Changing FX5 Plumbing

[arkmann]

I was wondering how people hard plumbed their FX5 to their tanks?

Can I bypass the aquastop valve (I am missing them) and just use a rubber coupling and metal clamps it to the in/out opening of the canister?

Can I use a check valve instead?

Thanks!

 

[rhodes_96]

Yes you can. The aquastop valves make it easy to do maintenance. If your not using them and your going to hard plumb onto the unit, I would recommend using a ball valve before the use of any check valves.

 

[Mavrick813]

I was thinking of Plumbing PVC from the top of the tank down under the stand then using PEX to connect the FX5 valves to the PVC. I'd put Ball Valves on the PVS right before the fittings for the PEX, that way I can shut them off and remove the whole canister with fittings or, just remove the fittings from the top of the FX5.

How about using the FX5 and plumbing it into a Gravel Cleaner? Basically plumbing the return into a piece of PVC that circles the bottom of the aquarium and has jets that shoot out to the surface gravel to stir up waste and send it to the Overflow? Do you think this would restrict the FX5 and stress the motor?

 

[Pharaoh]

I just nixed the black hose and use spa tubing. Works great. You don't have to have the aqua stop valves, but I suggest you use them or a ball valve. They prevent water from draining if you disconnect the hose or take the top off the container.

 

[rhodes_96]

I was thinking of Plumbing PVC from the top of the tank down under the stand then using PEX to connect the FX5 valves to the PVC. I'd put Ball Valves on the PVS right before the fittings for the PEX, that way I can shut them off and remove the whole canister with fittings or, just remove the fittings from the top of the FX5.

How about using the FX5 and plumbing it into a Gravel Cleaner? Basically plumbing the return into a piece of PVC that circles the bottom of the aquarium and has jets that shoot out to the surface gravel to stir up waste and send it to the Overflow? Do you think this would restrict the FX5 and stress the motor?

First part sounds good. I would just use the outlet at the top of the tank to create surface agitation for oxygenation as the fx5 is a closed loop system.

 

[Mavrick813]

First part sounds good. I would just use the outlet at the top of the tank to create surface agitation for oxygenation as the fx5 is a closed loop system.

I understand that. But I mean plumbing PVC up and over the back of the tank and running a loop around the bottom of the tank and installing jets to stir up the bottom of the tank. Using the Return of the FX5 to power the gravel cleaner. Do you think the head height and restriction on the flow would over stress the pump on the FX5. Their will be a second FX5 agitating surface water.

 

[DaveB]

That ought to work nicely.

 

[sponger_2]

I understand that. But I mean plumbing PVC up and over the back of the tank and running a loop around the bottom of the tank and installing jets to stir up the bottom of the tank. Using the Return of the FX5 to power the gravel cleaner. Do you think the head height and restriction on the flow would over stress the pump on the FX5. Their will be a second FX5 agitating surface water.

i dont think the fx5 will have enough power. i have a 30" 3/4 inch pipe with holes drilled along the back on one of my tanks. It works nicely.

 

[Mavrick813]

i dont think the fx5 will have enough power. i have a 30" 3/4 inch pipe with holes drilled along the back on one of my tanks. It works nicely.

Is this pipe routed up, over the back, down to gravel level with the 30 little holes spread across the length of the tank? That might work a lot easier then doing a ring of PVC. Thanks for the insight. I could then mount the "Spraybar" to the glass using Aquarium heater mounts.

 

[arkmann]

What do I use to connect the ball valve to the canister in/out openings? I am missing one aqua stop valve and would rather not order one online. I'll use whatever you guys suggest I use to connect the ball valve to the canister openings.

So it would be the canister, then __________, then the ball valve. What should be in the blank?

Which PEX are we talking about? Anyone got a link or photo from a home depot or a lowes?

Thanks.

In case anyone's curious, I'll use the FX5 input to get water from a 30G tank and let the canister pump it to a 180G which is drilled in the back for drains.