Fluval FX5..output not strong enough...should i add powerhead?

[blacksnow]

I have a 125gallon tank (72x18x22).

I just set it up tonight, and fired up the filter. It doesn't seem to be pushing the stuff across the bottom of the tank towards the intake as good as I had expected.

The filter has no leaks, or air in it, and it seems to be running fine. I'm sure it's not a filter issue, just me expecting more then I should.

Would anyone recommend adding a powerhead to the same side as the output to assist/aid in pushing things towards the intake?

It's a bare bottom setup that will house 2 black aros (3"), and 2 peacock bass (3"). I just want to make sure the 'majority' of crap gets pushed down towards the intake.


Thanks <3

 

[crazy4pearl]

nice fish your gona put in it

 

[Jgray152]

Remove the dual output and go with a single 90 degree fitting. You will get a lot more flow velocity.

http://innovationlandscaping.com/fx5/nozzle.html

 

[Danger_Chicken]

I plummed mine completely with 1" PVC. The corigated hose that comes with the FX5 slows down the output. I also created a spray bar at the bottom of the tank to push crude to the intake. It's a 6' tank and the FX5 output is enough to clear the bottom. See teh right side of the pic

 

[tcarswell]

Remove the dual output and go with a single 90 degree fitting. You will get a lot more flow velocity.

http://innovationlandscaping.com/fx5/nozzle.html

Beat me to it. And to the other guy that oscar tank is the sweetness~

 

[Jgray152]

Nice oscar tank!

Just remember that spray bars, if design wrong, could increase system pressure and decrease total flow of the filter system.

 

[polish]

Don't make the current to strong, 3" Aros will get blown all over the place.

 

[bigcol]

I have 2 running on seperate tanks and 1 has the dual outlet and the other has nothing atall, just the tubes and the single outlet is alot more powerfull than the double, so i would agree to use a single outlet

Try not to point it in the direction of the aro's as they will be blown out of your tank JK

 

[Avi]

DIY yourself a Spraybar

1" pvc pipe with holes drilled in it, job done, MASSIVE POWER, use vertically along the back... wont bother your arow

I use 9 x 5mm holes over 10" (doesnt put strain on the filter or slow down net flow rate)

Optional for horizontal mounting: 90deg bend will give good surface agetation

If you are an overdoer like me, make a split spray bar with half vertical and half horizontal lol, still get HUGE flow rate

 

[JakeH]

No experience with FX5's, but my powerhead tends to pull the crap toward itself after the current gets steady. So I put it about 2 inches above & behind the filter intake & it pulled everything into the path of my intake & outta da tank.