FX5 Media How Much?

[Lantz]

Im ordering the Fluval Bio-Max Rings for my FX5 as well as all the other media like the Fluval Pre Filter Media 25.5 OZ

My question is will one box of the Bio Max Rings fill the basket?

And how about the Fluval Pre Filter Media 25.5
One box or more?

Any other suggestions are welcome. my local fish store doesn't carry them and it hard to tell by looking online how big the box is?

Thanks!

 

[Geoey]

i have had best results with filling the 3 baskets with bio max rings one box per basket forget about the prefilter media its a bit of a toss.
Dont use the fluval zero carb either unless you want to ruin your tanks cycle its a bad idea.

 

[Yanbbrox]

Sounds good, leave the carbon for med removal

 

[Lantz]

Ok all three basket with Bio Max Rings
No zero carb at all
What about the regular Fluval Carbon Bags?
Also what pads should I use with this and where

I should mention I will be running a MarineLand 350 mag to polish the water, maybe put the carbon in it?

Thanks for helping a born again newb, Ive been away from the hobby for years.

 

[Geoey]

regular fluval carbon bag should fit inti one of the baskets i would put it in the middle basket but i dont use carbon in my filters.

 

[Geoey]

Sounds good, leave the carbon for med removal

The zero carb is a mixture of ammonia removing granules (kitty litter)
and carbon . i used it once , it is very good at removing ammonia but it starves your filter and ruins your bio cycle .
as far as i can work out carbon is good for removing various toxins from the water but for it to work properly you would have to replace it weekly on larger tanks .

 

[sick_lid]

My fx5 came with 1 box of the rings, and it was enough to fill each basket halfway. I got another and filled the bottom 2 with the rings. All the other carbon stuff and what not is a waste, and the pre-cut filter pads are way expensive.. For the top basket I buy a big roll of foam and just pre-cut it to fit, to trap larger particles. I replace that every couple weeks and it's done great.

 

[Geoey]

My fx5 came with 1 box of the rings, and it was enough to fill each basket halfway. I got another and filled the bottom 2 with the rings. All the other carbon stuff and what not is a waste, and the pre-cut filter pads are way expensive.. For the top basket I buy a big roll of foam and just pre-cut it to fit, to trap larger particles. I replace that every couple weeks and it's done great.

you are better off with more biomedia in the top basket as the water has already passed through a tonne of foam by the time it gets to the top basket.

 

[Gator]

As others have stated carbon is a waste unless you are removing medications from water. Not enough people know that when you use carbon it must be replaced periodically or else once exhausted it will start releasing everything its absorbed back into the water. If you want a polishing pad for the FX5 go to Wal-Mart and buy the polyester quilt batting and cut it to fit. Its just like the fiber fill but in a nice rolled up pad and much much cheaper than the crap at your LFS which is the exact same stuff.

 

[Lantz]

Really good info guys! thanks for the help and the tips on the polishing pads (polyester quilt batting )