Fluval FX5 Maximum Potential???

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

Running From The Hammer...
MFK Member
Jul 6, 2005
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BannedVille
www.monsterfishkeepers.com
I've got a Fluval FX5 on the 300gal and the 125gal, so last night I cleaned them up, pulled all the media out of them, removed two buckets, and filled it to the top with bioballs, ceramic rings, and biostars. I'm hoping that the approx. 5 gallons of biological filtration will help with keeping the tank in tip top shape. I've got a few other filters on the tank to help as well, just wanted to try this out.

Has anyone else ever done this? Will this work properly?

I left the old bioballs in there, and the other filters running. So shouldn't crash too much.
 
First of all, what do you mean by tip top shape, were you having an issue with your bioload, or was the tank hazy thus indicating a mechanical filtration issue? I see no problem of running without the trays, I would add a layer of filter floss if it were me. Bio bacteria is held in the sponges and substrate, so I never felt the need to go heavy with the bio, I felt like I neededhelp with mechanical and chemical is always nice if youre good on the upkeep.

Kind of off topic, but I was never as impressed with the FX5 as much as people recommended it. It has a lot of space for sure and the gph is OKAY, however as you probably noted, it needs other filters to run with it, it is not the sole filtration solution that a lot of people seem to think it is. IMO, not to start a rant or derail your thread, but I would spend a bit more money and build a small sump if I thought I needed more filtration.
 
I use the trays but run all trays full with Ehfisubstrate Pro with a polishing pad on top on both of my FX5s. But I run a 145 gallon sump in conjunction with them.
Does removing the trays allow you that much more room for the bio balls? Personally I would build a sump even if smaller. You can do it on the cheap with an old tank and overflow boxes. Run it in conjunction with FX5, this will also allow you to add water volume to the existing setup which can only help.
 
Ha, no, filtration is fine, no problems what so ever. I am getting ready to add a few more fish in about two weeks though, so wanted to make sure it could handle the extra load, plus I was curious if it would work.

With nothing but a few sponges and the bioballs, biostars, and ceramic rings in there, the flow is INCREDIBLE compared to what it normally is!
 
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