Buying FX5 for 140

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

dsandford

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 31, 2008
75
0
0
BC, Canada
So I set up my 140 last friday and the current filtration consists of an xp3 and 2 AC70s. I sold my 80 gallon today and I am giving the guy my AC70s since they are way to loud to be in my bedroom. I have decided that I'm going to buy an FX5 tomorrow but I just have a couple of questions that I know have been asked before but I just can't seem to find a straight answer. I also know that there isn't a single right answer but I need help on my media. I'm under the assumption that the foam inserts that come with it do a good job at mechanical filtration and most people are using almost all bio media in the trays. I plan on doing the same thing but I need to know what you guys would recommend I use out of the following list, mixed or not. I would also appreciate it if you could tell me how much of it I will have to buy to fill the baskets. Cost is a factor btw.

- Fluval Biomax
- Pond Matrix
- Ehfi Stubstrat
- Marineland ceramic rings
- bioballs

I'm open to any other considerations depending on if I can get it in time or not. I need to get it asap since I will only have the xp3 running on the 140 until i get the Media. I also read that some people use a finer foam insert in the top layer and was wondering if I should do the same if I will only be running the FX5?

Thanks
 
first of all dont use the fine blue filter, it will just clog up your filter.

if you can find pot scrubbies use them in your fx5 if cost is a factor. next thing up would be to get biomax or any ceramic bio media. just stay away from the fragile type of bio media.
 
Ok thanks. So maybe do 2 trays of biomax and 1 tray of scrubbies. I have read a lot of posts though and people had said that scrubbies aren't that good for canisters. I'm not sure if this is true or not though.
 
Ok well that sounds like a pretty reasonable reasonable price. Hopefully I can find some today. Thanks. Do most pet shops carry it?
 
Well I can't seem to find any pond matrix in Canada but I can get the regular matrix. Are you sure it will fall through the compartments? It says that each piece is around 10mm. I don't have the FX5 yet but I wouldn't think that the holes in the trays are bigger than 1cm. Will I need to buy a gallon to fill it or would a half gallon fill it? Thanks and sorry for so many newb questions.
 
i have 5 liters of eheim ehfi substrate in mine and its filled to the brim, not sure how many gallons it would take to fill it up though
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom