well, got alittle question- i have 2x fx5 running in my 300g-had it running for about a month now-how often should i do maintenance- water parameters are great, water is clear...btw i have prefilters media on top, biomaxs in 2&3 with seachem thanks peep
fx5 maintenance
- Thread starter elcid69
- Start date
My FX5 is set up much the same way on my 125g, the tank is on the lite side of being heavily stocked.
I clean mine about once every 2-3 months, just swapping out the filter material in the top tray. The side sponges I replace 2 every 6 months or so.
As Joey47 said I would find a method of altering between the two.
I clean mine about once every 2-3 months, just swapping out the filter material in the top tray. The side sponges I replace 2 every 6 months or so.
As Joey47 said I would find a method of altering between the two.
IMHO... 2 - 3 months....
I think that the filter is just getting established after only one month.... Also, I have been keeping the carbon seperate.... this way if I ever have a problem I dont have to breakdown multiple filters... 8 Fluval 405, 2 tanks, 125G & 110G, 4 filters each, only 2 have carbon... all carbon.
Lately, I have been experimenting with foam covers over the intakes.... in an attempt to keep the water going into the filters a littel cleaner so it should not need to cleaned as often... seems to working... I have cleaned the foam sleeves about 4 times and it is realy pre-filtering a lot of junk that would otherwise go right in to the filter...
Good Luck...!
mm
I think that the filter is just getting established after only one month.... Also, I have been keeping the carbon seperate.... this way if I ever have a problem I dont have to breakdown multiple filters... 8 Fluval 405, 2 tanks, 125G & 110G, 4 filters each, only 2 have carbon... all carbon.
Lately, I have been experimenting with foam covers over the intakes.... in an attempt to keep the water going into the filters a littel cleaner so it should not need to cleaned as often... seems to working... I have cleaned the foam sleeves about 4 times and it is realy pre-filtering a lot of junk that would otherwise go right in to the filter...
Good Luck...!
mm
I ran an FX5 on a heavily stocked 215 with only foam and bio-media with no complications for about two years. My regular routine was to clean the filter montly during a water change. I would take all foam semi-circles and bio-media and rinse them with tank water. I would ring out the foam and rinse the inside of the canister with tank water. Once cleaned of all waste, I would reassemble and finish the water change. Once the tank was refilled I would restart the filter. This kept the water very clear and nutrients at very low levels. As long as the media is kept submerged and in aerated, the bacterial colony will be fine. It is imperative however to ONLY RINSE FILTER MEDIA WITH TANK WATER. Rinsing with tap water or any chlorinated water will kill all beneficail bacteria.
In your case, depending on stocking levels and the amount of waste being produced, you can tailor the schedule as needed. I would probably clean filters on an alternating basis i.e. one this month, then the other next month.
Good Luck.
In your case, depending on stocking levels and the amount of waste being produced, you can tailor the schedule as needed. I would probably clean filters on an alternating basis i.e. one this month, then the other next month.
Good Luck.