Bought a used FX5, whats missing?

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solchitlins

solchitlins

Gambusia
MFK Member
Oct 19, 2008
363
1
16
Milford, MI 48381
So I bought a used FX5 described as 6 months old, complete with no problems for $100 off a saltwater reefing forum.

Got it today and started to clean it up. First off the thing had like 3 inches of sand in it, how did so much sand get inside? he must have vacuumed the sand out of his tank with the filter? Do you think this might have damaged it?


Secondly, it's missing the following parts:
  • Rim connectors (2)
  • Rim Connector clips (6)
  • Small Suction cups (4)
  • Out put assembly (1)
So, I cant even set it up yet to see if it runs.

So do I need 2 of these clip things?
http://www.petmeister.com/item4070.htm


I'm looking at $42.80 to replace these parts

Also If I bought new would it come with this ?
http://www.petmeister.com/item3310.htm

is this foam disk needed as a prefiler step before bio media?

I wasn't planning on using the pollishing pads anyways.

Also did I void the warrenty by buying used?

Maybe this should be moved to lessons learned.
 
First off the thing had like 3 inches of sand in it, how did so much sand get inside? he must have vacuumed the sand out of his tank with the filter? Do you think this might have damaged it?
Click to expand...

This worrys me a lot. The pump is at the bottom. Was the sand located on the outside of the baskets or the inside?

No matter what, I would remove the pump, and remove the impeller and rinse out everything to remove any sand.

Secondly, it's missing the following parts:
  • Rim connectors (2)
  • Rim Connector clips (6)
  • Small Suction cups (4)
  • Out put assembly (1)
Click to expand...
You don't NEED them but they do help. You will be fine without them. You may want to just buy some Vinyl tubing and some PVC 90* bends to go over the rim of the tank.

You can buy a CPVC 90* bend which fits in the output tub with the rubber connecter perfectly. Take a look at this.
http://www.innovationlandscaping.com/fx5/nozzle.html

The fx5 doesn't come with any media except for the large sponges on the outside of the baskets.
 
thanks

yeah the sand/ sea shells was all over the foam blocks and in the basket trays. I feel like I got splinters and fiber glass shards all over my hands from cleaning it out.
 
There is a bushing on the impeller that you should check. There is a round plastic waffer which sits right behind the impeller fan and there is a bushing in that waffer which the impeller shaft fits through. Make sure there is no play in the bushing, otherwise you will need to buy a new impeller.

Also check the blades of the impeller, make sure none of the orfices are clogged up and make sure none of the fins are erroded away from the sand. The impeller will not work very efficient if the fins are damaged.
 
if it was in marine setup and you feel like you got glass in your fingers thats what is known as bristle worms ROFL they hurt yeah alot, i would bathe your hand in hot water is best for that. custmise it as said above with PVC pipe.
 
I would send him an ass kicking. I mean really, you couldn't clean out the filter before sending it?
 
any suggeestions on how to keep the intake firmly attached inside the tank?

also if I get something like this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+10090+14680&pcatid=14680
does it just hang or do I need to seccure it some how?

The guy lived like 4 hours away so a fellow forum member offered to pick it up for me so I didn't have to drive all that way. That was nice of him. I just wish the origional seller would have told me it was missing parts, I would have bought a new one.

I haven't looked at the motor yet
 
I think that part just hangs. I was looking to get that as well. I think you will also need to use vinyl tubing with that and not the ribbed tubing.
 
The filter allready came with a vinyl hose attached for what I assume is the out put side, so I guess I will order one of those hang over the back returns, I just need to figgure out what size I need?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+10090+14680&pcatid=14680
I'm guessing I need the bigger one For 3/4" - 1" tubing?

So do I need 2 of these clip things? or only one now that I'm going with the hang over the back return?
http://www.petmeister.com/item4070.htm

is this part important? does it work well? do I need 2 of them?

what goes on the back of the strainer? just 2 suction cups or is there an assembly that clips on there?

thanks for the help
 
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