FX5 Custom plumbing: Start to finish.
- Thread starter PDRed302
- Start date
Instructions for the FX5....
¶ Top Media Basket
Pre-Filter, Carbon, and Zeo-Carb are all options for
screening small particles from the water. Pre-Filter is
inert, acting solely to create a screen. Carbon removes
dyes, medications, and solubilized wastes that a simple
screen cannot. Zeo-Carb removes ammonia; it is often
used in beginning setups to keep initial ammonia
spikes lower than would occur naturally.
· Middle Media Basket
The middle media basket is useful for chemically
modifying water. Peat Granules, for example will
gradually lower the waters pH level.
The middle chamber is a good place to begin the
biological reduction process as well. Many media
types provide both mechanical filtering and
biological treatment, creating an excellent
environment for beneficial bacteria to proliferate.
Even many chemical compounds will support colonies
of bacteria. With the primary mechanical purification
of the water stream occurring in the foam inserts, it
is typical to load additional biological
media into the middle media basket.
BioMax and extra Carbon or
Ammonia Remover are commonly
used. This is also the place where
more exotic media, chosen for a
specific application, can be used.
¸ Bottom Media Basket
This basket receives the purest water
stream, making it the proper place
for dedicated biological media.
Placed here, BioMax, for example,
provides optimal biological power in
a very compact ring. With a multitude
of pores perforating both the surface
and the internal matrix, it is an ideal
substrate for this position. To capture
any small particles remaining in the water before it
reaches this final stage of filtration, consider layering
a Polishing Pad, a fine mechanical filter, on top of
any biological or chemical media placed in the
bottom basket. This will prevent the clogging of the
delicate pores of the media used here, enhancing its
useful life.
Thanks for the info, I'm going to have to break down and get my hands on one of these soon to see how it's put together, I had been thinking it used the same water pattern as another filter I have worked with.
This was in my instruction book describing the water flow for the FX5.
Filtration always begins
with a mechanical stage of waste
particle removal as water is drawn
through the foam that lines the
perimeter of each basket. It continues
as water is pumped down through
the media in the three baskets.
Great job. Any way you can take a close up shot if the intake and the sprinkler fitting you used?
Random shot I took of the part before the build.
Out in the garage filing the part down to fit the strainer better. After sanding/filing I hit it with a lighter to get rid of the rough surface.
In tank:
I realize now that the entire strainer setup could have been even simpler by shortening the intake 3/4" downtube and using the same 3/4' to 1/2' threaded reducer. Then using the stock fx5 intake tube along with the spare rubber coupling they include in the filter setup it should just fit right over the threads like a barbed fitting. Live and learn; I may try a few things different on the next build out but until then, this setup seems to be working just fine.
Good build. I used to have Purigen in my FX5 but stopped as I found after a while it would reduce the flowrate significantly-it'd develop a film on it or just clog with dirt and the water wouldn't pass through it easily.
I also replaced the Fluval foam with 30ppi sections and this had a good effect on water clarity-better than the standard foam section supplied
I also replaced the Fluval foam with 30ppi sections and this had a good effect on water clarity-better than the standard foam section supplied
Wow, the before and after is just amazing...you just made me want a FX5 even more. Good job on the custom plumbing. I like it
