Another FX5....

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
claude3rd

claude3rd

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Jul 7, 2010
139
0
31
Waterbury, CT
So I have a 180g tank that is running with a 40g sump and an FX5. The stock is (2) 7in Oscars, (2) Nicaraguan, (2) Jack Dempsies, (1) Firemouth, (1) Green Terror, and (5) Silver dollars. All the fish but the O's are still juvies so I have some time (and a 75g waiting to be filled)... But I am torn between getting another FX5 or 2 smaller canister filters for more mechanical filtrarion.
 
If mechanical is all you want I'd go with an ac110. Cram with polyfill or a micron rated sheet, plenty of flow ajd can be cleaned in less than a commercial break.
 
Dial92 said:
if you want mech. filtration do not go with the fx5 their polishing pads clog it up fast and stop flow
Click to expand...

I don't ever use "Polishing pads" as this is FRIST Mistake with a Filter like this... I use the supplied sponges, corse polypad in top tray, big carbon bag in middle tray and Bio-rings to the top of the bottom tray and may water is always Sparkling clean! I don't have maintian my FX5 but every 6 weeks before it's starts slowing down. The key is to use a good circualtion pump that will move the water over the substrate well also!

Go with another FX5. I only use 1 on my 180 Gallon and I have 40+ WC tropheus, trio of WC Petros and Pair of WC Gobies!
 
Thanks all for the input, I just scored another FX5. I am going to put the fluval prefilter media on the top, fill the middle with floss and the bottom will have bio-rings. I will be intersting on how long till the floss becomes a problem with the flow of thew filter.
 
claude3rd said:
Thanks all for the input, I just scored another FX5. I am going to put the fluval prefilter media on the top, fill the middle with floss and the bottom will have bio-rings. I will be intersting on how long till the floss becomes a problem with the flow of thew filter.
Click to expand...


Trust me man!? I've literally gone rounds with this Filter and It's setup order. Filter Floss is not a Good idea for this filter. When it starts collecting particles and builds up a bit it filters slow and fine and creates Crystal Clear Water but Emphasis on the SLOW, it clogs and runs REALLY slow. You are Better off with a corse polypad of some sort in the top tray. I have a big roll of it that I cutout Circular pads myself for this. Carbon bag with or without the same type of filter pad as the top tray and Biomedia in the bottom tray. This is the best order. you won't be disappointed.
 
When these things clog it puts out microbubbles which I hate.

I've toyed around with different setups as far as what's inside and in the end I just ditched all sponges and filled it to the top with pond matrix.

sent via homing pigeon.
 
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