Fluval FX5 Suggestion

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Spankmuffin

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 10, 2008
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Iowa
Hey can anyone tell me what they use for filter pads in their FX5? I have one that I love and it runs my 150 show tank without any trouble. However, I hate having to always buy the Fluval replacement pads for it and I always have to get them on line and wait for the shipping. I read somewhere, and maybe it was on this forum, that people use just regular sponges or maybe even floss in the compartments instead of the actual Fluval sponges.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? The Fluval pads are great but like I said I hate to wait for shipping and no stores in my area carry FX5 stuff. Only smaller Fluval parts.

Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Just to let everyone know what I am running I have the bottom two trays loaded with BioMax cylinders and then the top compartment I have 4 units of Chemi Pure Elite. I swear by Chemi Pure and have always run it in any tank. My tank is an all male African Peacock and Hap tank. I also run one Emperor 400 as a back up filter in case of problems with the Fluval.

Spank
 
Spankmuffin;2450001; said:
Hey can anyone tell me what they use for filter pads in their FX5? I have one that I love and it runs my 150 show tank without any trouble. However, I hate having to always buy the Fluval replacement pads for it and I always have to get them on line and wait for the shipping. I read somewhere, and maybe it was on this forum, that people use just regular sponges or maybe even floss in the compartments instead of the actual Fluval sponges.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? The Fluval pads are great but like I said I hate to wait for shipping and no stores in my area carry FX5 stuff. Only smaller Fluval parts.

Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Just to let everyone know what I am running I have the bottom two trays loaded with BioMax cylinders and then the top compartment I have 4 units of Chemi Pure Elite. I swear by Chemi Pure and have always run it in any tank. My tank is an all male African Peacock and Hap tank. I also run one Emperor 400 as a back up filter in case of problems with the Fluval.

Spank
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Umm sponges usually do not need replacement, just a quick rinse(in aquarium water). I have had sponges for a very very long time and never replaced them, I did once, because the sponge was 10 years old and disintegrating. I am assuming you are talking about sponges because you did say "Fluval sponges". If your pads always require replacing I would suggest putting them after any of the sponges as the sponges will catch most of your larger debris while the pads only collect the very very fine particles. That way your pads should last longer.

If you are going through sponges as quickly as your Chemi pure.. something is not right.

I never use and chemical filtration.. costs too much and I have never really seen a noticible difference. Only time I use activated carbon is after medication. I use AC and I always have sponge or two + biomax. Sometimes I sub in some filter floss in place of a sponge(if I have 2) to clear up the water.
 
Sorry I should have clarified it is the sponges that are on the outside of the baskets. The parger sponges that collect all the dirt. I always clean them off when they are dirty but I also thought you were supposed to replace them like every 6 months or so. I change out my Chemi Pure every 6 months religiously and at that time I was swapping out the sponges too. If it doesn't need to be done and just cleaning them off is fine then I will just do that.
 
Spankmuffin;2450041; said:
Sorry I should have clarified it is the sponges that are on the outside of the baskets. The parger sponges that collect all the dirt. I always clean them off when they are dirty but I also thought you were supposed to replace them like every 6 months or so. I change out my Chemi Pure every 6 months religiously and at that time I was swapping out the sponges too. If it doesn't need to be done and just cleaning them off is fine then I will just do that.
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If you could send me a picture of what the sponges look like I can tell you if they need replacing or not. I am not 100% familiar with the fx5, but when anyone says sponges I imagine this type:
sponge_280.gif

And these ones last for ever!!!

Again if you post some pics of the part, I can help you out.
If it is a polishing pad, that can get rinsed out a few times but it will be less and less effective. That would need
some replacing.
Also, when you rinse any filter media... always always always use aquarium water to do so.
 
I have 2 FX5's and i only rinse the sponges out, like said above i only replace them if they are worn out or falling apart.
 
Spankmuffin;2450113; said:
The sponges are the FX5 sponges that come with the unit. They are cut to fit the sides on the canister in each tray. 6 in all for the 3 trays.

Here: http://www.petco.com/product/106208/Hagen-Fluval-FX5-Filter-Foam-Block.aspx

That is what I am referring to and it seems that just a good rinse when they are dirty should keep me from having to get new ones I guess. I just replaced them when I did my Chemi Pure.
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Yea it is a foam block.. No need to replace these. I had a sponge in an Aqua Clear mini for about 10 years.... I replaced it recently as it was starting to tear apart...Foam blocks last for everrr.. Just rinse them out you should be fine(always in aquarium water.. can NOT emphasize this enough). When cleaning a filter it isn't in the same sense as cleaning human things. Cleaning a filter usually means rinsing (sometimes squeezing) with aquarium water and that is it.
I worked at a fish store for 3 years and no matter how many times you suggest something that works...People will always do the opposite... Always!

So yea.. keep the foam blocks you have in there now, they should last you for at least a few years. You know it is time to rinse when your filter flow rate is not as strong any more.

Im sure you already know this but have a dedicated bucket just for fish keeping.
 
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