Before continue reading on, I would like you to answer a few questions.
Here is a way to make the FX5 more than just a filter, you can convert it into a VERY VERY POWERFUL gravel vacuum cleaner.
Things you would need
You might not know it since the brand is cheap. To give you an idea, here is an image of it.
I highly recommend getting one with the longest plastic tube [or whatever you call it] as the FX5 suction is quite strong and you won't want gravel to get sucked all into your filter. But if fine gravel gets suck into your filter, don't panic. The sponges should be able to catch it before it has the chance of damaging the pump.
As for the flexible tube, make sure it can fit into the FX5 intake tube [not that difficult to find considering the intake tube is larger than that of average canisters]. I would also make sure that my fish won't be able to fit in the space between the intake and the flexible tube of the gravel cleaner. I'm not to be blamed if you fail to heed this advice and your fish decides to go for a swim in the filter.
Place the polishing pad in the first basket of the FX5 filter. Make sure that there is absolutely NO bypass!
Why did I choose FX5 for this? Simple.
The lower half of the large strainer easily pops off. Slot the end of the flexible tube of the gravel cleaner into the intake tube of the FX5. Make sure to slide it in deep enough to prevent the tube from slipping out during vacuuming.
You are now ready to commence heavy duty gravel vacuuming. Air would enter the filter at first but that won't be a problem. If you are sceptical, I suggest you fill the entire gravel cleaner with water first before connecting it into the intake. How? Good old siphon.
Just do as you would in a normal gravel vac.
Here is how strong the vac is [thanks to the FX5 pump]
It gets a ton of gunk out of my gravel and into my filter.
The best part? No water change! And the length of the tube allows me to clean the other end of my tank.
Small fish and invertebrates? No problem.
My apple snail decided to hitch a ride in the gravel vac. Fortunately my gravel cleaner has a gravel guard to prevent it from ending up in the filter.
Guess it isn't really as cheapskate as I thought it was.
The polishing pads in the filter should be able to capture the finest of particles. Look at your output, all that is supposed to come out is clean water and only clean water.
Picture doesn't do justice but absolutely nothing visible came out from my dual output nozzle.
After cleaning every inch of the gravel, Just pull out the flexible tube and cap on the lower portion of the intake strainer IMMEDIATELY.
Take the filter out and remove the polishing pad. Here is how much gunk gets trapped onto my polishing pad after only 10 mins of heavy gravel cleaning! A new pad was placed beside it for reference.
Let;s review what was achieved
- Do you own an FX5 filter?
- Are you foolish enough to get gravel instead of sand?
- Do you have messy fishes like Oscars?
- Does your gravel get dirty rapidly?
- Does it require more water than required in wc to clean your gravel?
- Do you hate carrying buckets of water filled with gunks to the sink?
- Are you lazy?
- Are you paying for the monthly water bills?
- Are you a poor block?
- Do you
or 
whenever the monthly water bills arrive? - Do you hate Eheim for their overly-priced gravel vac cleaner?
- Do you worship Spiritofthesoul?
Here is a way to make the FX5 more than just a filter, you can convert it into a VERY VERY POWERFUL gravel vacuum cleaner.
Things you would need
- A Fluval FX5
- A polishing pad (I use the FX5 ones but you could go cheapskate)
- A cheap Gravel Vac Cleaner
You might not know it since the brand is cheap. To give you an idea, here is an image of it.
I highly recommend getting one with the longest plastic tube [or whatever you call it] as the FX5 suction is quite strong and you won't want gravel to get sucked all into your filter. But if fine gravel gets suck into your filter, don't panic. The sponges should be able to catch it before it has the chance of damaging the pump.
As for the flexible tube, make sure it can fit into the FX5 intake tube [not that difficult to find considering the intake tube is larger than that of average canisters]. I would also make sure that my fish won't be able to fit in the space between the intake and the flexible tube of the gravel cleaner. I'm not to be blamed if you fail to heed this advice and your fish decides to go for a swim in the filter.
Place the polishing pad in the first basket of the FX5 filter. Make sure that there is absolutely NO bypass!
Why did I choose FX5 for this? Simple.
The lower half of the large strainer easily pops off. Slot the end of the flexible tube of the gravel cleaner into the intake tube of the FX5. Make sure to slide it in deep enough to prevent the tube from slipping out during vacuuming.
You are now ready to commence heavy duty gravel vacuuming. Air would enter the filter at first but that won't be a problem. If you are sceptical, I suggest you fill the entire gravel cleaner with water first before connecting it into the intake. How? Good old siphon.
Just do as you would in a normal gravel vac.
Here is how strong the vac is [thanks to the FX5 pump]
It gets a ton of gunk out of my gravel and into my filter.
The best part? No water change! And the length of the tube allows me to clean the other end of my tank.
Small fish and invertebrates? No problem.
My apple snail decided to hitch a ride in the gravel vac. Fortunately my gravel cleaner has a gravel guard to prevent it from ending up in the filter.
Guess it isn't really as cheapskate as I thought it was.
The polishing pads in the filter should be able to capture the finest of particles. Look at your output, all that is supposed to come out is clean water and only clean water.
Picture doesn't do justice but absolutely nothing visible came out from my dual output nozzle.
After cleaning every inch of the gravel, Just pull out the flexible tube and cap on the lower portion of the intake strainer IMMEDIATELY.
Take the filter out and remove the polishing pad. Here is how much gunk gets trapped onto my polishing pad after only 10 mins of heavy gravel cleaning! A new pad was placed beside it for reference.
Let;s review what was achieved
- I wake up every Saturday morning a happy man, knowing I don't have to carry tons of buckets of waste to my sink.
- I no longer feel shagged and neglect my gravel bed
- My mum stopped yelling at me as the monthly water bill dropped.
- I no longer have any use for the EXPENSIVE eheim gravel cleaner I brought last month
