fx5 maintenance

[reptileguy2727]

Awesome link to get rid of that stupid water spill with every FX5. Whay didn't I think of that...

 

[drdrewr]

I always recommend cleaning any filter once a month. If you let it sit forever all of that debris will breakdown and end up as nitrate and phosphate (algae, lower water quality, etc.). Most filters have a significant amount of bypass, so even with completely clogged media you can still have a decent amount of flow.

Remember that a filter does not remove waste from the water , it only collects it for you to remove. If you don't remove it you are not filtering that well.

Once a month at most is where it's at!!! Moving particulates from your tank to you filter does "NOT" get rid of them. It only means they break down in the filter instead of the aquarium. Clean your filters "regularly" and partial water changes on a weekly basis and you fish will be health and happy.

 

[bigkahuna]

the foam that comes with the fx5 is 10 ppi right have any of you tried 20 ppi foam and where do you get it . i dont want to use polishing pads they clog up to fast , i have polishing pads in my hob which are easy to change. thanks

 

[reptileguy2727]

The finer the foam the faster it will clog. This also means that the faster it clogs the better it is cleaning. Ideally any filter should be cleaned monthly.

In my FX5 I use the normal foam in the outer rings and in the center of the top tray I pack in polyester pillow stuffing. How tightly you cram in the pillow stuffing dictates how fine it filters and how long it takes to clog. This is also a nice cheap media option. (The center of the other two trays I would fill with Seachem Matrix.)

 

[NSKIRK559]

I clean mine about 3-5 months but depends on stock I like to stock heavy so sometimes 2-3 months but I also run 2 on each tank!

 

[borkowski66]

My question is if any of you are using the fluval bio media do you actually rotate some of the old out and replace with new every 3 months or however long they say to or just leave it as is.

 

[rhodes_96]

My question is if any of you are using the fluval bio media do you actually rotate some of the old out and replace with new every 3 months or however long they say to or just leave it as is.

If you have it pre-filtered, just leave it as it is. If it becomes gummed up with sludge from not prefiltering, just wash it really well in some tank water and re-use. The only time you should ever need to change or clean bio media of this type is if it becomes so clogged up with fish waste, that your normal wash it with tank water doesn't clean the sludge off it, or the media has disintegrated.

 

[robroy]

I replaced the Fluval foam blocks with 30 ppi foam. Have noticed better mechanical filtration but not increased maintenance. Nearly 3 months since last clean and noreduction in flow.

 

[Danger_Chicken]

I always recommend cleaning any filter once a month. If you let it sit forever all of that debris will breakdown and end up as nitrate and phosphate (algae, lower water quality, etc.). Most filters have a significant amount of bypass, so even with completely clogged media you can still have a decent amount of flow.

Remember that a filter does not remove waste from the water , it only collects it for you to remove. If you don't remove it you are not filtering that well.

+1 the filter is the dirtest part of the tank (if it's doing it's job). If you leave your canister for several month, like 6, it becomes a nitrate factory. The DOC's build up and the water discolors. You may not notice the discoloration unless you do a huge water change or have another tank close by with clean water, then the yellowing becomes obvious. If you belong to a fish club, check on the bags of fish before the auction, the difference in water color between hobbyist is amazing. And it all comes down to maintenance pratices.