I have never changed my foam pads on my fx5s after 3 1/2 years but i am noticing bypass, the water is murky. How long before you fx5 users have changed your foam pads?
FX5 Foam Pads
- Thread starter vfrstephen
- Start date
i've never left mine in for more than a year. i do use the backflush thing to make them last longer though. when i do a water change (once or twice a week)i use the drain on the FX5 it helps the pads last longer. i take them out and rinse them in tank water about every 3 or 4 months (unless there is a problem).
i buy these pads on ebay.. http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Foam-Filter-...ultDomain_0&hash=item3a5acdd471#ht_1476wt_905
i buy these pads on ebay.. http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Foam-Filter-...ultDomain_0&hash=item3a5acdd471#ht_1476wt_905
there is a vendor on ebay from AU that sells the pads too.. i just look under filters and then search for FX5.
I replaced mine completely with 30 ppi foam. I bought a large sheet and cut it to size. I made it deep enough so that it was flush with the baskets above and below, so reducing bypass. I do think its made a difference with regards mechanical filtration
vfrstephen;4777468; said:
It's not bypass that you have noticed, it's just larger particles that the foam inserts do not remove. To remove those finer particles, finer filtration after the outer foam inserts should to be employed. The outer foam inserts should last for many years.
Fluval make two pads for this filter. A blue fine filtration pad for continuous flitration, and a white super fine pad that will need to be repaced approx every 2 weeks as it will clog and cause micro bubbles in a short service interval.
From experience the blue pad is sufficient and should last at least a few months. I have tried other pads and custom jobs, but they either clog very fast or don't filter good enough. I found the fluval blue pad a good balance. You only need one pad and that gets placed on top of the media in the top basket. You will need to remove some media from the top basket so the pad sits flush with the inside top of the basket. (Approx 3/4" thick). When your system starts producing sufficient micro bubbles continuously, this means time to clean the filter.
the fine polishing pads are a waste of money and make filter maintenance twice as much work. whether you use the blue or the white, they are both unnecessary. your water will be sparkly and clean with just the regular foam pads and bio-media in the center section of the baskets as long as you do regular water changes and gravel vacs.
I used the polishing pads before they do make the water crystal clear but they clog up after 5-7 days and cause lots of fine bubbles, also its a pain taking everything out just to replace them.