")so you would need 48.5" per piece (plus any slack hose needed) so the 10" spare on each might just make it for you. Additional hose is available only as 3 metre lengths in the UK, the same in the USA I would think. A competitive price in the UK is around 130.00 GBP, convert that to US dollars at current rates and the might be a good starting point. Good luck.

 

[GBG]

Mentzer:

GREAT info once agin, thanks.